The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1880-12-25 00:00:00

THE LAND AGITATION IN IRELAND.

The Times comments upon the state of Ireland in a
leader, from which we make the following extract

. . . "The situation of Ireland is one of deepening gloom.
There can be few men so frivolous in character as to be able
to regard it without grave and serious apprehension. How is
this mixture of delirium and panic to end? Society is in the
tong run self-preservative, and when it happens that for a
season law is turned upside down and the obligations
of social union are set at nought, it commonly follows
that equilibrium is re-asserted by processes that are
natural though violent. None can desire to see such throes
precipitated, yet in contemplating Ireland we cannot
conceal from ourselves the truth that everything is
possible. For there are two sets of ideas in absolute
collision on the other side of the Irish Channel.
On the one hand we have certain men asserting their
own will as the supreme law, and successfully claiming
obedience to its autnority. When, twelve months since,
Mr. Parnell first appeared as a land agitator, before his visit
to America, his advice to tenants was not to pay any rent
unless their landlords agreed to a reasonable reduction.
This advice was given immediately after an exceedingly bad
harvest; and it must be added that, though Mr. Parnell did
not often explain to his peasant hearers how the reasonable-
ness of a reduction was to be measured, he did,, when chal-
lenged, say that it must be reasonable in the judgment of an
Impartial tribunal.. Advice of this kind was a little high-
handed, and it was generally understood in the most arbi-
trary sense, but it can scarcely be. said to be beyond the
law. It is open to every debtor who thinks the circum-
stances of his case justify his asking for an abatement of
creditor's demand to resolve to put the creditor to the
necessity of resorting to legal process if he does net come to
an agreement with him. But the situation to-day is wholly
different from what it was twelve months since. There is
now no suggestion of an ultimate deference to the law.
Nothing is heard of reasonable reductions. After the best
harvest for forty years the tenants are ordered to tender
an aibitrary sum—referred to a valuation made more than
a generation ago, before railways had penetrated Ireland,
before the scale of prices had been enhanced from 20
to 30 per cent., and before the economic oircumstances of
the Irish farmer had wholly changed. The Land League has
decreed that Griffith's Valuation and nothing else shall be
the rental of the future. Whether the landlord has been
improving or not, whether the farm has been brought
within the range of new markets or not, however different
the facts of each case, the same rule is laid down. We thus
have on one side a set of persons acknowledging no obligation
but their own will. All the sanctions of the law, all the
principles of social union, are on the other. And the dic-
tates of the self-appointed authority do for the time prevail.
Rents are not paid unless the landlord capitulates. If he re-
fuses, he is put under a social ban. If any tenant is bold enough
to pay the rent he has agreed to pay, because he thinks
it equitable, he is also put under a ,ban. No man will deal
with the honest farmer. No man is permitted to serve the
uncompliant landlord. Threats and molestation drive off
every one who would approach the one or the other. We
know not if the physician is yet prevented fromtvisiting the
sick, but every tyranny short of this is perpetrated. We
said there were on the other side all sanctions of the law,
but this is false. The sanctions of the law appear to have
been abrogated. The ministers of justice are stricken into
reaction. The officers of the Government look on
while lawlessness exerts an unchecked sway. But we
know this cannot continue. At some point, though
we see not when, the will of the rebels against society must
be broken by the force of society. If the Government itself
did not step forward to resume its functions, we should see
the direr calamity of a spontaneous struggle between those
who set up their own will as law and those who resist such
coercion. The present Ministry cannot, surely, contemplate
this consummation with complacency. They must be driven
despite themselves, to cease to be passive before lawlessness.
It must be plain to them, as it is to all the world, that the
problem the issue of which is so dark has grown to its pre-
sent threatening dimensions because they have been slow to
understand and execute their duty." . . .

A shopkeeper and postmaster in the Queen's county, who
refused to subscribe to the Land League because he could
not conscientiously do so, has had a cow and an ass driven
home to him by a fanner on whose land he had them grazing,
the man telling him that, much as he liked himself and his
dealings, he could not any longer keep any beast of his on
his land. His customers are also leaving him; they say they
will compel him to join the League. They threaten to have
the post-office taken from him by some plan, and warn him
that persons from a distance will damage his property. He
has no protection in the place, as it is about two miles from
a police-station.

The Earl of Enniskillen, Grand Master of the Orangemen
of Ireland, has issued what is known as an "emergency cir-
cular," establishing a committee ef the order, to meet regu-
larly during the present dangers, in order to defend those
suffering from the persecution of the Land League, and to
protect the rights of property, the liberty of the subject, and
the ancient constitution of the realm.

