The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1865-06-06 00:00:00

OUR LONDON CORRE3PONDENT.

Mr. Gladstone's advice to the people of Chester on
his son's behalf bide fair to become as popular as Lord
Chesterfield's letters. It is pointed out as the model
speech for electioneering purposes, and from the liberal
hustings throughout the kingdom we shall doubtless
have many changes rung upon the bells—which Mr.
Gladstone sounded so merrily for his son's constituents.
It was certainly the political event of the past week, and
it is still talked about a great deal as being significant
of the opinion of the Government, that the new Parlia-
ment will consist of more vigorous elements than the
old. The Chancellor of the Exchequer evidently thinks
that young blood is wanted to infuse life into the House
of Commons ; and glancing over the names of new can-
didates, and the retiring addressee of old members re-
linquishing political existence, there is very little chasms
of his being disappointed. Of course, nothing now is
expected of the old Parliament—sit is quietly dropping
into the grave. People are turning away from the old
faces with desire and curiosity to welcome the new.

It is interesting to notice the changes that take place
in a few hours around us. One day we open our
evening paper' and, after glancing over the latest
telegrams, feel assured that nothing has escaped our
obeervation for another day. Early next morning we
find the morning journal on the table with a fresh crop
lof intelligence. Large type headings remind no of the
death of some distinguished man, whose name but a few
hours before was on our lips—the leader of a faction
the indefatigable worker—the distinguished writer—
suddenly at last gone out from amongst us. Such
stnincd the intelligence of Prince Consort's death, later,
that of Mr. Thackeray and that of Mr. Cobden; but we
turn the kaleidoscope, and instead of sombre colours we
have brighter shades. Look, for instance, at the Court
Circular of Saturday. It informs us that " our most
popular Princess attended Mr. Halls'a concert on Fziday
evening, and afterwards entertained at Marlborough
House a distinguished circle at dinner." Yet in large
type ,
immediately preceding this intelligence we see in
prominent lines Birth of a Pnnce," and the official
bulletin stating that Her Royal Highness and the
infant Prince are doing perfectly well. The event that
transpired at Marlborough House in a few hours must
have slightly astonished some of the guests entertained
the night before at the banquet. However, congratula-
tions pour in on every side, and the restoration to
perfect health of the fair Princess is the universal wish
In this metropolis, which will be echoed throughout the
kingdom.

Ett'st week so much excitement was occasioned by
sporting matters, that they to a certain degree eclipsed
in interest other events. From racing to religions
matters seems a wide jump, but in the bustle of every-
day life most dissimilar subjects crowd upon each others.
lam led to thi remark by noticing a dinner given by
the Speaker of the House of Commons to a large party
of Right Reverends, Reverends, Professors, and other
gentlemen, who are collectively engaged upon a com-
mentary on the Bible. This new work, emanating from
the Broad Church party, is intended to combat, as far as
possible, that latitudinarianism of belief, or disbelief of
much that the Bible contains so prevalent at the pre-
sent time. The Archbishop of York and Dublin are
among the leading members of this company, and their
well known character will be a guarantee that the work
in hand will be conducted in a charitable and liberal
spirit, and its proluction is awaited with great interest
in the religious world.
As might very naturally have been expected, the
Frenchmen are well up in the stirrups at the fact of
Gladiateur winning the Derby. When the news was
flashed to Paris, and thence to many leading towns in
France, it must have sent • thrill of pleasure through
the veins of every one who took an interest in the race;
and France has of late taken an unusual interest in
sporting matters. This grand coup will have the effect
perhaps of making young France a thorough devotee of
the race-course, as winning one bet often invites •
young inan to rush desperately into the exciting arena
of the betting ring. But, though from the tone of the
French journals received here, there is reason to fear
that our lively neighbours are for the nonce
almost beside themselves, there will be a good effect
produced upon ourselves. It is of no use our
bragging that the jockey was an Englishman, and that
Gladiateur came of an English pedigree; the fact re-
mains, that a French-bred horse, owned by a Frenchman,
has won the Derby; and I trust our neighbours will
think this sufficient to avenge the defeat at Waterloo.
It was rumoured a day or two ago that Sir Charles
Wood was to be raised to the peerage ; it is now confi-
dently denied. It is certainly within the range of
probability, that a gentleman so intimately connected
with influential Whig families as is Sir Charles, might
have the honour of a peerage thrust upon him; but it
is difficult to imagine why su,l an honour should be
conferred. He is a man of no mark; and though he has
long filled office, his services have been quite of an or-
dinary.character,

Ha;ing °Gassiest to go into the neighbourhood of the
East London Working Men's Exhibition, I have paid it
a visit. It is neither worse nor better than many of the
other local exhibitions we have had here. The truth is
that this kind of thing has been overdone. No good purpose
can be served by having an exhibition of the kind,
which might just as well be caned west-north, or south-
east-by-east-half-east exhibition. There is nothing dis-
tinctive or characteristic about it, and very little interest
attaches to it. This is simply because we have Lad so
many of them.
Jam rather surprised that 80 little has been said about
' the alleged original play of Shakspeare's, which may
now be seen in the Crystal Palace. If this is really a
genuine unpublished play of the great bard's, surely it
should deserve more attention than it appears to attract;
if it is forged or spurious why is not the cheat or mis-
take exposed? Where is Mr. Payne Collier, or Mr.
Barnwell, or Mr. Peter Cunningham ?
The appointment of a successor to Admiral Fitzroy
has been referred, for recommendation, to the Royal
Society, and it is said that the consideration of a suitable
place of residence now occupies the attention of the
Government and the Board of Trade. I believe I may
confidently add that the post will now become one of
great importance, and that a correspondingly high
salary, with a competent s.aff will be attached to it.
. . .

The last number of the Fortnightly Review is, I
should say, generally thought rather heavy, and it has
very little reference to the present time any more than
to any time these ten years past, and 2s. is s very high
price. There are considerable doubts whether, notwith-
standing Mr. Lewis's name, the new magazine, or
whatever ebe it may be, will succeed. The Shilling
Magazine has pas-ed into the hands of Mr. Besworth,
of Regent-street. The reason for the change of pub-
lisher is not one on which it would be fair to oomment,
hut which is talked of with pain by those who know it.
The Day of Rest in a failure, as might have been ex-
pected from the title of the periodical being utterly at
variance with its character. Ills to be continued as •
monthly magazine. Fancy a monthly day of rest—
bow very sppropriate! After this we shall perhaps
have the Fortnightly Review published once a week;
once a Week published every fortnight; and the Mona
once a quarter. But a truce to banter. The Day of
Rest deserved a better fate. There were some admirable
articles in it, and • tale which. without being highly
sensational, was deeply interesting and thoroughly
original.
SPECTATOR.