ENGLISH GOSSIP.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 873, 23 November 1888, Page 11

ENGLISH GOSSIP.

(FROM OUR GOSSIPING CORRESPONDENT.) London, October 5.

Whenever an individual, a company, or a nation requires money it is to London the impecunious come, for here is money galore, and any amount may be had for the asking, providing always that the asker knows his business. City people tell me that money was never more plentiful than it is at the present time. “Yes, Sir,” said a smart dapper stockbroker the other day, while imbibing in “ Shortts.” “Yes, Sir,” we have millions waiting to be used? It makes a man’s mouth water to hear of such tempting lots. It has tempted more men. than one, judging"' from tlie number of borrowers wild are 1 flocking here from all parts of the world. A business man is here from Brazil, where a company has been, floated to run a main trunk line of railway across the continent from the Atlaniic to the Pacific. The company has on ! y one difficulty—the common want incidental to humanity in all parts of the world—a want of money,; so as fast as steam could bring him a representative came to this great city to raise some six or eight millions, and rumour hath it that he will get it. It is a notable fact, and, in all, a curious fact, that although you have very smart people all over the British colonies, as a rule their only idea of borrowing money is to mortgage their lands, their stocks, their railways, tlii-jr docks* and what not. But our keen business Americans cousins go ono belter when approaching the coffers of solid John Bull. An incident in this line is now before the

money-lenders of this city. . In New York there are some extensive lager beer breweries. An idea struck one of the proprietors that as John Bull does not as a rule drink lager beer, and as no one lia3 had enterprise enough to start a lager brewery in England, there was a grand scope for the American brewers to do a large trade across “ the herring pond.” Tho idea was no sooner matured than straight to London came a smart attorney, Samuel Untermeyer, the representative of the New York Brewers’ Association. He had not been in London many days when, after he had explained his mission, money poured in upon him from all quarters. He says he came here in the interests of the Henry Clausen Brewery Company to • secure English capital for the enlargement of that famous brewery, with the view of exporting lager beer to England. His success exceeded his expectations to such an extent that he could only sell to each applicant half the amount of shares they applied for. He raised in a very short time L 600,000, and says it is his intention in another twelve months to raise this capital to four millions. The new company will establish depots all over England for the sale (both retail and wholesale) of high-class lager beer. Before this smart attorney had time to get back to New York his LlO shares were in demand at a premium of LI. 1 mention this to show how any genuine commercial enterprise can and does get well supported by English capitalists. On the other hand, it illustrates the smartness of the Americans as a business people in getting English capitalists to take up shares in an industry whose product is to be consumed principally in England. Another point shows how peculiar English people are in their slowness in taking up new industries. It is just probable that, say a few years ago, had an Englishman tried to float a layer beer.brewery in this country he would have failed, and yet now a pushing American can do a big “ biz.”‘ T wonder wly you in New Zealand have not long ere this started lager beer breweries, it is a beer better suited to your climate than the heavy and often adulterated English beer. I know you do brew splendid ale in your country, but I feel assured that, once introduced, draught lager—bright, sparkling, refreshing, and almost non intoxicating—would have a big run. There is a big profit in it too, for it can be made at less cost than the ordinary beer yon are accustomed to. Now that this New York firm have tested the English money market, the Philadelphia brewers are going to follow suit. The murders in the East End are getting monotonous from the fact that they are°so much alike. Each victim is of the same class of life ; each one is in about the same position —that is financially—and what is more peculiar, each one is about ;he same height, age, and colour, and the details of one case are almost an exact facsimile of the other. It is getting dreadfully monotonous from its frequency. We scarcely take up a paper but what we quite expect to see auother “ horror.” What is more monotonous is the steroeotyped expression in each case, “ The police have no clue.” It is needless to say the people of this city are unsparing in their opinion of the police. . It is not so much tho fault- of the men as their leaders, and it is openly spoken that no good will be done until Sir Charles Warren, the chief of the London police, and Mr Matthews, the. Home Secretary, are removed from their position. One suggestions made for the apprehension of the murder fiend is a good one. It is proposed to get a few muscular young men, of medium height, and dress, them as women, and have them well armed, and to act as “decoys” in the East End, say in Aldgate, the Whitechapel and Commercial-roads, as well as in the neighbourhood of the Minories and Radeliff High way. These “ decoys,” it is thought, may be able in time to meet with the fiend, and then, if he attempted any of his peculiar tactics they could fire upon him, and so lead to his arrest. I hear on very good authority that several . young medical students, prompted by the spirit of adventure so strong in this class, as well as for the substantial reward offered, have for several nights past promenaded the above localities, thoroughly well disguised and above all well armed, but at the time of writing, beyond ordinary adventures, they have not had much success. The theory that wild harum-scarum medical students were hoaxing the public by thus disposing of female “ subjects,” is exploded by the fact that in almost eaoh case the victim has been identified. The victims are so far (and the dates) —April 8, Emma Elizabeth Smith, aged 45; August 7, Martha Tabram, aged 37 ; August 31, Mary Ann Nicholls, aged 47 ; September 8, Annie Chapman, aged 47 ; September 30, Elizabeth Stride, aged 45 ; September 30, Kate Conway, aged 43.