In the Landed Estates Court before Judge Ormsby, appli-
cation was made by the receiver of an estate belonging to
three minors named Macnamara, in county Clare, for in-
structions. It was stated that the tenants, some 700 in
number, refused to pay more than Griflith's valuation,
although they were never better able to pay the full rent,
which had not been raised for the last 25 years. A letter
was put in from a tenant, stating that the Land League had
directed him to give up his farm to another man, and he
could not with safety put a beast on the land. The judge
said that this way of bringing the matter forward was
irregular, but he would allow it to be mentioned on the first
day of next sittings. • •

A land meeting was held the other day at Loughgall, near
Portadown. A large number of tenant farmers had assembled
In a iield, and the speakers were about to address them from
the platform, when an opposing force with fifes and drums
rushed into the midst of the crowd scattering them in all
directions, and tearing the platform to pieces. The farmers
adjourned to another field, and the leaders of the hostile mob
prevailed upon their followers not to molest them any more.
The meeting was then proceeded with. there was a large
torce of police present.

lite United Service Gazette says it is credibly assured that
an Enfield rifle can be bought for 78. ed. in any general shop
in Irelamd.

The Parnell Defence Fund has now reached over £lO,OOO.
The Irish In New York meditate sending a deputation to
Washington headed by William Robinson, member of Con-
gress frora Brooklyn, with a memorial asking the President
to use his good offices as arbiter between the Queen and
the Irish people. This resolution, if carried out, will prob-
ably fail by the Government declining any interference (says
the Correspondent of The Times).
The county Louth tenantry of Mr. Smith Barry, having
met and resolved not to pay more than Griffith's valuation,
waited in a body, numbering about 200, on the agent, Mr.
Townsend, at Drogheda, having previously refused to meet
him one-half at Dunleer one day, and the other half at
Drogheda on another. The agent, after an ineffectual
attempt to except the richer tenantry, agreed to accept
Griffith's valuation, but said that in that case he should not
allow the half of the poor rate as heretofore. To this the
tenantry strongly objected, and for a time there was a dead-
lock. The tenantry retired to the Mayoralty Rooms to con-
sider what course they should pursue. They passed resolu-
tions to stick to their original proposition, and the deputa-
tion again returned to Mr. Townsend, who then agreed to
accept their terms.

At the Brooklyn Irish Land League meeting the other day,
a report was made that General Butler had announced his
willingness to visit Ireland professionally, provided he was
requested by Mr. Parnell or the other indicated Leaguers to
do so • also that telegrams had been sent to the League in
Ireland asking whether the assistance of American counsel
was desired.
Upwards of 300 labourers on the Earl of Kenmare's
estate, in the neighbourhood of Killarney, have been dis-
charged. Some of them have been in the employment of the
family for fifty years. It is understood that this step has
been taken in consequence of the land agitation, his lord-
ship's tenants having declined to pay more than Griffith's
valuation, which was not accepted.
The principal employes retained in the Right Hon. Lord
Kenmare's employment have received threatening letters
cautioning them not to remain in the service of the earl.
A party of men, having their faces blackened and other-
wise disguised, visited a farmer named Coonan, residing at
Lucke, North Tipperary, and dragged him into the public
road, where they cut off his hair and beat him. It is said
that Coonan paid his rent in full.
It is reported that Mr. Dudgeon, J.P. who was recently
attacked by a mob at Tulle, King's County, and was fired at
some time ago in Longford, has resigned the land agency he
held.

The Duke of Leinster received a Deputation on Saturday
from his tenants, who dwelt upon the difficulties attending
agricultural pursuits in Ireland, and asked for a reduction'
of the rents to the Government valuation. The Duke said
he could not do that, and he subsequently wrote to say a deduc-
tion of 20 per cent. was the utmost he could grant.
Some corn-stacks, the property of two farmers on the
Island of Achill, named O'Donnell and Dlasterson, were
maliciously torn down and scattered on Friday night. The
cause alleged for the outrage is that they were suspected of
having paid their rents. hostility to bailiffs is on the in-
crease.

A respectable shopkeeper in Mohill, county Leitrim,
has had to dismiss one of his assistants because his brother
is a bailiff.

Many landlords and agents haVe within the last few
days agreed to accept Griffith's valuation and give receipts
in full.
Captain Macartney Filgate, of Ealbrigan, county DUblin,
has accepted rent from all his tenants in the county Louth at
the rate of Griffith's valuation.

On Monday afternoon Lord Castlereagh, M.P., laid in
Newtownards the foundation of a Protestant Ball. The
chair was occupied by Mr. Wm. Johnston, Inspector of Irish
Fisheries, who said he hoped they would soon see the reign
of turbulence put an end to in Ireland, and peace and pros-
perity restored to the country.

