LONDON GOSSIP.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1130, 27 October 1893, Page 35

LONDON GOSSIP.

BPECIAL TO NEW ZEALAND MAIL.» (FROM OCR SPECIAL CORRESPONDINT.) THE MODEL EARL AND COUNTESS. London, September 1. It would be hard to find two near relatives more unlike than the new GovernorGeneral of Canada, and his uncle, Lord Stanmore, better known to you as Sir Arthur Gordon. The latter, whether in Fiji, New Zealand, or Ceylon, was detested for his 'side.' He acted the part of Viceroy in grim earnest, and woe betide luckless guest or officer at Government House who omitted the smallest formality. Now Lord Aberdeen on the contrary is as simple, unaffected a man as ever filled high office. He and his Countess have for years laboured hard in various fields of philanthropy. • Let us help others to help themselves,' is her ladyship's motto, and she lives up to it every hour of the twentyfour. One medium which has introduced the Countess to thousands, and through which many useful schemes and societies have been set going, is the monthly magazine Upward and Onward, conducted by herself. In connection with this she has also initiated a children's paper, called Wee Willie Winkie. This is edited by Lady Marjorie Gordon and her brother Lord Haddo, aged 14 and 15 respectively. The Aberdeen children are being brought up on eminently' sensible and practical principles. 1 think I told you a little about them and Wee Willie Winkie some time ago. Besides ordinary lessons with tutors, governesses, dta, Lord Haddo is learning a trade, and both he and his lister can cook. Outside that history of an ideal childhood, ' Lilian's Golden Hours,' I think I have never heard of more fortunate youngsters than these little Gordons. Last week Lady Aberdeen gave a farewell garden party at Haddo House to the eounty. This was to bid friends and neighbours—poor as well as rich—' goodbye,' prior to the family's departure for Canada. Her ladyship specially desired to overlook none who had a claim to come, so to the horror of 'smart' Scot- , land she advertised in the local papers, bidding friends who desired an invitation to write for it. Nothing was said about enclosing a postage stamp for a reply, but 'twas characteristic of the Countess* intense practicality that appended to the invitation were time tables of the local trains together with & list of third class fares.; Wherrin England Lord J and Lady Aberdeen always travel third class. Whether Lord Aberdeen proves a strong enough man for Canada or not it seems certain Lady Aberdeen will have all social Ottawa at .her feet. If there is anything the Canadians love it is something in the shape of camp meetings, strawberry festivals, Sunday school treats, anil mother's meetings. For all such serious high jinks the Countess of Aberdeen's powers of organisation amount to genius. She will be essentially the right woman in the right place with the Canadian ladies, and as leader of Ottawa society. A ROYAL JOB. When our beloved sovereign resolves to have her own way in any matter it is generally to be observed that she gets it. Mr Gladstone and the Government were dead against the Duke of Connaught's being appointed to the command at Aldershot. The G.O.M. has said repeatedly nothing would persuade him to countenance this Royal job. Equity, expediency, and precedent alike demanded the post should be given to Lord Roberts. If it was not, the Governor-Generalship of India would have to be offered to the late Commander in Chief there, and his health made it doubtful whether he could go back for a lengthened sojourn. Even, however, i leavuM; Lord Roberts out, there was Sir EverS Wood to consider. His experience,, rank,vosition, &c, made him (next to Lord moberts) the obvious man for the post, Kid the service would cordially approvm his promotion. Nevertheless last week MR.H. the Duke of Connaught was duly gSetted to Aldershot. Mr Gladstone did noacome down to the House on Tu6sday evliing to defend the job. Mr Camp-bell-Bmnerman was left to do this, and a sad mess he made of it. Nobody has a word to say against the Duke of Connaught. He is universally popular and known to be thoroughly conversant with his duties as a soldier. But that is not enough. The Duke's social anl profes■ional qualities are shared by scores of gallant gentlemen holding Her Majesty's commission. No sane being can doubt that H.R.H. has got this post (the greatest Erize bar one the Army can offer) because e is the Queen's son, and that at least two world - famous and experienced generals who have won battles and borne the burden and heat of the day in many climes have been scandalously passed over on his account. It is this sort of thing that makes many of us feel that we are paying too dearly for our Royalties. DUKE ERNEST. The late Duke Ernest of Coburg was a Very agreeable, highly cultured and musical old gentleman, but he had one tiresome foible. He thought he was an up-to-date Solomon, and that his relations ought to consult him about their all affairs. The Prince Consort did write to his brother

