LONDON CHAT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11400, 18 April 1899, Page 2

LONDON CHAT.

(Fkom Our Own Corrksi-ondint.)

LONDON, March 11. Anxiety lias been expressed nt the contemplated absence from England simultaneously of all four generations in direct .succession to the Throne. "Suppose they should all be killed," queried some of those timid souls who are always in expectation of the dreadful. Yes; it would have been awfully sad! In that case we should have to do homage to Queen Louise I, in the person of the lady who is at present Duchess of Fife. But as it happens the " Yorks " have not gone, and are not going yet, though the " Waleses " have departed. And we fully hope and expect to see them all hack again, alive and hearty. While we all love and esteem the Queen's good and kind-hearted daughter, Princess Christian, we cannot bring ourselves to regard her as a sufficiently exalted figure to preside at a Royal Drawing-room. When it was announced that the first two Draw-ing-rooms of the season would be held— not by the Queen or the Princess of Wales, but by Princess Helena—a widespread feeling of disappointment and discontent arose. The grumbling was both loud and deep. A sort of feeling seems to prevail that to bo presented at a Drawing-room held by anyone but the Sovereign or the wife of the Heir-apparent lacks a certain cachet which is imparted in the other cases. And sa a great many grandes dames absented themselves in " huff." I do not know whether it was with the idea of conveying tacit protest that so many who did go were themselves conveyed in even shabbier old carriages than the venerable affairs that elicited so much hostile criticism from last year's spectators. At all events the sliabbiness of the *' turn-out" was very prominent, and was commented upon as somewhat disrespectful to the Sovereign. One titled lady actually arrived at Buckingham Palace in an ordinary four-wheeled cab—a plain and unmitigated " growler " — and was promptly turned back, to her apparent amazement and disgust. But there were, some who regarded the irregularity proceeding as a bold protest—in very bad taste—against the slight which the Sovereign had put upon British aristocracy in relegating her duties as hostess to the tvife of a very insignificant German princeling—albeit the lady herself was a daughter of the Queen. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, the new Leader of the Opposition, has not sustained the favourable impression which ho created at the outset. He made a terrible blunder in tactics in dividing the Liberal party on the question of foreign policy and in voting

against tho Government on that issue, especially after virtually endorsing the Ministerial procedure in Egypt; still more, knowing that two of his foremost men —Sir Edward Grey and Mr Asquith—would vote against him, and above all when he could only 'go into the lobby with such a beggarly handful of companions. No, he has evidently much to learn yet on the side of tactics. He will not turn out the Salisbury Ministry just at present! Sir William Harcourt is still abroad, but it is understood he intends to be back in time to make a desperate onslaught on the Budget when that comes down. A deficit of three millions is predicted, due partly to heavy expenditure on the navy and army and defences, but largely to the wholly unnecessary and absurd" sacrifice of a million and a-half in tobacco duty, and to the unwise concession of " doles" which swallowed up vast sums of money, yet satisfied nobody. It is deemed certain that the tobacco duties will have to ■be restored, and everyone is trembling in

anticipation of another Id or 2d on the war income tax, which we have so long endured in a time of ostensible peace. But we hope against hope that this latter blow may be averted.

Mr Goschen brought down his Naval Statement yesterday. Its figures were intended to come as a surprise, but somebody had "blabbed," and a forecast appeared in The Times, to his extreme disgust. Unquestionably there had been a broach of trust somewhere, and so an opportunity was afforded to opponents of grumbling that a newspaper should have priority of information over members of Parliament. But Mr Goschen's statement was of a most satisfactory and reassuring character. He distinctly endorsed the statement which I have so often made, that there was no special or hurried preparation at the time of the Fashoda affair, because everything had been prepared long before in anticipation. But he added an item which I could not possibly have got— namely, that ths total of the actual extra cost incurred in mobilisation was only £13,600, so thoroughly had everything been got ready in advance. When he announced an increase of three millions in the naval expenditure—making a total of 26^ millions sterling,—and was able to show that this would place the country in a position of adequate strength, he clearly had the House and the country with him. His offer that if foreign nations would abate their armaments England would abate hers proportionately, was " magnificent, but not war'V-and is hardly practicable, I fear.

For the firs' time in all history, Londoners during the past few weeks have enjoyed a full and splendid view of the glorious old abbey of Westminster, and from its best aspect. This is through the demolition of the block of ugly old buildings which stood between Parliament street and 'King street, and so both narrowed the noble thoroughfare from Whitehall into a narrow and inconvenient lane and utterly obstructed one of the finest views that' London affords. And now the idea has been started of completing the aboev by adding the central tower, which Sir Christopher Wren began, but fortunately never finished. I say fortunately in view of the two hideous towers with which he disfigured the west front of the famous abbey. Nothing has come of the proposal as yet, and, indeed, there is a prevalent feel'intr against any further "restoration " of a magnificent historic building, whose beauty has already suffered at the hands of "restorers," the great Wren himself — who detested and despised all Gothic architecture, of.which the Abbey ia so glorious ix specimen—being the worst of the offenders. Now tint Sir Gilbert Scott has gone, have we any adequate architect?