The Cork Land League has passed a resolution thanking the
Cork cattle-dealers for refusing to permit the cattle of Mr.
Bence Jones to be shipped in the same vessel with theirs.
A discussion followed in reference to a declaration and re-
solutions of the Bishop and clergy of Cloyne, indicating the
three b"s as a fair basis of the settlement of the Land Ques-
tion. A resolution was proposed calling upon the slergy to
withdraw their resolutions, but after sonic discussion the
consideration of the matter was postponed.
A letter from Dublin says :—There is great diversity of
Opinion among the prominent members of the Land League
as to what course should be adopted should the Government
Introduce a measure of land reform which, although
falling short of the Land League programme, would yet con-
fer great and subitantial benefit on the Irish tenants. Some
are in favour oi "fighting it out" to the end, while others
say that to reject a good Land Bill even though it should
not come up to the requirements of the Land League, would
be to incur a great responsibility. The extreme men, on the
other hazed, say that to accept what they call a part al measure
would be to insure that the question would lie dormant for
the next ten years or more, and the work would have then
to be begun de novo.
The Bildysart Land League has adopted a resolution that
bakers, smiths, shopkeepers, and labourers are to refuse all
dealing with persons not members of the League.
Mr. W. P. Hutchinson-Lloyd-Vaughan, writing from
Golden-grove Roscrea, December 18, says there is no truth
in a statement that his tenantry in a body refused to pay
more than Griffith's valuation, "that the agent refused to
accept it, and that the tenants marched off cheering overthe
victory gained." The writer adds that he has not as yet had
any trouble with his tenantry.
Lord Talbot de Malahide, in presiding at a scientific
meeting of the Royal Dublin Society, and taking farewell of
the members, said that he should shortly be going to Eng-
land, and probably never again to return ; for Ireland in
its present state was not a country in which a civilised being
could live with satisfaction.
The evidence bearing upon the Irish land question which
has been collected by the Duke of Richmond's Commission
will, it is stated, be published before the meeting of Parlia-
ment.

A proclamation of the Lord-Lieutenant was issued on
Saturday evening prohibiting a land meeting which was
announced to be held on Sunday at Cullohill, Queen's
County. Notwithstanding the proclamation a large number
of persons assembled. On being informed that the meeting
would not be allowed, the crowd moved in the direction of
Durrow, but were followed by the police and military, and
ultimately prevented from holding the meeting. The
leaders protested against the action of the authorities.
There were 250 infantry, 100 cavalry, and 100 constabulary
on the ground.

A Ite-uter's telegram from New York on Sunday says :
"A meeting of the Irish Land League has been held at
Rochester, at which 25 dollars were subscribed towards the
Parnell Defence Fund. Mr. Redpath addressed a large
Land League meeting at Providence, Rhode Island, at which
the mother of Mr. Parnell was present. The Catholic Bishop
of the district sent a letter enclosing a contribution for the
Defence Fund.

At a fair held at County Clare, the cattle of a magistrate
who had attended a meeting in favour of coercion were
driven away, and a farmer who had paid his rent was com-
pelled to return the money he had received for some cattle
he had sold in the fair.

A Correspondent of the Standard throws out the following
suggestion :—" In the present reign ot terror in Ireland it
may interest a few landlords to know a course which I have
adopted, and, so far, with success. I should first mention
that during the year I have received fourteen threatening
letters, which in turn have been duly consigned to the fire.
A few months ago 1 summoned as many tenants as possible,
and read them a very distinct extract from my revised will,
which is simply to the effect that on whatever townland I
may be shot my successor, before coming into the property,
must eject every single tenant off that townland ; and, fail-
ing to do so within a given time, the property to be passed
to the Crown ; they first, in like manner, dealing with the
Instructions in my will."

. The Correspondent of The Times writes:---" A landowner
in the county Carlow, who two years ago divided
a farm, giving 60 acres to a tenant under lease, has
written to the Chief secretary, enclosm; a letter from a
tenant who, with others, was " Boycotted " in Tipperary, a
bellman having been sent through the town to warn people
against buying from him. He was hooted and hunted
through the town, and had to take refuge from the violence
of the mob, because he was about to pay his half-year's
rent. The other tenants were also afraid to pay. The land-
lord says in his letter to the Chief Secret—" The Govern-
ment have demanded and claimed from me the tithe-rent
charge and my tenants who are willing to pay their rent like
honest men are hunted along the Queen's highway, and one
of them is prevented from selling his butter or delivering it
when sold in the public streets of Tipperary. Is not this
oppression of the poor permitted and sanctioned by the
Government? Can any tyranny exceed this wanton,
legalized extortion? You compel me and every honest man
to pay taxes and every legal charge, and you sanction acts of
atrocity preventing me*from obtaining the means to pay
these charges.' It is right to say that as regards the
practice of sending a bellman round to prevent persons from
buying or selling, that the bellman is liable to be prosecuted
before the magistrates, and if he fail to find bail to be of
good behaviour can be sent to gaol.