pretty frequently, and when he died Duke Ernest anticipated Her Majesty would constitute him her chief adviser. She did nothing of the sort, however, ignoring his voluminous despatches, and after a 'time (it is suspected) not even reading them. Still no absolute breach occurred till the occasion of Princess Louise's marriage. Concerning the heinous impropriety of this union the Duke expressed himself in unmeasured terms, and the Queen hitting back smartly there was literally a ' row royal.' Sir Theodore Martin's life of Albert the Good exacerbited this quarrel, the Duke demurring strongly to certain statements about his brother's politics. Later in his memoirs His Serene Highness contradicted them, publishing without permission a number of Prince Albert's letters. After this the Queen and the Duke became strangers, and remained so till a few months back. Small as is the principality to which the Duke of Edinburgh has succeeded — its entire area is only 755 square miles — he becomes a German reigning Prince, with all the rights, &c, appertaining thereto, and will in future take precedence even of his elder brother the Prince of Wales. At present there are many pre- < judices both against himself and the Duchess at Coburg, and if they are to become popular and powerful in Germany they will have to walk warily. In England the Duke of Edinburgh's notorious stinginess has caused him to be, if not actually disliked, the least popular of the Royal Family. Though far wealthier than the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Edinburghs have entertained but little either at Devonport or in town and always on a frugal scale. Their boy, Prince Alfred, is said to be a nice lad and well brought up. He will, of course, complete his education in Germany. The late Duke cf Coburg was a witness of Orsieni's attempt on the life of Emperor Napoleon, and narrowly escaped damage himself. He was in Paris at the time, on one of his self-imposed missions on behalf of German unity, and was smok ; ng a cigar at the entrance of the Opera House, awaiting the arrival of the Imperial party, when the incident occurred. There is an account of the occurrence in the Duke's ' Memoirs.' He says :—' The evening was as mild as if we were in the South, and the cloudless moonlight seemed to invite us to lounge a little longer up and down in the front of the theatre. . . . Meanwhile the cry 'Vive l'Empereur' sounded from the Rue and Pelletier. We threw our cigars away and re-entered the Hall. At that moment we heard a detonation which at first gave me the impression that the company had fired. We turned to the door to see what had happened. In the same instant a second bomb exploded under the approaching carriage of the Emperor, by which coachmen, horses, servants and lancers of the escort were knocked down. Cries sounded from the ■treet, mingled with the lamentations of the wounded and shrieks for help. I wai still standing there, petrified with horror, when the Emperor and Empress rushed in. The Empress seized me by the arm, and said, pretty calmly, ' Sauvez moi !' The Emperor was- like one stunned ; he staggered, and I thought he was wounded. His hat was a litHe knocked in and torn on one side by a bullet. Before I had collected myself, a third and still more fearful explosion followed, quite close to us. The bomb must have been thrown straight at the door of the hall. Fragments of the petard and bullets smashed the windows and rebounded from the ceiling. 1 dragged the Empress, whom I had on my arm, away with me, and recollect having knocked down some person who blocked the way as I was endeavouring to reach the staircase leading to the box. The Emperor appeared at a loss iti which direction to turn. Then he followed us upstairs, and at last we all reached the box.' The late duke, by the way, was rather disgusted with the publishers of his widely read ' Memoirs.' They paid him nothing for his labours (he did not look for any honoui) and gave him but a very limited number of free copies. Consequently he had to buy a large number to give to his friends and relations. THE FURNISS «FRACAS.' Mr Swift Mac Neill is not exactly beautiful. He has a rather prominent upper jaw, with large teeth, which, when angry, be protrudes. Still the honourable member does not bear even a remote resemblance to the monkey man With his name underneath in Punch (Toby M.P.'s Diary) of August 23rd, and one can scarcely wonder at his resenting such a caricature violently. *I didn't mind your drortng me as a potato,' he wrathfully remarked to Lika Joko, punching that podgy and much disconcerted humorist the while in his ribs and waist. 4 1 laughed when yer likened me to a bear, yer blanked, blanked, little penny-a-liner, but I'm if I stand being a baboon. So consider yerself assaulted !' This was in the lobby, but as Mr MacNeill spoke below his breath few members noticed that a * fracas' (as it was subsequently described) had commenced. Presently, however, it occurred to an official that Mr Mac Neill was digging Mr Furniss in the ribs rather harder than the exigencies of a joke demanded, and that the flabby little artist scarcely seemed to be enjoying the fun. So be intervened. Mr Furniss then retreated to the press gallery. John Burns was reported to have said he saw Mac Neill shaking Furniss like a dog and tweaking his ear. This hurt the

