The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-02-14 00:00:00

fonbort Gorrtspoubtnt.

(We deem it right to state that we do not at all times
td,mtitv ourselves with our Correspondent's opinions.]

The disastrous intelligence of the fall of Khar-
toum, created more consternation in the streets of
the metropolis than any event which had happened
since the days of the Indian mutiny. We are so un-
accustomed to receive the news of a national disaster,
that when one does occur it creates all the greater
impression upon the public mind; and so when this
was called out in the lsuay .4 thoroughfares by the
enterprising vendors of the penny joarnals, there
was a run upon the journals which is not often
witnessed. No doubt many an unfounded rumour
has been published from time to time during the
past twelve months respecting the fate of
General Gordon; but here was a combination
of misfortunes which could not be mistaken.
Khartoum in the hands of the Mandi, Gordon either
killed or a prisoner, Sir Charles Wilson compelled to
return down the Nile—here was a mouthful for the
street sellers, of which they did not fail to make the
most. It was all the more disappointing after the
recent victories, and when Lord Wolseley seemed on
the eve of crowning the eslifice of his expedition.
Long years have elapsed since Cabinet Ministers
assembled at such a crisis ; but happily the British
commander could be communicated with by tele-
graph, which was not the case in the summer of 1857,
when the rebel Sepoys took temporary possession of
the principal cities of Hindostan, and steam was the
only agency connecting London with Calcutta.
Obviously, the Cabinet had no other alternative than
to instruct Lord Wolseley to push on with the cam-
paign and to promise Lim all the reinforcements
which he might require. Our strength in the East
would be materially undermined if the vast multitude
of Moslems were to get the impression that British
rule could be shaken by the adverse occupation of a
single city; and whatever it may cost this impression
will not be permitted to exist. As the hot season
will soon be coming on, it is probable that contingents
of Indian troops will be sent at Lord Wolseley's de-
mand as being better able to face the equatorial tem-
perature.
A remarkable incident, as showing how the public
mind is absorbed in the fate of General Gordon, was
furnished in Westminster Abbey on Sunday after-
noon. As the usual procession was entering the struc-
ture word was passed to the Dean that Gordon was
safe, and just at that moment Mr. Gladstone entered
the choir, which, to the Dean's mind, was confirma-
tory of the statement previcusly made to him that
this welcome information had been received by the
Government. So he conveyed it to the Archbishop
of Canterbury, who was walking by,his side, and who
was to preach the sermon. The Archbishop referred
to it in his discourse, and great was the gratitude of
the congregation. The good news was telegraphed to
• the country on the authority of the Primate, who had
mentioned it in a sermon in Westminster Abbey. It
was unhappily not confirmed, and the Dean, later in
the day, sent round to the papers an expression of
his deep regret that inquiry could not be made in
ime between the intimation being conveyed to him,
and his giving the intelligence to the Archbishop.
Parliament will meat within a day of twelve months
of General Gordon's arrival at Khartoum, which was
on the 18th February last year. It assembles on the
19th, unless summoned earlier at the proclamation of
the Crown, and for the fourth successive session the
affairs of Egypt will occupy the principal share of
attention on the part of the Legislature. It was in
1882 that the rising headed by Arabi led to the beginning
of British interventionin Egypt, which has since been
the subject of so much criticism, has cost so many
lives, and so much money. There is now, unfortu-
nately, more reason than ever for Egypt and the
Soudan to be made the topic of Parliamentary debate;
and hostile political ;movements are already threatened
which may possibly be productive of the gravest
consequences.
Momentous events succeed each other so rapidly
now, and history is made at such a pace, that the in-
telligence from Khartoum for the time completely
eclipsed the interest in the proceedings against the
dnamitists. Tit tihiiis will tura tout to be of the
greatest impottance should the Crown elect to
prosecute the man Cunningham under the unrepealed
Act of George 111., which makes his offence high ;

treason, punishable with death. The
_Tower
.is. a

magazine of arms, and this is the penalty which the
law prescribes for setting fire to it, as was done by the
explosion of the 24th January. Penal servitude for
life has been tried upon Gallagher, Daly, and their
associates without putting a stop to the outrages in
London, where a very strong feeling exists against
their perpetrators. Were a conviction obtained
against Cunningham under this Act, very few efforts
would be made to obtain a commutation of the
capital sentence ; for it is strongly felt that:were a
salutary example made, the cowards who do not
hesitate to maim innocent women and children would
have too much regard for their own necks to run
further risk in that direction.
The' notoriety obtained by O'Donovan Rosso, wag
fortunately extinguished by the news from Khartoum.
The calibre of this braggart, who has claimed all the
infamy of every dynamite outrage for years past, was
sufficiently illustrated by the fact that when attacked
by a woman in one of the streets of New York he at
once fell to the earth, declaring that he was shot,
although it has since turned out that the injury could
have been little more than a skin wound. Yet this is
the caitiff who rejoices over such brave deeds as those
upon the Underground Railway, where parcels of dyna-
mite have been dropped from the carriage windows and
scattered serious injuries amongst unoffending people.
The notice given in the London Garette that, by
command of the Queen, the Prince of Wales will hold
two Levees at St. James's Palace, in the month of
March, is welcome to those who have looked forward
to any sign of a revival of the London season. Last
year the death of the Duke of Albany was followed
by forty days of mourning; but this spring there are
brighter hopes. The Royal wedding at the end of
April is looked forward to as the precursor of a more
auspicious time. The dictum that it is better to go
into the house of mourning than into the house of
mirth is variable in its application, and, like other
proverbs, might very well be varied sometimes.
M. Waddington, the French Ambassador, would
pass as an Englishman in any circle of society. He
was educated at Harrow, and speaks our language
just as easily and as fluently as Earl Granville sneaks
French, and this is described as being as perfect as a
native. On
.Saturday evening, at Willis's-rooms, M.
Waddington presided at the annual dinner of the
French Hospital and Dispensary at Willis's-rooms,
e company numbering about 300 gentlemen, most
of whom were compatriots of his Excellency. The
Ambassador spoke in French; but of course the
Lord Mayor, Mr. Sheriff Phillips, Mr. Charles
Russell, M.P., and others delivered their addresses in
English. The effect is described as having been
somewhat picturesque; but at all events the result of
the evening was to add by numerous subscriptions to
the funds of a valuable charity.
Sir Thomas Nelson, the City solicitor, was not
much known outside the boundaries of the civic
jurisdiction; but within these the news of his
sudden death on Saturday morning has been received
with much regret. He was one of the numerous
recipients of knighthoods by City officials mostly in
connection with the rescue of Epping Forest from
enclosure and its devotion to the public use for ever.
The Recorder is a knight, and so are the Common
Serjeant and the Town Clerk. The Court of Alder-
men is largely made up of baronets and knights, the
result of successive Royal visits to the City of London
in state, when it is customary to confer a baronetcy
upon the Lord Mayor and a knighthood on each of
the sheriffs.