The Express.
London, England, 1868-05-20 00:00:00

18 TOBLIBRID

EVERY EVENING.

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, MAY 20.

HYDE-PARK.

" llvJ,a PARR impassable every evening until
" further notice," might be written up with
perfect truth at Apelerhouse-gate. Capricious
Fashion has pitched upon the moat inconvenient
and least intrinsically attractive portion of the
park for its nightly sacrifices, and its slave, Society,
is the fillfiel'Pr. When the carriages foolishly
migrated from the Serpentine, a year or two
ago, regular par'.-ireluenters pro, hecied what
has since come to pass. As Mr. Lsitoerne.mx
has pointed out in a letter to a contempo-
rary, the nightly drive is a nightly block, strui
neither equipages nor occupants can see each
other or be seen. The policemen are painstaking
and ehicient; and, but for their 'instant exer-
tions, accidents would be inevitable. But until
these useftil fuurtionaries carry in.kricianW wands
instead of staves, they will be unable to
reduce chaos into order, or to protect erist-
hag fashionable arrangements iron the cense- .
quences of their folly. Thy bold pedestrian who
Essays to visit Ihe Drive, clone so at the rise of
his life. Arriving, we will say, at mt. George's
Hospital at fi p.m. as a starting p dnt he has
every chance of qualifying as an in
,-,,atieet in a.
few minutes' time. To cross the r.•acl and find
himself in a well-dressed, quendone selfish mob,
every member of which is irate ani indignant at
only hiving a few square in - :,o, of pave:-
meet to himself ; to behold carriages hemmed
in together apparently inextri:ahle confusion
to see small detachmenta of his fell w timbal:nen con-
-IFL'i id by policemen phaetc.in" iinelbarouehee,
and under the stouvvih% ..1 ("WAS :
arc
to hear constant altercations between the

diens of law and order and superb menials in
powdered hair and cauliflower wige--form blot
portions of his experience. If so happy as to
effect a crossing, and nothing but the almost
superhuman efforts of the A Division have
enabled him to do this, he - is received
at the compendiously converging corner by an-
! other well dressed mob, who have all the un-
pleasant qualities of the first. But this last crowd
' stands in comparatiie ease, and in serenely super-
cilious in its regards. Romans safely watching
'gladiatorial struggles ; Luvairries and the storm-
tossed mariner ; malicious spirits exulting in human
trepidation and discomfiture—are all suggested by
this second batch of idlers, who appear to be
languidly amused at the troubles of their kind.
But further trials are in store for the explorer.
Formerly, when the first great crossing had been
mastered, he could stroll the entire length of the
Drive without fear of molest glen. Having escaped
the dangerous icebergs of the South-east Passage,
he had plain sailing and smooth water till he left
the Park. Up the long, straight road and put
the Serpentine as far as liensington-gardens-
bridge, stretched the brilliant throng of car-
riages, all proceeding in decorous order and re-
gular line, the interest being sufficiently diffused
to make walking easy and a seat practicable. But
now the placid ease of the corner is a mere inter-
regnum, useful, perhaps, to brace the nerves for
I further perils, but disappointing to the hapless
1 panting innocents who think their troubles over.
The old drive is left to the perambulators and an
i occasional family mach. The real sight is to the
I left, and is framed in by Knightsbridge back-
doors. Between those interesting objects and the
brilliant enclosed garden-ground—which never
looked brighter and fresher than now—are the
carriages of our aristocracy, and between you and
the footpath near them is an animated slice of
Rotten-row. The delights of a clown in •
circus ring are experienced next. Horses, some
skittish, some well behaved, some properly ridden,
some mounted by fast boys and by "horsebreakers"
unacquainted with the rudiments of their sup-
posed profession, but all curvetting in close prox-
imity and all to be dexterously avoided—form
1 the next trial, and when this is passed
you find that from the helpless confusion
and besuuddlement there is little to be seen.
Half an hour may be spent ,it a given spot
without the carriages opposite it moving a dozen
yards. People stand three, four, and five
deep by the railirga between the footpath and
what is ironically spoken of as the Drive. Those
who sit down (and as the chairs are always full
it needs patience, as well as interest with their
purveyors to secure thisn privilege) have their
feet trodden on and their view restricted. Now
and then, when the strolling, lounging, flirting
crowd breaks for a moment, the whole of a carriage
may be keen, but such opportunities are rare
and insist not be counted on in a single
sitting. In short, our aristocracy having de-
liberately chosen the least agreeable spot
in the whole Park for display, the first ob-
ject of their drive or promenade is defeated, 1
for theyare invisible. Mr. Wina.sa once explained
on a memorable occasion, that if his visual
organs had been " a pair o' patent double million
" magnifyin' gas microscopes of hextrs power,
" p'raps he might be able to see through a flight o'
" stairs and a deal door ;" but " bein' only eyes,
" you see, my wision's limited ;" and Park fre-
quenters might aptly echo his words. Men
arrayed in the exaggerated costumes of the,
fashion books—in broad brimmed, curly, low-
crowned, shiny hats, coats so shortwaisted as
to seem all back, spotless linen, and low bright
shoes ; and ladies in the hideous colour known as
Bismarck mulct*, in bronze, in olives, in the
colours of carriage-varnish, in short dresses and
long dresses, in gay petticoats and in the straight,
stiff, short robes, which make their wearers the
exact facsimiles of the wooden Mrs. Swim,
Mrs. HAM, and Mrs. JAPIIST of our youthful ark
--are at least as difficult to see through as Mr.
liVina.ex'il obstructive stairs and door. The seated
visitor may amuse himself by speculating on the
undecided shirt collars, half-rigid, half-limp, he
sees ; or may wonder as to the motives impelling
human beings to place thick black poultices of
black silk round their healthy necks ; but he will
look in vein for the rank and fashion of the
Drive.