caricaturist's feelings, and he wrote Burns an indignant epistle demanding * retraction of the 'offensive report.' Honest John was more than equal to the occasion. He admitted there had been some chaff in the smoking room of the House about the ' dastardly assault,' and that he had with misplaced facetiousness •given an ironical account thereof. He added, ' I regret to say 1 did not see yon shaken like a dog, and I am sorry I did not witness the pulling of your ear.' This retort almost equals the enigmatic apology of a French actor who, having been hissed off the stage, came on again and called the audience canaille. 'They'll pull the house down if you don't beg their pardon,' cried the terrified manager ; ' pray, pray do.' The delinquent, with bo /red head, again faced the storm — * Ladies and gentlemen : I said you were scoundrels ; it is true. I apologise ; I am wrong.'

STAMP COLLECTORS. The stamp-collecting mania is by, no means moribund. Only last Friday a philatelist gave £6BO for two stamps, the penny red and two-penny blue of Mauritius of 1847, with the words ' Post Office ' on the left side. There are only two of these specimens in England, and they are both in the Tapling Collection in the British Museum. In the world there are believed to be 14, all in collections of the first importance. Forty-three stamp sales took place this season, 24,049 lots realising £27,580. At one a British Guiana stamp fetched £202. SIR P. BUCKLES' AND THE AGENTGENERALSHIP. The absurd story which some of the papers recently published to the effect that Sir Patrick Buekley wis coming Home presently to supersede Mr Perceval has led to the Agent-General receiving flattering, if somewhat embarrassing proof that his work has not passed entirely unnoticed at this side. Last week all sorts and conditions of Anglo-colonists called upon him to condole and enquire, and seemed really pleased when they learnt the report was a canard. One noble lord (not unknown to New Zealanders) had worked himself up into righteous indignation on the subject and got the length of announcing that he should present a memorial to the colonial Government protesting before Mr Perceval could interject it was unnecessary. Possiblf Sir Patrick Buckley hopes to be made Agent General when Mr Perceval's term comes to an end. It would be a perfectly legitimate aspiration. As, however Mr Perceval's term has still 18 months to run, and he has no thought of retiring, neither his friends nor Sir P. Buckley's need unduly excite themselves. Many things may happen in 18 months. Moreover, one takes it for granted that with a man like Mr Seddon at the head of the Government there will be no jobbery, arid that when the question of the Agent-Generalship doas crop up again the person will be appointed who seems most likely to be of real service to the Colony. NEW ZEALAND CONTROL OF SAMOA. The British Australasian cannot agree with the New Zealand Herald's suggestion that your Government should be given the control of Samoa. It says : There is one grave objection to the proposal that New Zealand should take the oversight of Samoa, which does not apply to the case of the Raratonga group with anything like the same force, owing to the comparative insignificance of the latter. If New Zealand wdre made responsible for the administration of Samoa, she could not fail to be drawn into a maelstrom of foreign politics, which it is very desirable, in the interests of all the colonies, should continue to be the sole concern of the Imperial authorities. There might then be risk of England being involved in difficulties with foreign Powers which might not be confined to the case of Samoa, but might, by a natural process of extension embroil us with France in regard to the New Hebrides or the recedivists question ; indeed, it is difficult to say where the trouble would stop if the colonies were once involved in independent relations with foreign Powers. The late Chief Justice Higinbotham was a great advocate of colonial autonomy, but he had an equally keen respect for the prerogatives of the Imperial Government, and he was Btrongly of opinion that, whilst Imperial interference should not be permitted in Australian local concerns, Australia had not right to a voice in the direction of England's foreign policy. To constitute New Zealand the suzerain of Samoa would be to incur the risk of her clashing with the foreign Powers interested after ' a fashion, which might open the door to very serious consequences, which no one having the interests of the Empire or the colonies at heart could contemplate without dismay.