The Lord Mayor-elect for the ensuing year is Alderman Whitehead. He was the head of a firm in London in what is known as the “Bradford trade,” but retired in 1881. A few years ago he made a lengthened tour of Australia and New Zealand.

I suppose every Sunday school scholar in the Colony is or has been a subscriber either to the British Workman or the Band of Hope Review. Such readers will be interested in knowing that ihe editor for many years of those papers-—Mr Frederick Thomas Gammon —is dead. He was only 39 years of age, and .was if or a long time managing partner in the; firm of Messrs S. W. Partridge and Co. - Edison’s improved ■: phonograph is

creating some interest amongst scientific men. It is now a machine of groat perfection. I hear that an enterprising American (of course) firm are making arrangements for interviewing every prominent man and woman of the present age-—politicians, parsons, actors, .-.rtists, journalists, society, leaders, mid “lions” of all kinds, from i mp n r* •or’’! empresses down to Barry, tii - public h-ngman, in ortjer to lidve an hideUbl.- record of their actual voices. Tuns they will secure the exact facsimile of P tea’s marvellous voice as she sings “Home, sweet home.” They will record Henry Irving’s soliloquy in Hamlet, Gladstone’s speech on Home Rule, Sarah Bernhardt in La Tosca, the Prince of Waies as R.W.G.M., etc., etc. These “ pin nograms ” can be duplicated to au endless extent, so that in a few years time they will be as common in our stationers’ shops as yellow back novels, and for, say, one shilling, you will be able to buy Patti’s song, Gladstone’s speech, etc., for your phonograph, and reproduce for the benefit of a bazaar or evening party the exact copy of the priginul in words, intonation, and (almost) volume. Ataprivateexliibitionlhe ocher day of one of these phonographs at Colonel G-nrand’shouseat Lower Norwood, near the Crystal Palace, the Bishop of Nelson C>r Siuei) was present. He was, like others, very much surprised to hear the sound of his own voice reproduced from the instrument. He said he did iiot ‘recognise it as his own, but fancies it was like Ilia mother’s, and it was to him full of “ strange impressive memories.”

Auother new comic paper has made its appearance in Loud m. One would think that being so well; supplied with this class of literature at present, there was hardly an opening for a now issue. But doubtless the projectors h-ivu different views. This new .’youngster, is called “Pick-me-up,” and is publisln-d weekly at one penny. So far ita success seem pretty ■ /■■■: well assured. It is capitally.got up in paper, printing, style of illustrations, &c., and the first two numbers are smartly written, with plenty of “ go.” Many of its paragraphs are after the style of the Sydney Bulletin and are somewhat new to the British public. Ou that score alone I fancy the bantling will thrive, for nowadays the B P, require something new and spicy to tickle their palates. It has become the fashion, or perhaps I may say the mania, for all sorts and conditions of public men and women to write their autobiographies. Mr and Mrs Bancroft, the theatrical managers, actors, &c., set the example,- and now it has become contagious. George Grossmith has published a moat amusing volume on Mb life, entitled “ A Society Clown.” Last but j not least the veteran tenor, Sims Reeves, has, through Simpkin, Marshall and Co., published .“ The Life of Sims Reeves.” lAs there is always a great desire among the reading public to know something ■ about the private life of public men and women, this class of works finds a ready sale. Mr Reeves tells some very funny ; stories of events which have happened to him during a Img life behind the footlights, and I can cordially recommend his : book to colonial readers.

I daresay tho colonial papers have published the ; daring deeds ot ProfessorBaldwin, the intrepid aeronaut, who at the Alexandra Pilace on Muswell Hill drops from a balloon by means of a parachute from an enormous height. He has. been attracting hundreds of thousands of; spectators. There i 3 great risk in his performance, for, shot; Id the slightest mishap happen to his parachute, he would be picked up a smashed mass of humanity. I see by this morning’s papers that the authorities are trying to put a stop to what they term a disgusting exhibition of foolhardiness. There was a capital hoax played the other day in thei West End of town. About midday I saw a large crowd assemble in Leicestersquare. It was rumoured that Baldwin hud made an ascent from the street Suddenly I saw a huge balloon coming over the top of the houses on the nortl side of the Square, apparently from thi direction of the Tottenham Court-road It seemed to be at an elevation of nearl; 2000 ft. As the balloon sailed over th Alhambra the cry was raised “ Baldwi: is dropping,” and sure euough I coul see a parachute detach itself froi the balloon and descend rapid! toward earth. I ran along Castli streat, down St. Msrtiu’s-lane ini Trafalgar-square, to w.itch it fall ; but was too late. It 101 l ilurieg my journey but I learned in a few minutes that tl parachute and the man fell with a gre thud on the roof of the Adelphi Theatr 'Of course au immense crowd gathers and the rumour quickly spread th poor Baldwin was smashed to piect Pushing my way through the crow 1 soon met with a friend w