A hostile demonstration was made on Saturday at the re-
sidence of Mr. Charles Downing, 3.P., of Bonneconlon,
within five miles of Ballina, county Mayo. lie bad em-
ployed a civil bill officer, named Kerrigan, to serve
17 civil bill ejectments for non-payment of rent, but
after one had been served Kerrigan was set on by a mob
and intimidated from proceeding further. He returned
the documents to Mr. Downing, who, having armed him-
self with a Winchester rifle, and obtained a police
escort of three men and the assistance of his own steward,
served all the ejectnaents himself. The greater number of
the people were absent at a neighbouring fair. On their
return a multitude, numbering, it is said, about 3,000 per-
sons, crowded about the house, and were only restrained by
the determined efforts of the police from wrecking it. An
additional force of police was despatched immediately from
Ballina. Mr. Downing was escorted by the police with fixed
bayonets into Ballina, and proceeded by the night mail for
Dublin, leaving his house, cattle, and other property in
charge of the constabulary.

The Times (in a leader on Monday), after a very gloomy
survey of the situation in Ireland, concludes by making a
despairing appeal to the Irish Administration to display
energy in dealing with the crisis, even at the eleventh hour.
It says :—"The distance to which we must look forward
before Irish lawlessness can be brought under control by a
new law is so great that we feel it necessary to ask whether
the Irish Executive is wholly paralyzed and acknowledges
that it can do nothing. It is not, perhaps, improper to
Inquire whether the powers of the Executive have not been
sometimes rendered useless by a want of harmony between
different branches of it. If anything can be done, even at
the last moment, to retrieve lost time and opportunity by
unity and energy, the effort should be made. Mr. Forster
must know that the country, will sustain him with any force
he may demand and in any responsibility he may take
upon himself for an• object so vital as the defence of the
common rights of civilized society against anarchical
terrorism."

The Times has published the following letters :

_
Sir,—Permit me to say one word more, in my own name
and in that of many owners of land, on the (to us) very im-
portant subject of a reform of the land laws in Ireland.

_
We are in favour of the encouragement, by State assist-
ance, of an unforced, natural, and progressive growth of a
farmer proprietary.

We believe that the only remedy against permanent
poverty and recurrent destitution in the over-peopled parts
of Ireland is a wise and carefully administered system of
Government emigration.
We object to the scheme known as "the three F's,"
principally for this, among other reasons—that, while it
compels the landlord to grant fixity of tenure to the tenant
at his present rept, which may be far below the fair letting
value of his holding, it permits the tenant to dispose of the
farm for the highest sum he can obtain. Thus restriction
is imposed upon the landlord, while freedom is given to the
tenant. The•right to the difference between the present and
a higher prospective rent (exclusive of the value of im-
provements, if any, secured to the tenant by the Land Act
of 1870), we maintain, belongs to the landlord, not to the
tenant, and to hand over the right to this property without
payment from the former to the latter, we censider to be an
act of confiscation.—l remain, Sir, your obedient servant,
• JOHN LA TOUCHE. .
Harristown, Newbridge, Ireland, Dec. 16.

Sir,—Much is said and written about "Griffith's valua-
tion." The following will show it is a mere pretest, to be
used only when it suits. I have over 400 tenants, with small
holdings, let at 10 per cent. under Griffiths valuation, and
have offered 20 per cent. abatement on the half-year. But,
though three months ago they were all warmth and willing
to pay, now all hanq back and pay nothing. I believe in
their first feelings, if only let alone. But this is an instance
how this three months' agitation has changed all.—l am,
Sir, your obedient servant, AN IRISH LANDLORD.

Sir,—l received the following from a tenant who has
already paid his rent in full, over £'6o. It will, I think, show
more forcibly than I could, by any words of my own, the
reign of terror that prevails :
"Dec.—, 1820.

"Honored Sir,—You will oblige me very much by ap-
plying to me by letter for my rent, as it will prove by far
a grater safegard to me of those ruffianly lawless mobs
that are going around at night, carrying t(h)reats to those
that they suspected paid their rent. Those that paid are
well known, so it must spring from some trustees (he pro-
bably means the bailiff) who was in the office the day of
paying rent. I hope you will grant me this requ(e)st, as it
will be a grater safegard to my person and property than
all the police in
t(h)reatened, but they are not altogether certain whether 1
paid or not. Those are lawless, reckless persons of no stake
In the country that are going about.

"Your obedient servant,

I enclose my name, but not for publication, as here it
known, the poor fellow's discovery would be certain.—l am,
Sir, yours faithfully, A COUNTY CORK LAND AGENT.

AN INTERVIEW wrrn MR. BENCE JONES.