THE AUSTRALIAN PARTY. London, September 9.

There has been a good deal of discussion in Anglo-Colonial circles this last week anent the probable utility of the so-called Australian Party, and the desirability of extending its limits to hon members connected with all self-governing colonies. To give a certain person his due, there can be no doubt the motion originated with Hogan, M.P.

Sir Charles Dilke admits this. He says: —"The first idea was to form an Australian group to give an eye to telegraph and mail questions, and anything that might crop up. Soon, however, it was decided to extend the scope and to look after Australasian interests. Sir Jno. Gorst was anxious New Zealand should not be left out in the cold. But, as you know, the affairs of the Australias and New Zealand are not at all on a level, and so I suggested we should form ourselves into a party to watch after the self-governing colonies." An interviewier suggested the AgentsGeneral might resent the formation of the party, but Sir Charles said he thought most of them approved it. "We are," he declared, " most anxious not to do anything to lessen their authority." The Agents-General as a matter of fact neither approve nor disapprove at present. Like most people they see several possibilities before the party. It may become a useful and powerful lever to them, if, without attempting to meddle with each others' affairs, the Canadians and Cape folk loyally support the Australians, and vice versa. For example, in such questions as the renewal of the San Francisco mail contract on equitable terms, or the granta subsidy to the "Vancouver service, the Australian Party will be able to enormously strengthen the hands of the AgentGeneral making the claim, if it chooses. On the other hand, if the party is to be made a vehicle for the self-advancement of hon members, who shall be nameless, and an excuse for the perpetual, paltry heckling of the Colonial Secretary and Postmaster - General, it may grow into a nuisance, boring the House and retarding legislation. Sir Charles Dilke's notion is that the party should meet whenever there is a colonial subject on which it seems desirable to take action in the Commons. "It is not," he says, "of course to be supposed there will be absolutely united action, for amongst us are a great many shades of opinion; not only on Home politics, but in colonial affairs. Our great object is to secure adequate attention to colonial topics in the Commons." Quite so ; "adequate attention," but not for honourable members of Mr Hogan's calibre to be continually trying to impose colonial topics of minor importance on the already direfully over-weighted Legislature.

MURRAY S HANDBOOK TO NEW yfc % ZEALAND. It is now fully two months since Dr Pennefather put the finishing touches to the literary portion of his Handbook to New Zealand. It is now complete in type, and would be published forthwith but for the fact that though up to date, maps so kindly promised Dr Pennefather by your Surveyor-General have not yet reached Messrs Murray. Instead, the publishers have received a letter stating that the maps cannot be delivered before Christmas. Messrs Murray have, therefore, three alternatives. They must either issue the. guide minus maps, a proceeding not calculated jto enhance its utility or popularity; get the maps prepared in England a costly proceeding involving fully a month's delay—or else wait till the New Zealand maps arrive, and so miss the sales of the coming tourist season. As under the most favourable circumstances Messrs Murray did not anticipate making a large profit on the work, the adoption of any one of these plans will probably end in a loss to them. They seem to favour the issue of a guide without maps, but Mr Perceval is urging them not to adopt this course, which would certainly destroy half the value of the work to tourists. ACCIDENTS TO NEW ZEALAND SHIPS. During the past ■ few years Messrs Shaw, Savill cannot be deemed-to have had the best of luck with their fleet, for though since the ill-fated Marlborough disappeared, leaving no trace of the manner of her end, they have experienced no casualties causing loss of life, yet minor mishaps have been fairly frequent—the breaking of the lonic shaft being the most serious. But the Shaw, Savill sailers figure pretty often in the overdue list nowadays. The vessels generally turn up or are spoken just after it is announced that re-insurances have been effected at about 12 guineas per cent. Last week that rate was paid on the Homeward bound Euterpe, but the vessel has since been spoken "all well," and re-in-surers are wishing they had not been so precipitate. The most recent accident the company has suffered occurred a few weeks ago in the neighbourhood of the Horn when the Wellington had a dispute as to right of way with an iceberg. The ship, as usual, came off second best, and is now undergoing extensive repairs at Rio. The Mamari, just arrived in London, reports a slight accident to her refrigerating machinery. I understand that a bolt got loose and knocked a hole in some important part of the condensing arrangements. The repairs were a lengthy task, and for five days the whole of the cold air required by the meat cargo had to be supplied by one machine. Apparently this was quite equal to the strain, for no damage to the cargo is observable as yet.

