OUR ENGLISH LETTER

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 7487, 27 May 1885, Page 3

OUR ENGLISH LETTER

/from oca londtn correspondent.) London, April 10. SOCIETY IN LONDON ” ia the title of a book likely to make a stir this season, aad to cause, perhaps, not a little heart-burning, ae it ia tbe mirror held up to certain distinguished persona to enable them to see how they appear to other eyea than their own and their countrymen’a. The volume ia supposed to be written by a certain Count de Monteglns, for many years an at tad. 6of the Austrian Embassy. Many distinguished foreigners, such as M, Taiue, Max O’U-.dl, and others hare been very fres of late with Ih.ir criticisms, so that it must he pre earned there ia something attractive in these island land their inhabitants which induces our friends across the Channel to give ns so much fatherly advice with a view, no doubt, to our moral and intellectual progress. The present volume mingles much praise with some chastisement, bnt the Count ia good matured enough to say of society in the metropolis that it is always misrepresented—by foreigners because they never mix with it long enough to understand it as a whole, by English writers because they are only acquainted with oue or two aspects, “ Society in London,” says the author, (and when yon have seen that you have seen everything) “ may be compared to a piecs of pitch work, which yon look at from one point of view, and it is all very familiar from another, and it is very strange. • • » • ‘ People feel both more at home and more strange in London society than in any other society in tin world. The explanation is that London society is ths most c ism ip-ditan of any iu existence. I shall not err it I say that London ia the only city in Europe which poseeraea a society upon anything like its own scale.” Iu hia opening chapter, the author deals with the Queen and Court life in a free manner—" With the exception of the Duke of Richmond, the Queen has, among statesmen of her epoch, no personal friends who would dare openly express their opinion to Her Majesty, Lord Beaoonefield, who by his adroitness, patient courtierahlp, unbounded and extravagant adulation, had completely overcome the Boyal prejudices against him, which at one time seemed insuperable, and had won the heart and trust of hia sovereign, was the last minister who tally enjoyed the royal favor. Mr and Mrs Gladstone periodically visit Her Majesty, but the personal relations between the Sovereign and the Premier are of a tspid kind, and have been known to be actually strained and chilly.” Tbs lot of the Maids of Honor is then described, and It is asserted their pesition is entirely unenviable. They are expected to know no fatigue and be always within call, as Her Majesty seldom even reads the paper herself. Tbe_ Queen likes young people, and has tew favorites past middle age, and it often becomes tho unpleasant lot of the Marchioness of Ely, who is the Queen’s confidante and manager, to have to tell soma servitor or other that her Roysl mistress is wearied of her presence, aud desires a change ! Thus tho author; but the tale he tells Is not by any means in accordance with what has been generally understood about Her Majesty’s private character, nor does It agree with many of her known and public acts. As to the coming marriage of the Princess Beatrice with Prince Henry of Battenberg, it ia alleged that tbe engagement began really four years ago—the Princess got rather tired of her hnmdrnm life, and secretly espoused herself. When Madame la mere cams to know about it there was a scene, and a rather warm one, too, whilst it lasted. Space forbids me to quote much more, but the work ia full of interest. The account of the Princes is amusing. The future heir to the Throne is sst down as quite a censor of the He ia most particular and fond of sitting in judgl meat and giving an opinion. Whether it be on the cut of a lady’s dress, a marriage, or anything else, the Prince volunteers advice in the best and most genial spirit; but iu all matters of ceremony he is a firm reprover of any deviation from the proper standard. It appears, however, that Her Majesty in bet turn sits upon her son and heir, and gives him a piece of her mind upon occasion. The portraits of public men, from Mr Gladstone downwards, are equally entertaining. Writing of Lnrd Hartington, the present War Minister and fntare Duke of Devonshire, the Count oavs, "He is the embodiment of *Le ipleen,’ He is the embodiment also of English common* sense. One of my compatriot i once fairly Bummed up the sir and demeanor of this distinguished nobleman, when he said to an English friend, ‘What I principally like about your Lord Hartington is his you Jeilauiucdncss' He has hauteqr, but he bss not insolence ; for insolence implies something which is ill-bred or under-bred, and no one can accnse T.ord Hartington of being either. He says little, and presents to most people the front of an impenetrable reserve He is an Englishman to the backbone, and he understands and manages certainly better than Mr Gladstone, and probably better than any other Englishman could, that peculiar amalgam o! prejudice and shrewdness, pasiion and judgment, emotion and sound seme the House of Commons.’’ The sketch of the almost certain to be successor of Mr Gladstone at no distant date is eminently interesting.

COURT NEWS. Her Majesty having gone to Aix lee Bains at a very awkward time, having regard to the momentous dispute with Russia, and other troubles, the messengers who have to travel to and from Germany and Westminster are enjoying a lively time, and their expenses add something to the Budget. There are twelve in all engaged on foreign setyipe, epoh at £4OO a"year, and £1 a day expenses, besides travelling, In addition to the twelve foreign runners, there ate ten at home whose business it ii to make journeys between London, Windsor, Balmoral, or Osborne, or wherever the Court may be. One of these has £250 a year, five £2OO, and four £l5O. These, it should be understood, are only the Foreign Office messengers. All the other Departments have their own staff, but not so well paid. The Queen has taken some work away with her, to wit, the editing of the literary remains of the , Dnke of Albany. There will not be much interest in them except such as attaches tothe gnilelets life of an accomplished and amiable young man. At last the Prince and Princess (the latter looking very charming la green poplin and Irish lace) have set foot on the green shops of Erin’s isle, and contrary to the savage and sullen advice of the Nationalist leaders, have received an enthusiastic welcome from the great mass of the Dublin populace. As the Prince hoe come over in connection with his duties as chairman of the Commission now sitting to inquire into homeless and houseless poor, his visit will be prolonged some time, as he intends to make inquiries in most of the chief towns. So far as the national feeling is as yet displayed, Punch, with usual happy felicity, has hit off the situation, wherein Erin, with her family, is depicted as turning out from the cabin to welcome their Koyal High* nesses. All are glad except one member of the family circle, the little scowling dwarf, who turns mattering away, and to whom the mother says, “ Arrab, thin, ye little divil, are ye gblu' to disgrace the family ?” Of course, too much faith must not be placed ou what is after all only the good tempered enthusiasm of a crowd beat on holiday-making. The deepseated discontent which finds its vent in returning fanatical members to Parliament, will hot be appeased by spectacles of this description ; but it is equally certain that much frothy disloyalty would be smothered in the good sentiment that would be aroused if any member of the Royal Family could be induced to make his home in some pact of the island. Excellent as Her Majesty’s qualities of heart have ever been, she has committed a fata! blunder by showing such ill.cousidered preference for one] portion in_ particular of her dominions. Lord Mayor O’Connor’s declaration that he would haul down the city flag d rectly the Prices landed at Kingstown, has been forestalled in bis intention by some students (so It is supposed) of Trinity, who stole the flag , itself one night; at any rate, it is gone, and though £IOO has been offered for its recovery it is not forthcoming. It was supposed that some wag intended displaying it from the College or other conspicuous place whilst the Prince was making bis entry, bat it was nowiete Ken, and it is possible the Lord Mayor,

having found himself in an awkward predicament, first by insulting bis_ intending visitors, and then by alienating bis National friends by eating bis first defiance, has really stolen the bunting himsalf and hidden it under the bedstead, so as to have a good excuse to fail back upon If assailed by any section of bis enemies.