Mr. Bence Jones has been interviewed, and made a state-
ment as to his position and that of his tenants. He attri-
buted the labourers leaving him to their having been
threatened. He never had a quarrel with the labourers.
Being an Englishman himself, he paid more than the ordi-
nary wages of the country to them. They were absolutely
wild at leaving him, but they were afraid to remain. One
of,his labourers had 395. a week coming into Ills house.
Seed sholild be put into the turnip field immediately
after the turnips were pulled, and he should get men
somewhere, which he perfectly meant to do. He
had been informed by one of the first engineers
in London that 400 navvies were ready to proceed to his
place at'any natment to render him assistance, and that as
many men as were required he would send over for Mr.
Jones's protection. There were some people trying to make
out that there was a dispute between him and his tenants.
There was not one syllable of truth in that—not one shade
of a shadow. He never had a dispute with them. Being
asked as to whether he was in fear of the tenantry, he said
he was not. They might shoot him if they wished,
but he was an old man, and he did not believe
they would do so. They were not a bad people.
Reference had been made to the effect that he had
threatened the tenants with law proceedings when they
offered Griffith's valuation, and that they had threatened
him. But the fact was, that if he brought six sheep into
his parlour they could not have been possibly more peace-
able than the tenants were on that occasion. The stiffest
thing that he said to them was that they might do what
they liked and he would take his own course. Some of
them gave him a hint that they were ready to pay their rent.
There was no ill-will towards him so far as the tenants
were concerned. In fact, the goodwill was amazing. How-
ever, when this affair was settled, he would shift out of
the place altogether. He would not live in a country
like this. Of course, it had been extremely profitable,
but what did that matter when he could not live in
the country? When he left the place £3OO a-year
would pay for the carrying on of the entire business. He
had a house in London, and all he had to do was to walk in
there and put his hat on the stand. He had no lack of
provisions. He had written to Mr. Forster and Mr. Gladstone
on the condition of affairs. "Boycotting" was entirely
disagreeable. He had a letter that morning from an
official irethe House of Commons, who stated that London
was perfectly seething with indignation at the Government
allowing such a state of things to go in Ireland. As an anti-
dote to" Boycotting" he would propose the suspension of
the Habeas Corpus Act. He had telegraphed to Mr.
2Foo rotetrr fnoers
)g ohoadi
in ebsese' sadbeen
skeentt ot s eon,o
nha ikmi t
y 2,0
as
no idd
he res . b e
ehvees
de
that they would make a considerable impression on the
minds of the people.

The Earl of Dalhousie, in presenting prizes to the
students in the Dundee School of Science and Art, said
whatever might be the effect of a classical education in
elevating and refining the mind, those who had to make
their living at some trade or profession could not afford
much time for studies which .hamt little relation to the busi-
ness of life. But there was no trade or profession in which
the subjects taught in the science and art schools had not
an imporlant bearing. He trusted these school, would be
the means of laying the foundation of many a successful
career, and contributing materially to the wealtk and
prosperity of the nation.

DEATH OF THE DUCHESS OF WEST-
MINSTER,.

The Duchess of Westminster died at Bramksome
Towers, Bournemouth, on Sunday morning. Her
Grace on Saturday recovered consciousness sufficiently
to recognize the members of her family, but at nine
o'clock she was sinking, and a telegram to that effect
was sent to the Queen. Later the same night it was
reported that there was no improvement, but that the
breathing was easier for the moment. At ten minutes
to five o'clock on Sunday morning the family, who
were in attendance, were summoned to the room of
the Duchess, who expired quietly while in a state of
unconsciousnes, but seemingly without pain. The
medical -nen in attendance were Dr. Barton Smith,
who was telegraphed for as soon as consciousness
revived, and Dr. Falls. Flags were hoisted half-mast
high at different establishments in Bournemouth during
the day.

Her Grace was Lady Constance Gertrude Leveson-
Gower, fourth daughter of George Granville, second Duke
of Sutherland, KU., by his marriage with Lady Harriet
Elizabeth Georgina Howard, third daughter of George,
sixth Earl of Carlisle, and was born on the 16th of June,
1834. She was married in the Chapel Royal, St. James's
Palace, on the 28th of April, 1852, to Hugh Lupus, Earl
Grosvenor, who succeeded his father in the Marquisate
of Westminster in October, 1869, and was elevated to a
Dukedom in 1874. Her Grace has left a family of five eons
and three daughters surviving. The eldest son, Victor
Alexander, Earl Grosvenor, to whom the Queen stood
sponsor in person, wassborn in April, 1853, and is married
to Lady Sibell Mary Lumley, youngest daughter of the Earl
of Scarborough. Of the late Duchess's daughters, the eldest
is now Marchioness of Ormonde, and the second is married
to the Hen. Charles Compton Cavendish, eldest son of Lord
Chesham. The late Duchess was sister of the present Duke
of Sutherland, the Duchess of Leinster, of Lord Ronald
Leveson-Gower, the late Duchess of Argyll, and the late
Lady Blantyre.