PERSONAL NOTES. Mr Pearce, of Wellington, is back again in London. He has booked his passage to return to New Zealand by the s.s. Orient, sailing October 20th. Miss Reeves (sister of Hon W. P. Reeves) sails by the Ruapehu next Thursday. Mr Malet, of Christchurch, is believed to be at Carlsbad, but no one seems to have heard or seen much of him in Europe. If he visited London he never put in an appearance at the AgentGeneral's.

The Mosgiel rugs sent as a wedding present to the Duke and Duchess of York have arrived just too late to be exhibited with the other gifts at the Imperial Institute. This is a sad pity, as they are

.-..,:■ . -•:..• ■. ' .'..■. ■. ■.: ■■• ; a-"'- ■.:■••< y\ ' ■,,,:'* exceedingly fine, and should undoubtedly. have attracted much admiring attention. Lady Buckley, after a short, stay witk her cousin in London, has gone to visit friends in Scotland. Thence I believe she proceeds to the Emerald Isle to await Sir Patrick's arrival after the close of the session.

The Agent-General some time ago joined the Golf Club at Wimbledon, and is one of the most ardent players on the links. Lord Onslow and Sir James Fergusson are in Scotland grouse-shooting. The latter, however, comes south for the meeting of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile.

The brief moments of leisure which Mr C. Rous - Marten, the energetic correspondent of a contemporary, permits himself are occupied in his favourite pursuit of studying and investigating our English railway systems. Last week's Engineer contains an article by him on Mr Webb's famous engine " Greater Britain," for which he has received great kudos from experts. Mr Rous-Marten is an authority on engines, and has obtained permission to ride over many of our principal lines on them. The many friends in. Auckland and elsewhere of Mr and Mrs Henry Reynolds will be grieved to learn that their youngest child, born since their settlement; in the Old Country, has been taken from them. The poor little fellow succumbed to convulsions at Horsebay, Salop, whither his parents had gone for the summer holiday, on Monday week last. He was not quite two years old. The Rev Dr Watters, of St Patrick's College, Wellington, who arrived Home recently, is at present staying at Dundalk, in Ireland.

Colonel Goring's friends will be glad to learn that the operation to his eye has been most successful, and the sight of it is quite restored to him. >jpCaptain Thomas Robert McCoy, who passed away in his 70th year after a brief illness last week at Portsmouth, served with the 96th Foot in the New Zealand War. By his death Portsmouth loses a zealous Conservative and an active member of its magistracy. He was treasurer of the Conservative Central Council, and an ardent Primrose Leaguer. Mr Woodruffe, the veterinary surgeon, who passes all live stock sent out to New Zealand, died rather suddenly last week. He was a capital man for the office, and his charges in the main were fair enough. I told you the Agent-General thought some of them excessive, and was moving to in- [ quire thereinto. It seems this merely re- | ferred to the fee of a guinea demanded for giving a dog a clean bill of health. For a valuable highly-bred animal this might not be too much, but it falls hardly on farmers,' &c, tempted to take out sheep dogs or old favourites of no great money value. Before appointing a new man the AgentGeneral means to see if the tariff cannot be modified.

" IMITATION is the / SINCEREST FLATTERY." The articles most imitated are CLEMENTS TONIC and FLETCHER'S PILLS. WHY? BECAUSE they have the best reputation and are most in demand by the public, consequently every dishonest trader tries to trade 1 on their fame and renown. It is really wonderful that the Australian people are so slow to see the truth as regards the unscrupulous quacks and charlatans wht prey on the credulity of the Australian public. Scarcely a week ever passes but what the press exposes the barefaced and shameful practices of some of these harpies, yet, in face of all they seem to thrive, and the paper who hounds them down most thrives fattest on their advertisements and cracks champagne over each balance-sheet. Clements Tonic and Fletcher's Pills have never. ye \ stooped to deception and misrepresentation. They are scientific therapeutical agents, and vidence as to their value can be found in every district, and such being the case, iti» unnecessary to further extol their virtues.