was in “the swim,” and learned th the whole affair was a gigantic advert! ment, and that the “ man ” was a stufi “ dummy.” This 3mart idea was broug out by the manager of Terry’s Theat from the roof of which the balloon i ascended, and from whence it got blov apparently as I thought, away to j north-west of town. There is an almost universal cry in t country for some sort of protection local industries. “ Save us from fore competition ” is the daily prayer of wo men in many trades. Even the fair have the same tale to tell. Young la< in society are complaining that the k American competition in the marri market is iuining their prospects* T say most of the. eligible men are wo and won by the American girls, while as “local industries,” are leftin the lu: and they want some sort of protectioi

prevent them being classed as chronic old maids. I expect that by the end of this month, or perhaps as soon as the Presi dential election is over, Mr Joseph Chamberlain, the once Radical member for Biruiingham, will marry Miss Endibott; the New York hello. “ Joe,” nstHo people of the midland metropolis always (Sail him, is ijot a novice in matrimony. He has, to my knowledge, ’buried two wives, and, .1 am not sure if he Has not • buried a third. Although he is close upon “ tho half-cen-tury ” he could pass in a crowd for easy 40. He is the best preserved and the best dressed man in the British House of Commons, and I nried not say moat gallant to the ladies. Ever since he has been a widower he has h a cl a most diffi' cult job to - steer clear of the endless eligible girl 3 of all sorts .and conditions who would have not had -the slightest objection to become “wife of the Birmingham .member.” But “not for Joe,” was. his motto. During hi 3 official visit >to America lie met the lovely Endicott." She,, a magnificent blonde, with grand physique, dreamy violet eyes, a rosebud of a mouth, clever, witty, and sparkling in her o myers'ition, a travelled girl, keen, smart, and a thorough woman of the world, as pretty as a picture, and possessing plenty of money, just made up her mind she would be the wife of the great leader of English society and politics, and she has managed “Joe ” so far a 3 his promise of marriage has been given, and as he is a man of undoubted honour, and on her side ‘‘Barkis is willing,” I look upon the marriage as a settled affair. Chamberlain is a very wealthy man, and, of course, need not have looked out for a wealthy bride. But it must be remembered that a Birmingham man never neglects the main chance of turning an honest penny, even if it is supplying idols to the Hindoos or making “ genuine ” relics of Waterloo by , the ton. I forgot to ■ state that Miss Endicott is in her 21styear. Ihear, this last day or two, that another rich Amercian lady is about tc marry a distinguished Englishman. It is Mrs Sheridan, widow of tlie famous General Sheridan, the hero of numerous battles in the great fratricidal war. She is considered to be the handsomest woman in'the whole of the United States, and is-35 years of age, although when in her “ war paint ” she would pass for 25. She is a Roman Catholic, and it is whispered that a noted member of tho British peerage of the same persuasion is about to become her second husband.

