The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1888-05-12 00:00:00

LONDON CORRESPONDENCE

[We deem it right to state that we do not sL all times identify
ourselves with our Correspondent's opinionsi

The month through which we are now passing
has given its name to that series of gatherings
which, as "May Meetings," are always to be
noted in London at this period of the year.
Even those for whom they have no special con-
cern cannot mistake, as they walk through the
Strand, that something out of the ordinary is
transpiring. "The bishops and clergy and
ministers of all denominations," as the toast at
many a dinner has it, are distinctly in evidence,
the shovel hat and the broad beaver, the episcopal
apron and the clerical tie being visible on every
hand. All kinds of gatherings are brought
together under this generic head, "May Meet-
ings," and every denomination is represented.
Some welcome religious persons of all per-
suasions, others are limited to those of
a particular sect ; some favour home
missions, others advocate foreign; and
Sunday Schools, Bands of Hope, tract societies—
in fact, every organisation which has any con-
nection with places of worship—all have their
separate meetings at this period. In point of
convenience, such an arrangement leaves
nothing to be desired; for there are very many
persons who, happily for the good of their
fellows, are engaged in more than one excellent
work; and it is advantageous that they should
be able in this one month of the year to visit
London, in the full assurance that during their
stay they will be able to foregather with such
others as are of the same way of thinking,
whether they come from John O'Groat's or the
Land's End.

It is a good many years ago that Dickens for
a time almost laughed "the infant phenomenon"
out of the field of popular amusement, and it
really seems now as if we shall soon want another
Dickens to arise and repeat the good office.
Last year a great part of the musical world of
London was raving over the piano playing of
"little Josef Hofman," while this year it has
been similarly using the language of super-
lative concerning "little Otto Hegner." If the
juvenile movement had stopped with these, there
would not, perhaps, have been much to complain
of, but success always breeds imitation, and we
are threatened with a perfect deluge of such
" prodigies "in the immediate future. This is
very much to be deprecated, and it may be hyped
that the musical public will exercise discrimina-
tion in the manner in which they lavish praise
upon the little boys and girls who seek their
applause. It is allowable, perhaps, that when
an extraordinarily gifted child comes forward, it
shall be received with due honour; but it should
never be forgotten that the proper place for
little boys and girls is at school and not
upon the concert platform. Not only are the
powers of these " prodigies" forced to such an extent
as often to render them unfit for the serious
business of after life, but their temper is spoiled
and their health ruined by the process. A re-
action on the matter, one is glad to see, has
already set in; the public are not so eager as
they were in rushing after every "infant
phenomenon " that claims their attention; and
this may damp the ardour of those enterprising
entrepreneurs who are ever on the hunt to pro-
vide the "people who pay at the doors" with
whatever they desire.
When the movement for erecting a memorial
in commemoration of the three hundredth anni-
versary of the destruction of tie Spanish Armada
was started, it was hoped by all broad minded
people that it would prove to be of a
thoroughly non-partisan and non-sectarian
character; and everything which has since
occurred in connection with it has borne out that
aspiration. The latest proof, if any additional
were needed, that it was possible at this day to
celebrate the Armada's defeat without in the
least wounding the susceptibilities of our Roman
Catholic fellow-countrymen, has been afforded at
a meeting at the Mansion House in futherance
of the movement, when the Lord May or of
London, the first Roman Catholic Lord
Mayor since the Reformation, presided,
and the main resolution was moved by the
Duke of Norfolk, who, as all know, is
the chief—it may almost be said the hereditary
chief—representative of the Roman Caholic
laity of England. Such a circumstance is as
noteworthy as it is pleasant, and it promiess ex-
cellently for the complete success of tho com-
memoration. It is alwaysthe pride of English-
men that the fiercest political quarrels can be
buried under the cairn of centuries, and that this
boast is well-founded has thus once again been
proved to demonstration.
The vagaries of fashion have ever been a
favourite topic with satirists, and when one
comes to think of how many of them there are
it is not much wonder. Of one of the
latest of all, for instance, that of ladies
wearing insects as ornaments, what male person
at least can speak with calmness? • A writer on
the fashions declares that "beetles and such
small game, known to fair Americans under the
generic term of 'bugs,' meander over gauze and
tulle, perch themselves on bows of ribbon, or
find a home in the heart of a full-blown rose.
Soldier ants, green and red beetles, and ex-
tremely realistic caterpillars are bonnet orna-
ments of a by no means pleasing character."
One would think not indeed, and it passes the
comprehension of the masculine mind how
delicate and sensitive females can endure
about their clothes these realistic representations
of unpleasant objects. The old question always
comes to the front when such things ata con-
sidered, "Who sets the fashions ?" This would
puzzle even the initiated to answer with any
approach to completeness and precision; but the
marvellous fact is that whatever mysterious
person does so, the whole feminine race appears
eager to follow in his wake, and to adopt the
most extravagant fruits of his imagination as
long, but only as long, as it can be considered
" the fashion."