In the Chapel Royal, Savoy, where the Duchess of
Westminster was a frequent worshipper, the Rev.
Henry White preache.d on Sunday morning from the
first verse of the Epistle for the day. Having ex-
pounded the text, he said,—" Even while I am speak-
ing of joy, our hearts are overflowing with sympathy
for one whose swift passing away from life is the sad
theme on the lips of every English man and woman to-
day. She, almost paore than anyone I ever' knew,
blended in sweetest harmony the brightness which glad-
dened all who went into her presence with sympathy
for all who sought her compassion, and that simple
reverence and devotion which crown with beauty
the religious life. She loved this sanctuary, which
was the last she ever entered, and her words to me
when I administered her last Communion were words
of fervent thanksgiving for the joy and blessing which
our simple and earnest worship conferred upon her
life. Now she has passed away, the realm of English
society, of Christian charity, and of world-wide friend-
ship will lose a presence which for many years will be
deeply and devoutly missed. We can but deplore
our own loss in this chapel, and still more deeply com-
miserate the bereavement of those whose home is to-
day desolate.

On Sunday morning, before the sermon at St.
Michael's Church, Chester-square, London, a place of
worship attended by the Duchess and family, Canon
Fleming, the vicar, referred to the death of her Grace.
In the course of his address he said that she had sunk
rapidly but quietly ; and, in the presence of those
-whom she loved and whom, in a space of returning
consciousness, she happily knew and recognised, she had
passed from all her sufferings into the unsuffering king-
dom of rest. Those sufferings she had borne through-
out her long illness with an exemplary Christian
patience, evincing even cheerfulness under them, with
thoughtfulness for others and grateful appreciation of
all that could be done for her. She left behind her
the memory of a life—to our view, broken off all too
soon—distinguished for devotion to her friends, affec-
tion to her family, and kindliness to all who came
within the reach of her hand and heart.

Noticing the death of this estimable lady, the
Standard, in a leader, remarks :

"The news of the death of the Duchess of Westminster
will excite a sentiment of sincere regret far outside the
charmed circle of what is conventionally known as 'Society.'
. . . There are few great ladies now alive whose death
could make itself felt in so many different quarters. Apart
from her countless connections and family friends, the
Duchess of Westminster had a multituide of humbler
acquaintances and dependents. She was not a pro-
fessional philanthropist, but she was continually doing
kind actions in an efficient and unobtrusive manner. She
had a power—as admirable as it is rare—of genuinely at-
taching to her those who were her social inferiors, and
when she conferred a bene fit it was with a grace which did
not cause the recipient, as is too often the case, severely to
resent it as a wrong. Life to her was full of interest, and
she enjoyed it thoroughly in all its phases. But whether
she was in London, or on the banks of the Thames, or in
Cheshire, she never forgot the opportunity and the duty of
kindness and charity amid the brilliant distraction of a
fashionable career.

"It is unquestionably the part which she played and the
work which she accomplished in modern English Society
that constitute the chief claim of the late Duchess of West-
minster to general remembrance. . . . She contributed more
than any other social Queen of her generation towards that
intermixture of classes which is one of the great character-
istics of our time. She was thoroughly liberal and cos-
mopolitan in this respect. She had no idea of exclusiveness,
and was astonishingly free from all the typical prejudices of
her rank and station. The same instinct which made her
use her influence with the Duke of Westminster to throw
open the Picture Galleries at Grosvenor House on every
Monday during the summer, and to invite artisans and
niechanics to visit them on certain Sundays towards the
close of the season, pr( mpted her to enlarge her invitation
list of dimensions which the visiting book of no other
Duchess has ever known.". . .

The Daily Telegraph says :—" The decesed lady was con-
spicuous for her genial courtesy and unaffected good nature,
in which she was the counterpart of her distinguished
mother, Harriet, second Duchess of Sutherland. Although
the health of the Duchess had began to decline before the
commencement of the present year, she was well enough to
accompany her husband to Epsom races and to witness the
Derby victory of Bend Or upon the 26th of last May. Shortly
afterwards the Duchess caught a chill at the ball given
by 'The Blues,' upon which occasion she was seen in
public for the last time. She was not well enough to
receive her guests at a ball given subsequently at Gros-
venor House, and so critical was her condition during the
month of July that the worst fears were entertained; but
her removal from Grosvenor House to the beautiful villa at
Cliveden, near Maidenhead, which she had inherited from
her mother, produced a temporary improvement in her
Grace's health. It was hoped that a further change from
Cliveden to Bournemouth would tend to relieve the dis-
tressing difficulty in breathing under which the Duchess
was suffering, and for a while it appeared probable
that these hopes would be realised. But towards
the close of last week a sudden and alarming change
in her symptoms took place, and for three days pre-
preceding her lamented decease the Duchess was, almost
without intermission, unconscious, in which condition she
passed peacefully away on Sunday morning. All her Grace's
family were assembled at Branksome Towers when she died,
and had been prepared for the sad event by the hopeless con-
dition of the invalid. During her long illness her Grace had
borne her sufferings with exemplary patience and resigna-
tion. The intelligence of her death was telegraphed to her
Majesty at Osborne early on Sunday morning; and to the
Prince and Princess of Wales, and the other members of the
Royal family.
"In Cheshire—where' the Duke and Duchess of West-
minster enjoyed unbounded popularity, of which the
foundations were laid when, as Lord Grosvenor, he resided
at Calverley, and became Master of the Cheshire hounds in
1862—her Grace's death will be widely felt and lamented;
nor will the regret be less that she should not have been
spared to enjoy the beautiful suite of rooms prepared for
her at Eaton Hall, the princely seat of her husband, near
Chester. In her Grace's sitting-room at Eaton the walls are lined
with exquisite pictures of the three homes at Dunrobin, Trent-
ham, and Cliveden, in which her youth was passed, of which
pictures Mr. O'Neill, from whose brush came the well-known
representation of the 'Death of Raphael,' was the painter.
But it is amongst those who lived in daily intercourse with
the late Duchess and had abundant opportunities of observ-
ing the invariable sweetness and kindness of her disposition
that the regret for her premature loss will be most deeply
felt.'

