The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-03-16 00:00:00

THE PARIS EXHIBITION.

The followinz, says Galignani, is the state of progress of
the works in the Universal Exhibition being executed by the
different nations :

England: The pavilion of the Prince of Wales is
nearly terminated, and two cottages with terracotta
ornaments are being erected at the sides of it.
Russia: A great number of Russian workmen are
occupied on the facade of the building for their section,
which will he in the rustic style, and of wood. The
furniture and decorations were received last week from
St. Petersburg.
Spain: The elegant pavilion is finished externally,,
and all the interior is greatly advanced. The paint-
ing is now being done,
Italy: Great activity on all parts of the construc-
tion inside and out.
Austria-Hungary: Somewhat behind-hand. Orders
have been given for the works to be piphed on more
rapidly. The material has arrived from Vienna.
Belgium : Perhaps the most remarkable pavilion in
the Champ-de-Mars. The style is gothic. A novel
effect is produced '337 the effect of polished grey stone
and black marble intermingled. The Belgian artists
are working ardently.
Denmark: Pavilion terminated and being fitted up
inside. A charming kiosk is being erected up in the
garden.
Switzerland : Section much advanced. Magnificent
decoration in the great hall reserved for the display of
clocks and watches. Very elegaut glass cases,
counters, and furniture already in their places.
Holland: Pavilion terminated. The principal con-

struction is nearly ready,. the facade will be of red
brick. All the materials have arrived.
Portugal: Facade charged with ornaments; interior
complete; great magnificence in the ornamentation.
Luxembourg, Monaco, and San Marino: The three
minor States of Europe give an example to the great.
Their pavilions are small, but in excellent taste
The progress of the works leaves nothing to be de.
sired.
Sweden and Norway: Twenty-eight Swedish soldiers
are busily at work on this section. They are building
a guardhouse for their lodging
China: No nation is more practical than this one.
The overseers of the 26 native artisans direct them
with remarkable order and activity. The fittings are
numerous, elegant, and original.
,Japan: Twelve natives are working without respite.
Canada: A great quantity of packages have already
arrived for this section. They are said to contain
many curious articles.
Persia, Siam, Morocco, and Tunis: Pushing forward
their works actively. The internal arrangements may
ba behbadhand.

On the French section in the Champ-de-Mars there
are now 3,240 men employed, and many work during
part of the night.

Mr. GLADSTONE and his CONSTITUENTS.

Mr. J. R. Jolly, President of the Greenwich Liberal "Five
Hundred,' has received the following letter from Mr.
Gladstone :

"73, Harley-street, March 97

"My dear Sir,—For years past I have felt in an in-
creasing degree that it was not in my power to dis-
charge sufficiently all the duties which the constituency
of Grtenwich may with reason expect one of its repre-
sentatives to perform. This sense of disability, I need
hardly add, is likely to grow rather than diminish. I
have, accordingly, made up my mind that, although
I ought not by any act of my own to subject the
borough to the inconvenience of a by-election, yet
neither should I cause to it a serious risk of remaining
unprovided with fit candidates in the Liberal interest
in the event of a dissolution which might be summary.
"it i 3 not long since the comae of our foreign policy,
fluctuating from day to day and filling the country
with a sense of uncertainty, appeared to bring into
view the risk I have named. Our condition is now
more composed, but it may undergo further and unfa-
vourable change ; while the existing Parliament, in its
fifth Session, has passed through its middle age. A
further and more satisfactory consideration is the
recent and promising movement for a thoroughly
effective organization of the Liberal party. I heartily
wish for this movement all the success which I cannot
doubt it will achieve; but it is plain that those who
promote and share in it are entitled to know my views
with regard to a coming, though possibly not a speedy,
election. _ _

" I wish, therefore, without further delay, to ex-
press to the constituency, through you, my gratitude
for the memorable manner in which they returned me,
unasked, at an important moment, for the indulgence
they have always shown, and for the confidence they
have continued to repose in me. I will not again ask
them to incur what might be a serious sacrifice of their
local interests, and I shall at the proper moment bid
them respectfully farewell.—l remain, my dear Sir,
faithfully yours, "W. E. GLADSTONE.
"Mr. J. R. Jolly, Plumstead-common."

A meeting of the Greenwich Liberal "Five Hun-
dred" has been called for Monday, the 18th inst., for
the purpose of "considering and determining who
shall be Liberal candidates for the borough at the next
election." It was upon this circumstance being noti-
fied to Mr. Gladstone that he forwarded the above
letter to Mr. Jolly. Mr. Gladstone was first elected
to represent the borough of Greenwich in 1868, and at
the general election in 1874 he was again returned,
though after a severe contest.

The London Correspondent of the Manchester
Guardian says that Mr. Gladstone's letter, coming as
it does amidst rumours of a general election, is more
important than may at first b appear. It will revive
the belief that an appeal to the country may he in the
not distant future. It is well known that the Govern-
ment whips have been looking of late to their
electoral machinery, and that several Conservative
members who are not very confident of the favour of
their constituencies have been advised to be well
prepared for contingencies. Events may arise out of
the Conference which would induce the Cabinet to
appeal to the country, and many members are putting
their constituencies in order for whatever may arise.

The Daily News of Tuesday says :—`` We under-
stand that the announcement of Mr. Gladstone's in-
tention to retire from the representation of Green-
wich at the close of the present Parliament was ren-
dered necessary by the steps taken by the new Liberal
organization to select two candidates for the next elec-
tion. Mr. Gladstone has long contemplated the
decision now announced, but has been naturally re-
luctant to dissolve his connection with the borough.
Although he has no intention to retire from Parlia-
ment, he will not we are informed, at present enter-
tain any proposal to represent a new constituency."

On Monday a Leeds merchant sent the following
inquiry by telegraph to Mr. W. E. Gladstone :—" If
unanimously invited by the Liberal party in Leeds,
would you consent to represent them in Parliament?"
Mr. Gladstone replied by telegraph, saying—" I feel
the honour very greatly, but intend tD defer for some
time making any arrangements for a seat in Parlia-
ment."

"The leaders of the Liberal party in Marrhester
some time ago discussed the desirability of inviting
Mr. Gladstone to become a colleague of Mr. Jacob
Bright at the next general election, on the under-
standing that Sir Thomas Bazley would not again
seek election, but nothing was done in consequenee of
the conviction that the right hon. gentleman would
not retire from Greenwich. Mr. Gladstone's letter
has again raised the question, and steps will be taken
in a few days to asceitain his feelings on the matter,
although no formal invitation can be given without
the sanction of a general meeting of the Council of the
Liberal Association."—Daily News.