LONDON CHAT. (From Our Own Corresppndent.) London, February 28.

Otago Witness, Issue 2203, 21 May 1896, Page 53

LONDON CHAT. (From Our Own Corresppndent.) London, February 28.

WIFE MT/BDER IN A CAB. ' We have hanged the unhappy young man Chippe: field for the alleged murder of his wife in a cab, notwithstanding ttufc out of three medical experts examined at hia trial two declared their conviction that the wound in the wife's throat was self - indicted ; while other testimony was available that Chipperfield had received an injury to his head some time ago, since which he had been completely altered in character and disposition. That he was devotedly attached to his nice young wife seems undeniable. That not the slightest shadow of a motive for the alleged crime has been even suggested, much lees proved, is equally certain. The probability of his having attempted suicide, and of his wife having, in a sudden frenzy of horror, followed his example with more fatal success, seems a far more prob ible theory than that of the prosecution. However, he is hanged, and dead and buried-! The absence of any explanation why it was deemed necessity to carry out the death penalty ia this extremely dubious case while it is commuted in so mwy infinitely more aggravated cases — even assuming tbis to have been really one of murder — itisnoteasv to understand. For my own part after carefully watching the c»se I feel convinced that poor Mim Chipperfield's death was due solely to an attack of latent insanity on the part of her husband, and that either he killed her while thus'temporarily insane, or else that he attempted suicide, with the result that she followed his example and succeeded in her attempt. The young couple were devotedly attached to one another, and Chipperfield's last letter, which is a mesb touching document- quite unaffected in its simple pathos and in its manly resignation to the approaching doom seems the sort of letter ttut could not bave been written by a man consciously guilty. Such a one would have cried on the side of theatrical display. Chipperfield did not. He was simple, natural, manly in his tone. Ido not believe him guilty. MUSIC. Music this week has furnished two events of interest — the return of Joachim, not merely without impairment of his unequalled powers, but with these oven enhanced, and the first production, not only in London but anywhere, of a new Requiem Macs by the French composer Bruneau, whose picturesque opera '^.L'Attsque dv Moulin" created such a sensation at Covrufc Garden last season. Of the Requiem it is simply imposßiblo to form any opiniou at a single hearing, or even after much study of its score. It is so extraordinarily " modern" ia the flense of the most advanced sensitionali-m, the moat utter dii-rega-d of the old canons of harmony, the most lavish use of every m dern device in the way of fierce orchestral tumult— of sheer noise I might say — that it requires time for digestion. It is a very remarkable work. I can say do more. I might add a third event in the production of a new sjmphony by the new Russian amateur composer Borodine at the opeping concert of. the veuerablo Philharmonic Society, but I really do not know just yet what to say about the veritable orchestral tumult, March 6. Spring seems fairly to have set in, aud yet we have really had no winter at all. There has been, it is trus, a greab deal — perhaps more than usual — of dark, cloudy, gloomy weather, but practically no snow, very little rain or wind, no severe frost, and hardly any fog. Mild, dull, calm weather has prevailed almost continuously since October We h»ve had no frosts so sharp as that of October's last week. Last Tuesday night we had a strong gale, but that has been the only one of note. It has benu suggested that Princess Victoria o^f Wales should utilise this last chance of the leap year before sha enters into her " thirties." Well, apart from the inherent improbability of such a proceed-ng on the part of H.R H , I am assured by some who ought to know that she has settled down to resolute and permanent spinsterhood, her life's romance having boen finally closed by the marriage of a certain English peer, to whom her heart is believed to have been given. I hope this is not true, for all who know HRH. tell me she is a really nice girl, who would wake an excellent wife. She is clever, natural, and unaffected, and is a favourite wherever she goes. In Parliament the week's proceedings have' been very uuintereßting, save only in the case of Mr Goschen's naval proposals, which have already been cabled to you very fully. They have besn generally well received, but while some critics hold that even these do not go far enough, others lament and condemn the wanton waste of such yast sums for what they call " mere ecgioea of destruction." But undoubtodly the uation as a whole is iv favour of any measures, however costly, thab will enable England to hold hoi rwn against the world. It is remarked that the St>hop of Winchester, who has just left Windsor Caafcle after a lengthened visit, is a very lucky man outside of hia intimate personal friendship with the Sovereign. He has already held two bishopricj ; yet he is btill well on the right side of 50 year* of age. Does it interest New Zealand readers to learn thab the new prince of the House of York is to be known as Priaco Albert ? For go, I understand, it is to be.

One of the prettiest of our Queen's grand-* daughters has just arrived at Windsor, that ia Princess Alexandra of Coburg, who is growing even more attractive than her two very charming married fiisttrs— which is saying a greaft deal. Her mother, the Duchess of Coburg and Edinburgh, accompanies her. The Duchess is exceedingly desirous that her son Prince Alfred should bo the chosen of the young Queen of Holland. Our Queen heartily agrees with her ; but tbe Kaiser is equally eager to secure the I prize for hia son. So "Minnie" will have plenty of choice. An exceptionally good exhibition is being held at the Royal luetitule of Water Colour* this month. The work all round is better than it has been for years. It is very strong in landscapes, and there are some lovely river scenes. Sir John Millais said of bonny Scotland th*t one week there was wotth a month of Cairo and its surroundings ; that Scotland was like a, pebble after rain, all the colours came out so softly and clearly. - The East and West Coast railway companies are hard at it, although in the most secret way, preparing for another fierce competition for next summer's Anglo-Scottish traffic. I may say that whereas the final marvellous rushes of lash August were Bhr 32min by the West Coast from London to Aberdeen, and 6hr 19min bj the East Coast ' from London to Edinburgh, the East Coasb companies sre prepared this year to start with 5f hours to Edinburgh (393 miles), and 8 hours to Aberdeen (523 miles), while the West Coast are planning to run the entire distance from London to Aberdeen (s\o miles) without a eiugle stop ! Mr Webb, the chief locomotivo engineer of the North- Western Company, declares ha will guaraeteo to do this " with absolute punctuality 1 " Of coarse an amicable arrange* ment may yet be entered into to avoid racing, but so far both sides are preparing with a vigour and determination that seem to forebode a most marvellous and interesting straggle. Among other improvements this summer the day express, commonly known as the " Flying Scotchman," will probably run from London to Edinburgh in seven and a-quarter hours, instead of taking eight and a-half aa at present.