By the death of her Grace the families of the Duke and
Duchess of Sutherland, the Duke of Argyll, the Duke and
Duchess of Leinster, Lord Blantyre, the Dowager Duchess of
Northumberland. Lord and Lady Richard Grosvenor, Lord
and Lady Leigh, Sir Michael and Lady Octavia Shaw Stewart,
kc., are placed in mourning.

The Times of Tuesday published the following :—" The
Duke of Westminster takes the opportunity of son4e public
allusion being made to his wife's death to express his heart-
felt thanks and most grateful acknowledgments to those
who at the time of the Duchess's serious attack in July and
since have evinced so much kindness and sympathy with her
in her time of trial. To say that this made a deep impression
upon her and will never be forgotten by her family is to say
little, and, as the Duke is unable personally to thank the high
and low, rich and poor, for their great kindness, he hopes
that he will be at the least excused if he now pays them this
tribute of sincere gratitude in the only way open to him
of doing so. —Branksome Tower, Bournemouth, Dec. 19."

GALE'S WALK OF 2,500 MILES.
sip
Throughout last week Gale, through all the obstacles
imposed by want of natural rest and inclement
weather, faithfully complied with the conditions of
his task at Lillie Bridge. Owing to the heavy rains
of the earlier part of last week the ordinary quarter
of a mile track used at the start was abandoned,
and the larger path by the Brompton Cemetery wall
used. He has been much longer in compassing his
half-hourly journeys than heretofore, but, of course,
considering the magnitude of his attempt and the
substantial progress he has already made in it, this
is not to be wondered at. On Saturday evening Mr.
Gant, F.R.C.5,,.. in accordance with his usual
custom, visited him, and again reported his general
health and condition most satisfactory, the former
unfavnurable symptoms having passed away under
treatment. His pulse was then beating regularly
and strongly at 75. He completed two-thirds of his
journey just before 8 o'clock p.m. on Saturday, having
at that period covered 1,667 i miles in 1,334 half-hours.
Later on he was very drowsy, but in the early morning
of Sunday he was going steadily, though slowly, then
accompanied by John White of Gateshead. With the
exception of one or two slight showers before noon, the
weather on Sunday was, although cold, fine, and as a
consequence the grounds were visited by a large num-
ber of persons, more than twelve thousand passing
through the turnstiles in the course of the day.
Their presence had a very cheering effect on the
pedestrian, who was frequently applauded in a most
hearty manner, With one or two exceptions his times
were better than had been the case for some days past,
though in the evening, when the grounds again became
less thickly occupied, his times fell off. Shortly before
ten o'clock on Sunday night, when he had been walk-
-1,388 half-hours, he completed 1,735 miles.

Some of the worst weather that Gale has had to
contend with since the commencement of his task he
experienced during Sunday night and Monday, rain,
snow, and sleet falling almost incessantly from a little
after midnight on Sunday till early the next'evening,
whilst added to this a thick fog overhung the ground
during the early part of the morning. Under these
circumstances it was scarcely surprising that his times
for each mile and a quarter should have been
much slower than usual, being in several
instances from twenty-five to twenty-six minutes.
The track, too, was in many places covered with
water to a depth of two or three inches, and in order
to avoid these pools,'Gale was compelled to walk very
wide, and thus go more than the necessary distance,
till the judges measured off 220 yards off the track
where the water was less plentiful, and this Gale tra-
versed ten times each half-hour during the remainder
of the day At ten o'clock on Monday night, when
1,436 half-hours had elapsed, he had complete the
necessary 1,795 milee.

RELEASE OF MR. DALE AND MR.
ENRAGHT.