After the amount of talk which we were hearing
a twelvemonth ago about the Imperial Institute,
it may seem strange to many that so little has
been said concemin g it during the present year, but
it is sometimes apt to be forgotten that Feat
institutions of this kind necessarily require a
large attention to detail at their commence-
meat, which can only be given in quietude.
That process has been going on with the Imperial
Institute, as is evidenced by the fact that an
official announcement has now been made that,
the foundations for the main building having
been completed, the Organising Committee
have determined to forthwith invite tenders
for the erection of the superstructure. It
is pleasant from every point of view to
avow that such progress has been made, for
when once such an institution has been resolved
upon as the most fitting commemoration of the
Queen's Jubilee, it was only consistent with
loyalty that the work should be speedily and
thoroughly executed; and the public will be glad
to receive the assurance that this is being done.
It is a long time since such heavy prices were
realised in a one day's picture sale as were given
a week ago in London at the dispersal of what is
known as the Marton Hall Gallery, collected by
the late Mr. Bolzkow, M.P. This may be guessed
when it is said that the total sum secured during
the day was over £71,000. One picture fetched
more than 5000 guineas, another just a little
short of that sum, and a third a full 4000, while
prices from one to two thousand were, compara-
tively speaking, common. This certainly does
not look much as if money were scarce in Eng-
land, but it has, of cours3, to be remembered that
most of the pictures passed into the hands of
agents who have a world-wide connection, and
who will dispose of them in various
art-loving portions of the globe. The United
States, for instance, take a great many of the
rare pictures which are sold in Europe, and this
despite the heavy Customs duty which is levied
upon all imported articles which are thought in
any way likely to compete with native industry.
Many of the Marton Hall pictures, therefore,
will remain only a very little time longer within
these shores. Some, indeed, are already destined
for a great exhibition which is being organised in
America, and it is exceedingly unlikely that they
will ever be seen on this side of the Atlantic again.
With May the cricket season always com-
mences, and the fact was notified to the public
with even more clearness than usual this year,
because of the fact that in the very opening days
of the month it was recorded in the newspapers
that the Australian team had arrived in England
and was engaged in practising near London pre-
paratory to their earliest match with a home
team. This is the sixth Australian tour, the first
having been just ten years ago, and one having
biennially been held ever since; but it is
likely now that double the usual period
will be allowed to elapse before another, as it is
thought that, if the ground is for a time left
fallow it will be better for all the interests con-
cerned. Be that as it may, the Australians who
are now with us will receive their customary
warm welcome at the hands of Englishmen. Their
frequent visits to this ccamtry have given a great
stimulus to the popular enjoyment of the game,
and have undoubtedly shown us many 'a weak
point. The matches to come will, therefore, be
looked forward to with all the old eagerness, and
with the constant hope that the best team will
win.
A. F. Re

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT,

LIFE-SAVING

In the HousE or Los on May 7 the Merchant
Shipping (Life-saving Appliances) Bill passed through
Committee. The Earl of Onslow, in opposing an
amendment moved by the Earl of Ravensworth, which
was negatived without a division, stated that the Board
of Trade would be willing to put upon the Consultative
Committee proposed by the bill six names, which the
shipowners and shipbuilders might unite in nominating.

BILLS ADVANCED.
The Timber Acts (Ireland) Bill was read a second
time; and the Roads and Bridges (Scotland) Act
Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed.
Their lordships rose at seven o'clock.
IMPLEMENTS OF AGRICULTURE.

In the Housz oF Comm°Ns, the Chancellor of the
Exchequer stated, in answer to Mr. Knatchbull-
Hugessen and Mr. F. Stevenson, that steam ploughs,
threshing machines, elevators, trollies, or other imple-
ments used solely in agriculture, would be exempt from
the license duty imposed by the Excise Duties (Local
Purposes) Bill; but locomotives and traction enzines
using the roads would be liable.