On Thursday I was present at a. most interesting musical function —the first " Wagner concert" ever given by the Royal Choral Society, which included the first presentation in London of the mighty master's early sacred cantata " Dcs Liebesmahl der Apostel," which has been most absurdly and incorrectly mis-trans-lated " The Holy Supper of the Apostles." Tt has nothing whatever to do with the Holy Supper. There is no referevice whatever to the Eucharist. The occasion is that of a supposed " Love Feast," such as those which were eommonlv held by the I disciples in the early days of Christianity rat the time of Pentecost. The disciples are assembled, and express their hopes and fears. The twelve apostles enter and attempt to comfort the worshippers. Then all present join in a prayer for the coming jof the Holy Ghost.>• "Their petition is iiiiriirerttd. first by celestial voices, and then by. a mysterious rushing sound that shakes 1 the building in which the disciples are assembled. The Holy Ghost has descended upon them, and they agree to obey the commands of tho apostles, and go forth into all lands to bear witness to the wondrous deeds they have witnessed. A song of praise terminates the work. It is composed for three choirs of mfile voices, sometimes singing together, but more often separately : a party of 12 bass soloists (the apostles), and for full orchestra (including four trumpets and four drums), but no instrumentation is employed until midway in the score.

Of the music, I m.iv say at once that it is of the loftiest and most solemn character, while splendidly melodious and harmonised with the richest luxuriance of Wagner's grandest style. For some occult reason, the sapient critic of the Daily Telegraph sets himself to disparage the work, in genuine "D.T." style, dismissing it contemptuously as one of Wagner's oarly mistakes. Would that we had more of such " mistakes !'"

The effect of the first division, which is wholly unaccompanied and sometimes expands to ten " real" parts, was very fine and impressive. But then came a total change in style—the response of the celestial voices, heard at a distance, —an exquisite gem perfectly sung by members of the Westminster Abbey choir. One could have wished to hear this o,gain, for it was all tno brief. Nest came the subdued rolk

of tlio drams, followed gradually by this whole orchestra, to typify the "rushing mighty wind," associated with the descent of the Holy Spirit; and finally there was a vast combination of all the orchestral and (male) choral resources —including some 500 male voices—in a superb and immensely powerful finale. It is a glorious work, anil will, 1 trust, be heard again ; but, beautiful and interesting though it lie, I cannot recommend it to New Zealand societies yet awjnlc. It is terribly exactiii" alike in executive difficulty anil in tlie vocal and orchestral resources which it requires. There was an audience of 10,000 in the huge Albert Hall, and the applause at the close was tremendous. The rest of the programme comprised the sublime prelude and finale to the firstact of "Parsifal," to which I referred not long ago, on the occasion of its presentation as a religious service in St. Margaret's Church, Westminster. This also was deeply impressive, as given by that mighty orchestral and choral force. ' The " Parsifal" music has few rivals in deep solemnity ; perhaps, if we exclude the stupendous masses of Bach and Beethoven, in B minor and D respectively, none at all. But it is also horribly difficult, and it was creditable to Sir Frederick Bridge and his choir of 1000 voices that they gave so good an. interj-etation. After these feats the third act of "Tannhauser" could hardly fail to go off brilliantly. Ella Russells as Elizabeth and Hedmondt as Tannhauser were admirable, although they did not efface my memories of Patti (in the "Prayer"), poor dear Klafsky (dead), and Edward Lloyd (ill). Alec Marsh was a fair but somewhat tremulous-Wolfram, and the choruses were superbly delivered. Although it was a night to dwell long among one's pleasant musical recollections. Mention of St. Margaret's Church, Westminster, reminds me that a very sad and deplorable scandal is now connected with that church. No explanation has ever been given of the mysterious disappearance of its late rector, Canon Eyton. It was rumoured at the time that a sudden attack of insanity, due to overwork, was the cause. Perhaps even now- it may not be inaccurate to accept that theory of insanity. For otherwise it is hard to understand the terrible fall of a man so much respected. A chance occurrence led to revelations of so shocking a character that I cannot possibly even touch upon them in these columns. The rector vanished next day, and is understood to be living abroad, where his wife—a most charming and devoted woman—has since joined him. That it should have been possible to keep the whole affair secret is, to say the least, remarkable. To Sir Wilfrid Lawson, the " funny man" of the House of Commons, we are indebted for a felicitous abbreviation of the rather cumberous name of the new Leader of the Opposition, Sir Henry CampbellBannerman. All of us who.have often to use that polysyllabic appellation feel it a chronic grievance in these days of everlasting fight against time. But Sir Wilfrid has come to our aid. In a recent speech ho substituted " Sir Henry Campbellman," which has been received with enthusiasm. I do not know why the Daily News deemed it neces-

sary to explain that Sir Wilfrid, the Apostle of Teetotalism, was not intoxicated at that time. If that were intended for a joke it is slightly mild, and in any case the taste is more than slightly questionable.