In the Court of Appeal at Westminster on Satur-
day:the 18th, before the Lord Chancellor and Lord
Justices Baggallay and Brett, Mr. Arthur Charles,
Q.C., said: Will your lordships allow me to mention
two appeals—the first being that of the Reverend
Thomas Pelham Dale, who is now in Holloway Gaol,
and the other that of the Reverend William Richard
Enraght, who is detained in Warwick Gaol. Last
Monday the Queen's Bench Division discharged rules
nisi which I had obtained for a habeas corpus in order
that these two clergymen should be discharged from cus-
tody, and the court likewise discharged several other
rules nisi I had obtained, and which raised sub-
stantially the same points. Notices of appeal have
been lodged on behalf of both gentlemen, and infor-
mation has been given to the Attorney-General who
appeared for Lord Penzance, and to Mr. Wills, who
represented thwcomplainants, that I should make this
application to your lordship to accelerate the hearing
of these two appeals. The ground on which Ido so
is that these gentlemen are in prison, and the matter
therefore affects the liberty of the subject.

- _
The Lord Chancellor: Might not this application
have been made sooner?

•
Mr. Charles : We have done our best, my lord, to
make it on the earliest possible day. The judgment
of the Queen's Bench was delivered on Monday, and
my learned friends and myself considered it on Wed-
nesday; the result being that we are determined to
appeal on some of the points.
The Lord Chancellor: As next Saturday is Christ-
mas Day, it would be difficult to say, supposing the
arguments were not concluded in three sittings, when
they could be resumed, as the judges will be going on
circuit, and Mr. Wills himself will be acting as a Com-
missioner. Can you give us any idea as to the limit
of time the case will occupy?

Mr. Charles said it must certainly occupy about four
days; and
It was then arranged that the appeals should be
taken on the first day of the next sittings' Mr. Dale
and Mr. Enraght to be at once discharged from cus-
tody on their undertaking not to do anything in the
meantime in disobedience of the monition • the Lord
Chancellor observing he was personally glad that they
would pass Christmas out of prison.

Immediately after the decision of the Lord Chancellor to
admit Messrs. Dale and Enraght to bail until the hearing of
the appeal before the Lords Justices against the recent
decision of the Court of Queen's Bench, Mr. Brooks, the
solicitor to the English Church Union, who has been acting
throughout the matter on behalf of the imprisoned clergy-
men, proceeded to the Record and Writ Office and obtained
the order of release for Mr. Dale, drawn up in the terms
stated by his Lordship. This was afterwards conveyed to
Holloway Prison, where Mr. Dale subscribed his name to it,
and agreed to bind himself in his own recognisance
in £lOO to abide by the conditions laid down, and surrender
when the appeal comes on for hearing, The terms of the
recognisance are precisely the same as these entered into
by the reverend gentleman while awaiting the judgment
last week of the Court of Queen's Bench, by which he agrees
not to minister during the time he is at large, and to con-
duct himself, so far as his public office is concerned, as
though he were still in prison. Mr. Dale left Holloway be-
tween six and seven o'clock on Saturday evening, and it is
understood that he intends to go into the country until the
times arrives for him again to appear before the Court.

The Times of Tuesday said :—" Mr. Enraght was visited
yesterday by a very large number of visitors, among whom
were the Hon. A. G. Douglas, the Revs. J. S. and T. B.
Pollock, St. Alban's, Birmingham, F. Willett, West Brom-
wich, and Messrs. C. Powell and T. Plant, secretary and
vice-president of the Church of England Working Men's
Society. Ali animated conversation was sustained be-
tween the rev, gentleman and his friends touching
the present state of his case. Mr. Euraght spoke freely
to all and avowed his intention of remaining in prison,
grateful as he was to his counsel for making the appli-
cation on his behalf, and to the Lord Chancellor for grant-
ing him his release on bail pending the appeal; yet he
could not, as an honest man, avail himself of his liberty on
the terms named, which involved virtual submission to
Lord Penzance's inhibition. Replying to a question put by
one of his friends as to whether by his counsel he had not
been made to appear as applying for bail, Mr. Enraght said
that he had not personally given his sanction to the appli-
cation, and that when he received the telegram announcing
the conditions of his release he had no doubt in his mind as
to the right course to pursue, and his instant reply was
that he could not accept the Judges' terms and would
remain in prison.—Yesterday morning the rev. gentle-
man received a fetter from Canon Liddon, of St. Paul's,
London, expressing sympathy with him in the course
he had taken. Mr. Enraght now sees his visitors without
the presence of a warder, but he is in other respects im-
prisoned under the same conditions as an ordinary first-class
misdemeanant. Even newspapers have to be delivered to
the warders in charge before he can receive them. A
crowded meeting of the congregation of Holy Trinity, Bor-
desley was held in the schoolroom after evening service yester-
day, when a resolution was adopted approving the vicar's
action in refusing to leave prison on the terms named."