Gerald Massey, the poet who was in New Zealand a few years ago on a. lecturing tour, is again thinking of visiting your part of the world. He. has lately written his secret sonnets from Shakespeare, and will, while in the colonies, lecture upon the vexed question, Shakespeare or Bacon. One of his lectures is a' critical reply to the cyphergram of I>6nnelly. Another of your late visitors, G. A. Saia, is invited down to Stratford-on; Avon by the mayor to assist.in unveiling Shakespeare’s statue, which is erected in tile Avon gardens of that historic town. The ceremony takes place next week. Mr Sala will eulogise the memory of “ the immortal Will,” and advocate gener : ally the cause of the Shakespearian drama. One evidence of the improved state of trade in England is the advance in the shipping freights. A conference is to take place next week between shippers, brokers, and merchants, wjien the freight. charges will be discussed, and it is ex T pected that a more uniform rate will be adjusted. Freights are still advancing, and I hear that one large steamer trading to Sydney has taken out nearly 1000 tons at 80s per ton. • '. The “ Beauty Show ” at Spa, in Belgium, has concluded, and no end of jealousy lias been engendered thereby. I gave in my last letter some particulars of the competition. The first prize of 5000 francs was awarded to Mademoiselle Berthe Soucaret, df Guadeloupe, a lovely brunette of 18. The second prize of 2000 francs fell to Mademoiselle Angele del Rosa, a native of the fishy town of Qstend. She is a pretty blonde, aged 16. It 13 said she had influential friends" who had something to do with gaining for her' second place. The third prize was taken by a stout lady from Vienna, but who has a strangely familiar British name—Mary Stevens. Her grandfather came from Suffolk, ‘and settled in the' Austrian capital half a pentary ago.. He had been in tlio Austrian army, and on his retirement had gone into the horse dealing trade, which his son, the father of Mary, now carries on. Mary Stevens has a typical English face. She is a blonde, with thorough rosy, healthy English cheeks, and very dark hazel eyes. Whpn the awards were made known there was a general rumpus among the rival beauties, and most of them’ who did hot get a prize were simply furious. One fair, fat and furious beauty spat ’ deliberately in the face of Mdlle. Soucaret, the first prizo winner, and called her most unladylike names. A Mdlle Vilain acted moßt villainously for being only fourth on the list of beauties. She smacked the third lady across the faco with her fan, gently hinting at the same time, that her opponent was a small member of the porcino tribe. It is said that the “ beanty competition ” will bo held next year in the Crystal Palace, so if any colonial “ poet’s conception ” wants world-wide fame, and an endless amount { of admirers, and as many suitors for her hand and heart as the most extravagant ■- girj could wish, lot her take a return ticket by one of the Direct steamers and \ visit Lopdon next September. • i Our cold wet summer is euded. We

I have had a few weeks of real fine autumn | weather and now comes again “ the winter |of our discontent.” Already in the far north winter has come ih earnest. From Lancashire northward heavy snow has fallfen thi3 week; and great damage was done to crop 3 riot yet gathered. The weather wise foretell a very hard winter, and so far there is every prospect. One sign* which an informant who has studied the matter considers, infallible, is that this year the swallows loft these shores at least three weeks earlier than psual. I suppose from your English files you' will have a full account of the doings of the Maori football matches in London. I did not go to see them play, for pressing reasons kept me in another direction, but I hear that it is not likely the general public will patronise their matches to any extent, for several reasons. In the first place the Natives are not the ideal Maori one reads about or saw when the “King” was here. “Them ain’t real Maoris ” said a horsey-looking individual to mo on the knifeboard of a ’bus this morning. “Why they ain’t black, and they ain’t tattoed like . the old codger what come here some time ago.” This opinion seems pretty general, and so I gather that the supporters principally of their matches will be lovers of football, that is so far as most of our large towns will go. But in smaller places, of course, there will be a lot of curiosity to see what; some people still stupidly think “cannibal Natives” play football. I hope the colonials will do well —that is, from a financial point of view ; but I am afraid that a severe English winter will greatly try the health of those members of the team who hail from sunny Ha vkes Bay or warm, muggy Auckland. Your readers will possibly remember tho Langworthy case, which created such interest a couple of years ago. Well, during this latest craze “Is marriage a failure ?” which the Telegraph has discussed from all poiuts, Mrs Mildred Langworthy has written a capital article in one of the weekly papers giving her candid opinion of married life, and as her experience was a peculiar one it is worth reading her views on the matter. Her verdict is—“Yes, marriage is a most deplorable failure.” She says in her article : “I notice that tho woman who speaks kindest of her husband is the widow.” Another paragraph in her article is so good you must pardon me for quoting it verbatim: “Too often matrimonial failure may be traced to the fact that courtesy was bid farewell to on the threshold of the bridal home. If men would carry a little, ever so little, of the chivalry of the lover, or woman, the smallest bit of the pretty fascinations of the fianebe into their married life, how much pleasanter their home would be ! Why should husband and wife bo less courteous to each other than they are Compelled to bo to their very servant 1 Says a devoted lover, tripping over his lady-love’s feet one day before marriage, * Oh, my darling ! have I hurt your tootsy-wootsies V The same gentleman having after marriage committed the same awkwardness, turns savagely round with ‘Good Heavens! woman; can’t you keep your d d hoofs out of the way V ” That’s it. “ Tootsy-wootsies ” before marriage, “d —d hoofs” after marriage.

Mrs Langworthy says, in conclusion:— “The whole system (divorce) is debasing, demoralising, and renders ridiculous the marriage clause, ‘ till death do us part.’ For death read divorce. If inan and woman did but know that the partner he or ghe had taken for better or worse, rpust be kept for better or worse, they would try nnd make tho best of it, and so marriage might become in time what it was meant to bo, instead -of what it is now—a good enough situation till I can find a better.”