But it is infinitely worse for the people in the
carriages. In vain do mounted policemen argue,
entreat, and threaten ; the line is as much a figment
of the brain as the visible equator pointed out to
credulous passengers by the sailors crossing it.
From Apsley-house to Albert-gate the scene re-
sembles the enclostre at Ascot. There is little
more prospect of locomotion than when at the com-
mencement of a June day a good place has been
secured opposite the Grand Stand, and all
eyes are strained to see the procession of red
coats from Windsor. To stand blocked, and
dusty, and with the heads of your neighbours'
horses close to your own ; to move a
few paces interjectionally, and as if by
machinery half run down ; to be in constant
dread of having your panels smashed or your
steeds injured ; to share a town atmosphere
with a street on one side and a dense phalanx
of human beings on the other, is the fashionable
mode of taking the air. To attain this acme of
social delight you :lust have got into line some-
where about the Marble-arch an hour and a
half ago. Marshalled by policemen, you have
moved at a snail's pace, and with frequent stop-
pages, to the Apsley-house entrance ; where you
have undergone tedious delay. The foot passengers
waiting to cross have to be got rid of in detach-
ments, and your horses are seized by other police-
men on foot with whom your coachman altercates
in vain. Bit by hit you pass by uplifted arms
which look, in the garb of authority, like so many
blue cloth sausages, to enter that holy of holies
—the sacred quarter of a mile constituting
the Drive. Four-in-hands, well-appointed and
dexterously kept in order ; smart little phae-
tons, with grooms whose cockades imply
commercial rather than military service ; heavy
' open carriages in which titled dowagers and the
season's neophytes recline ; and the broughams
of LAIR, PHIVINZ, sad AIiPAMA, make up the mob.
Through it the fairest Princess in Europe has
to force her way. That there is a royal road to
everything but learning is proved by her
highness's carriage getting through. The vast
' crowd is hushed for a moment, the mounted police
Leanne unusually excited, and hats are off and
bonnets moving as the bright and delicate young
' face is seen. But is there no means of making
' the Drive, constantly greed by the presence of
• our future Queen, less unattractik o, and of
I ,o saving n, ny excellent people loss of temper,
, and disapls Hyde-park is as large as
• ever, and its most leautif vl portions are compara-
tively deserted. Will no fashionable genius be
I daring enough to attempt an innovation ? Let
a dozen duchesses frequent the Serpentine banks
• or the road by Kensington-gardens for a week,
, and the difficulty is salved. In existing arrange-
ments the greatest inconvenience for tie :greatest
number has been fairly reached, for the disaatis-

