LONDON GOSSIP.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8534, 26 July 1889, Page 3

LONDON GOSSIP.

We seem to be on the eve of a new era in Irish history. A better and more conciliatory spirit, which may or may not be of a permanent character, marks the relations of parties at this minute. The Nationalists are showing nn unusually reasonable front, and the Unionists are making distiuot advances. Mr Bulfour's policy has, in fact, been so successful that, whilsc his opponents recognise the wisdom of coming to terms if possible, big friends feel themselves in a position to ventilate ideas which were more or less out'of tho [question in the days of the supremacy of the National Lea*ue. Another, and in loooe people's eyes, more important sign of the change which Mr Bulfour's policy has wrought in the relations of England and Ireland is afforded by the discussion as to the future of the Viceroyalty. The Ttmes, the Standard, and the TtU graph, a few days ago contained ai tides in favour of sending a Royal Prince to Ireland. The Prince of Wales is said to be anxious to undertake the task, and he could not do a more patriotic service than by devoting some portion of his time to the social functions of the Sißter Isle.

Colonel Cody is now holding his great ■how in Paris which has been honoured by the presence of the President of the Republic and by an immense concourse of people. A large plot of ground has been secured for the show at Neuilly. The area is smaller than that occupied by the show at the American Exhibition in London two years ago ; but it is sufficiently spacious, and all the places set apart for the audience were thronged to excess. When Buffalo Bill's show was the rage in London, the vivd-voce explanations given from a platform in the middle of the arena were thoaght to be one of the most curious attractions of the Exhibition. In Paris, writes a correspondent, it is far otherwise. The foreign accent of the gentleman in question is of the most marked character, and the andience, after listening with constantly growing symptoms of impatience, at last called out Auez! Asses I in tones even louder than his own.

At a festive ball given there was among the dancers a young lady who, though she had not been long "out," was well known in London society. There was some question whether she could attend the ball, not being in very good health, and, what was worse, manifesting a certain flushing of the face which fell short of her customary perfection of complexion. A doctor was consulted, buc he said there was nothing particularly the matter with her — no reason why she should not go to the ball. She went, and as usual bad a host of patrons, danced far into the night, and returning home next day, took to her bed, with a most virulent attack of measles, This was bad enough for her, bat the infection had spread. About a dozen eligible yonng men were smitten down, and at least aB many ladies, soi«e of whom are just now returning to social life, and do not take the tame anticipatory pleasure in balls as was formerly tho case. The death \% announced, at the age of 70 years, of Vioe-Admiral Thocua« Cochran. The deceased officer, whe entered the ■ervic* in 1833, was present at the blockade of Alexandria in 1841, and took part in the Chinese war of the same year. He retired from the service in 1874 with the rank of Captain, became Bear- Admiral in 1875, and Vice-Admiral in 1879.

Whilst Mr. Matthews, the Home Secretary, was riding in Rotten Row, on June 4, his horse stumbled and fell, and the right hon. gantlemau was thrown over the animal's head. Mr. Matthews was able to regain his feet without assistsner, and it k satisfactory to be ablo to state that during the remainder of the day he performed his official and Parliamentary duties.

The Earl of Caithness died very suddenly at his hotel in Edinburgh on Saturday, May 26. Hib lordship, who was only thirty yeurt of age, succeeded bis father eight years ago. Be had come to Edinburgh to attend the Established Church General Assembly, and on Saturday morning awoke suffering from illness. He died in & fit injhis servant's arms before medical bid could be proenred.

(For continvation of news tee 4th page.)