Lord and Lady Curzon are still winning golden opinions in India, and the soundness of the modern theory that Royalty should be represented hi the dependencies by lively young couples rather than by venerable frumps, seems .now to be definitely established. The old idea that the

governorship of dependencies should be deemed mere rewards or superannuation allowances for tired-out officials has happily ;been abandoned. Lord Curzon's prompt action in the Muscat affair is highly appreciated, and in other respects he has exhibited remarkable tact, judgment, and readiness. 'His Vice-royalty promises to prove a marked success.

As for his wife, India cannot find language and proceedings enthusiastic enough to set forth its admiration and esteem for the attractive young lady who was formerly Mary Letter. Not only are the British residents delighted with her beauty and geniality, with her charm of manner and evident kindness of heart, and with the dignity with which she upholds her high station, but the native residents are equally enchanted. Never before has the wife of a Governor been so vividly regarded as a personal representative of a feminine sovereign. And the feeling is nut confined to the more exalted class. It is not limited to the high-born Indian princes who are admitted to the privilege of offering persona! homage, who deem it a great honour to bo permitted to kiss the dainty patent leather shoes of the pretty American girl in • whom they see the representative of the "Great White Empress." All classes of the Indian population Eire no less eager to manifest their devotion.

The journals published in the vernacular exhaust all resources of the imagination in their praise of Lady Curzon's beauty and charms. One of the vernacular journals, after'describing her personal attractions in terms of elaborate poetic imagery, attained a climax when her eyes were reached. These, after vainly seeking adjectives of adequate splendour, the writer described as "of a richly purple hue." Hum ! 1 am not quite sure that " purple " eyes strike me ;\s the quintessence of joy. Also, I fancied that Lady Curzon's eyes were black or brown. But* that is a detail. The point is that India is enthusiastic for its new rulers, and that is a very fortunate thing just now. '

The so-called " Crisis in the Church" continues, but in reality there is very little id it. Except as to auricular confession the whole thing is a quarrel about words and forms, and even as to that one exception the case is very much the same, although doubtless some extreme clergymen have acted' and talked' very foolishly. I think the Archbishop* of Canterbury showed his usual shrewdness when lie remarked yesterday that the whole agitation resembled a " straw fire," and would soon burn itself out.

. In this connection 1 may remark that I was privileged to listen in Westminster Abbey last Sunday to by far the most powerful and masterly sermon on the

" Crisis'' that has yet been delivered. Canon Gore was the, preacher, and he held a congregation of many thousand persons literally spellbound for three-quarters of an hour. He took as Ins text the verse about the men who seek to "take the Kingdom of Heaven by violence," and illustrated the idea by sketching the history of the church from, the earliest days. Ha pointed out how much Christianity owed to the martyrs of various ages, who were of the class that sought to take the Kingdom of Heaven by violence, and he made mi eloquent appeal Tor tolerance and forbearance on botli sides.

Few sadder things have happened of late than the death of the Very Rev. A. K. H. Bov;I, the well-known and most popular Scottish preacher and writer, who, as " A.K.H.8.," has found his way into many hearts, He had been ill, and required to uso a sleeping draught and an external lotion. Through a fatal mistake, he swallowed the lotion—a powerful carbolic liniment, —and died within an hour, in great agony. His death is deeply mourned throughout the whole English-speaking race. Dr Boyd was moderator of the Scottish General Assembly i:i 1890. His delightful book, "The Recreations of a Country Parson," was first published 40 years ago, and is still deservedly- popular ' He was 74 years of age at the. .ime of his death.

Rudyurd Kipling is happily spared to us aftev perhaps the narrowest escape from parly death that ever any man survived. The interest felt in his fate has been quite without precedent in the case (if any private individual — even the now-admired author. But we all regard Kipling as much more than a private "individual. He has been the great apostle of true Imperialism and of the highest John Bullism. We cannot spare him yet. One most notable feature of the affair was the German Emperor's cable message to Mrs Kipling, in which he claimed her distinguished husband as a member "of our common race." That, you see, is another valuable hint of the growine tendency toward a mutual Anglo-German-American understanding, of which I have written much of late.

Wonderful weather still! No winter at all! And now no " March winds " ! And the annual influenza epidemic seems dying out. Thank goodness!

By the way. I notice that a communication sent by Mr H. W. Lucy to tlie Sydney Morning Herald has been reprinted in some New Zealand papers as a " new and important" item of intelligence. It is to the effect thai in case of war the British Go-

vernment will block up the Suez Can.il and use the Cape route. This is important, no doubt, but cannot be deemed "news" to New Zealand, at any rate, although it did not appear in London papers. For I sent it out to you with more detail fully two years ago! It is another cose cf the Soudan mystery and of England's preparation, the former of which remains unexplained here to this day, while the hitter wholly escaped the notice of every journal in the United Kingdom and the Continent, although your columns had frum me, and duly published from time to time, the fullest particulars. However, I am glad that New Zoaland takes first place in respect of early intelligence.