UV% WEDNESDO
faction of thii 'many is pabazotaditittM diaconifdri
It the taw.
THE RAILWAYS AND THE PITBLIC.

RAILWAY fares cann9t hope to escape supervi•
sion. The country must not be left talhe tender

mercies of railway boards in the matter of its loco-
motion, and all are interested from the peer to the
artizan in having the conditions of their travelling
placed upon an equitable basis. Lord SkLIBILTRY,
fresh from his studies of Great Eastern finance,
comforts us with the assuranoe that " the con-
" stant tendency of railway fares in this country
" is to become lower and lower," and substituting
" has been " for " is," we believe him to be
right. But with shareholders smarting from
heavy losses, with boards appointed to effect im-
provements, and eager to prove their efficiency as
new brooms, and with formidable coalitions
cementing on every side, there is much reason
to fear that the interests of the out-
' side public may be overlooked. Not but
that a substantial case can be made out fur the
comp►nies. Apart from ruinous rivalries, insane
extensions, and fatuous extravagance, the various
boards have had to yield to a form of public pres-
sure difficult to withstand. A trunk line runs
through a series of fairly populated counties, and
is paying a moderate dividend ;'when an agitation
is started to increase its usefulness. Meetings
are called, the county demi-gods speak on plat-
forms, strings are pulled secretly by wealthy con-
tractors and astute professional people, the plot-
ting' of a rival company are darkly exposed, until
shareholders are so worked upon that the directors
have little choice but to consent to the proposed
branch. It is constructed, and, as a matter of
course, does not pay. The platform statistics
and the eloquent harangues go for nothing on
dividend day, and the company is saddled with a
permanent loss. Such is the history of many an
unprofitable line. But the difficulties arising from
this condition of things must not be visited merci-
lessly on the travelling public. Even the metro-
politan stations and extensions cannot be paid for
by increasing the price of passenger tickets. There
is every disposition to give money for money's
worth ; but the augmented power of taxation given
by amalgamation must not be stretched too far.
Already there is a complaint that the union of in-
terests between the London and Brighton and the
London, Chatham, and Dover has resulted in au
increase of 60 per cent. on the third class fares
between London and New-cross ; and if such cases
multiply, the railways will find their first object
defeated in the long run. The railway traveller is
willing to pay fairly for being carried expeditiously
and well ; but he will kick vigorously against past
losses being re-couped out of his pocket alone.
Reduced litigation and improved management will
do more for the companies than any arbitrary
alteration in fares.

SPIRITUALISM r. SCIENCE.

Tire intercourse of Mr. Holt; the medium,
with the spirits may be inexplicable, but if sure of
his ground he is the last man who ought to shirk
scientific inquiry. It is evident from the recent
trial that these spirits were ready enough to
come forward when they could do their master a
good pecuniary turn, and it is difficult to believe
that they will be lees subservient now. The late
Professor FrairDAY, it will be remembered, agreed
on certain defined terms to test Mr. Home's pre-
tensions. The terms were perhaps severe, for the
Professorhad tried the spirits before and found them
wanting, but they were such as a man of science
was entitled to make, and we may be quite sure
that, howe►er opposed he might have been to
spiritualism, he would have readily yielded to evi-
dence had it been forthcoming. Mr. Hoses, how-
ever, declined to convince a man who had declared
himself an unbeliever. Then came a proposal from
the editors of the Spectator, that Mr. Home should
hold a aiance at their office, on the understanding
that every manifestation should be faithfully re-
corded in the columns of their journal. This
was in 1863, but the Medium's weak health pre-
vented his accepting the offer then or at a later
period, although, as we learn from the recent
trial the spirits did not forsake him on ac-
count of his infirmity, but even "attended him
" without intermission in the cab in which he
" went with Mrs. Lrom down to the City when
" she was about to transfer stock into his name."
Once more an offer is made to Mr. Home by an
eminent man of science to tart the phenomena
produced through his agency, and again the
Medium throws difficulties in the way, and post-
pones the investigation to a future period. We
confess that this has an ugly look. Dr. TYNDALL
is an utter sceptic, it is true, but what has his
state of mind to do with these manifestations ?
Dr. TYNDALL will not resist sufficient evidence ; and
this, whether a believer or unbeliever, he is fairly
entitled to demand.

