LONDON GOSSIP.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXXI, Issue 10314, 5 April 1894, Page 2

LONDON GOSSIP.

j>ROII OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT.] LONDON, Feb. 24. THE ANARCHIST OUTRAGE. The wretched Anarchist, Henri Bourdin, who blow himself up in Greenwich Park last Thursday afternoon with an infernal machine, believed to be a bomb of the same nature as that recently used in Pari?, has been credited by the papers wich intending to blow np the Observatory. For the pinposo cf seneafciocal “copy” this was all very well, but the police know better. England is the sole safe refuge the Anarchists have left in Europe, and an outrage here would amount to seif destruction. Bourdin had .£l3 in his pockets, and was about to cross to Paris on Thursday night. On Friday, had all gone wall, er rather ill, there would have been a repetition in. the French capital 'of the Vaiilip.nt horror. Fortunately . for the world the dynamitard never has any luck but bad luck. . Even the Devil seems to ' turn his back upon him. Bourdia’a bomb or machine required, It is conjectured, filling or tinkering in some manner. The safest place at his disposal was a comparatively unfrequented open space, where he could make absolutely certain of being neither overlooked nor caught unawares. The London parks would be too populous even oa a bitter cold afternoon in February, but Greenwich Park was just the place. As a matter of fact, the oaty persons within earshot when the explosion occurred were some schoolboys crossing a path aomo three hundred yards or mote away and a park-keeper. None of them notlctd Bourdin till the explosion took place. It cannot hare been loud, as the boys thought the man bad shot himself. They did not date to go very near, but caw lum apparently kneeling. Ho murmured " Fetch a cab,” and then his head sank forward. The park-keeper’s account of the poor wretch's mutilation ia too horrible to print. Ho died tea minifies later. The affair afforded the police a longcloaired pretest for raiding the Autoaomie or Anarchist Club. Correctly guessing there would be a largo assembly of members on Friday evening to discuss the tragedy. Chief Inspector Melville and a picked* staff appeared oa the scene early, and having quietly invested the citadel, let "ia" the' unsuspicious'members one by one as they arrived. Each Anarchist was thou thoroughly searched, and it is said the trouble well repaid the authorities. A number, of the blacks st political ruffians in Europe are at present enjoying Great Britain’s hospitality. Ordinarily these give the Autonomie, which is closely watched, a wide berth; bub oa Friday in many cases cariosity got the better of caution. On Saturday there was much telegraphing to the Continent, and it is stated more than one important plot has been scotched. Colonel Howard Vincent urged in the House of Commons on Monday that we should show the Anarchists the door as Continental nations do. Mr Asquith, however, explained the Constitution would not permit of that. Ho suggested instead that Continental nations should join us in closely "'watching, scotching, and, whan necessary, punishing “ these pest;.” MB ASQUITH AND DODO. The Home Secretary has this week crowned a .brief career of almost unexampled political success by securing the band in marriage of the most remarkable woman ia London society. Miss Margot Tennant (the presumed original of the famous “ Dodo”) is ns clever as she is beautiful. She inaugurated the exclusive clique known oa “The Souls,” to which Mr Balfour, Mr Asquith, Lord Soaehcry and other interesting men belong, and she ia an enthusiastic Liberal, Miss Tennant (and nob Stanley’s wife) was the original of Millais’ “ Tea or No ?” picture. Mr Asquith is a widower with several young children. Six years ago people would as soon hays thought of his marrying the Queen as: Miss Tennant. Now it is universally pronounced a most suitable match. The lobby gossips find much to entertain them in Mr Chamberlain’s personal animosities. A few years ago Mr Morley was the object of Mr Chamberlain’s bitterest taunts and fiercest sarcasms, but now it is Sir William Harcourb, . Curiously enough, ia the old clays. Sir William used to apt as ■the peacemaker between Mr Morley and Mr Chamberlain. Now he has met with the usual fate of peacemakers, and been drawn into the quarrel. But this will not last long. ■ On Tuesday _ eight a fresh animus was developed against Mr Asquith, who after privately receiving the member foe Birmingham’s felicitation on hia engagement, was publicly tbs recipient of 'some nasty hits.