Mr. Lxwes makes, we think, a very fair sug-
gestion when he proposes that the spirits should be
asked to declare whether they would manifest
themselves on • certain day and hour, and to the
company named. " The presence of the spirits
" once guaranteed, I will answer," he says, " for
" the presence of men of science." Unfortunately,
however, the spirits seem to have an instinctive
aversion to scientific investigation, and Mr. Hosts
can, and probably will, fall back upon the expla-
nation that he has no power over their movements.
Be it so ; but it is strange, to say the least, that
they should be ashamed to reveal themselves upon
fitting occasions when the character of their friends
is at stake, and not at all ashamed to render
service of another kind to the same friends at every
convenient opportunity.

LORD CHAMBIRLAIN'S OFFICE MAY 14.--Notice
is hereby even, that the state apartments of Windsor
Castle will be open to the public on and after Thursday
nest the 21st init.
WHITEHALL, MAY 18.—The Queen has been
pleased to present the Rev. Christopher Knipe to the
vimmge of St. Clement's, Terrington, in the county of
Norfoßt and diocese of Norwich, void by the death of the
Rev. Thomas Tborogood Upwood.—Gasette.
The First Lord of the Admiralty held a levee
yesterday at the Admiralty, Whitehall, when the follow-
ing officers attended :—Vice-Admiral W. Ramsay, Rear-
Admiral E. Ommaney, Captain D. Waddtlove, Captain
J. N. T. Sul., Captain the Hon. M. K. Nelson, Captain
E. R. Fremantle, Captain G. Parker, Captain J. W.
Pike, Captain K H. blemish, Commander W. Swinburne,
Commander J. Liddell, Commander C. D. Saunders, Com-
mander A. R. Blane, Commander R. King, Commander
W. G. England, Commander W. Hensley (retired), Com-
mander W. N. Hippisley, Commander R. A. Newman (re-
tired), Commander G. T. Cousin, Commander J. T.
Phillips, Commander the Hon. A. D. S. DenbioiStaff.
Commander R. Studied], Lieutenant C. R. M
Lieutenant J. Ward, Lieutenant R. J. Stotherd, Sa.
Surgeon Wm. Loney, Surgeon Dr. G. W. Moore, and Mr.
J. Tbompoos, R.N. (retired).
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL Socirry.—At the fort►
nightly meeting of this society held yesterday at South
Kensington. theobjects that call for especial remarks were
some new fancy pelargoniums from Mr. Turner, a calls°.
flu of pyrethra from Mr. Salter, and a most interesting
orchid amehnanthc renscifera from Mr. Willisms.
pelargonium was sent by the Rev. A. Rawson, on which
orobanohe eserules was parasitic. Another species of
orobanche has been observed on pelargoniums by Mr.
Bully. Mr. Russell Reeves, F.R.A., presided, and the
following sindid-tes were elected fellows of the society :
Mrs. F. Barrow. Mrs. J. L. Bell, Sidney Riddell, 11. A.,
Mrs Burne, Colonel Arthur Herbert, Dowkier Countess
of Lancsboraugh, eharlee Meeking, JUL. Kim K. A. Neal,
Mona. Le Chevalier De Roam (advocate of the curt of
Paris), Mies Williams, Ac.

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