New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-05-23
THE PEACE OF EUROPE.
EARL RUSSELL'S DEMONSTRATION IN THE
HOUSE OF LORDS.


HOW HE WAS HUNDRED BY THE BRITISH FOREIGN
MINIsTER-THE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ATTACHED
TO THE DEBATE BY THE FRENCH AND GERMANS.
IRON THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUSE.l
LONDON MAY John Russell, first Earl Russell,
formerly lbv courtesy called Lord John Russell,
and more commonly. with less courtesy, Johnny
Russell was born some time after the discovery OF
America by Christopher Columbus, a GenOese, in
1892 The date given in the Peerage is 49,? but
am inclined to think that is two or three hundred
wears too late. Mr.. Thoms the foe of cenenarians,
is known to bear him particular enmlty. He-nOt
Mr.. Thoms but Russel-cOmmanded the British
feet in the battle of La Hogue in 1892, and this
proves the inaccuracy of the wel-knOwn historical
sketch by Sidney Smith, which represents
him as taking-Or willing TO take, which
is the same thing-cOmmand Of the Channel Fleet
during the present century. He has been Bishop of
Glasgow, fought at Edgehill with the Roundheads,
and at Newbury with the Royalists--a striking
proof of his impartiality-was accused of being con-
cerned in the Rye House plot and reported to have
been executed but as he mas since published num-
Der of amusing historical works, and has been at
times Prime Minister of England the story of his
execution was clearly mistake of some scribbling
fellow careless about facts For the last 80 years or
so his friends (he still has sOme have done their best
TO keep an eye him, but they cannot prevent his
breaking out at intervals, and doing queer things.
He is not often dangerous His great amusement
has been sending long letters TO the various
Foreign Ministers of Europe, telling them what
they ought to do with extracts from the copy books
out of which, in his second childhood, he is once
more learning to write. He is given to melancholy,
and those who are about him take every means to
dispel it. They practice on his vanity and on his
credulity-the two strong points of his character
and assure him that he is still important person in
public affairs and that England holds her old place
as one OF the Great Powers Of Europe, Foreigners
who give attention but seldom to what goes On in
these islands are sometimes misled by this little
comedy, and when the poor old man gets up in the
House of Lords-tO which he is allowed access be-
cause it is supposed nobody will notice what he says
and makes a kind of speech foreign affairs, the
foreign newspapers think it means something 1t
is partly Lord Derby's fault. who likes to humor
him. and partly that of the English newspapers.
which are glad to enliven their columns by what
they think harmless nonsense.
An ncident-perhaps l should say accident-of
this kind occurred this week. The rest of the Rus
sells seem TO have been occupied with another men,
Der of the family about whom a scandal has arisen
no doubt an unjust and wicked scandal, for to
suppose the contrary would be to suppose Russell
capable of mean and selfish action The Earl, there
fore, found his way down to the House of Lords.
and rising suddenly from his seat, made motion.
Unpopular notion that Earl Russell stands bench
when he speaks is mistake. l am able to state
from personal observation that when he sits down
his feet very nearly reach the floor and when he is
on his legs his head rises to considerable distance
above the back of the bench, aud he is distinctly
visible TO persons behind the bar The newspaper
reporters do not ike to print all lie says and they
have a way of prefacing their notes by the remark
that the noble Lord was heard inpcrfectly. This
again believe TO be an unworthy disparagement Of
the noble Lords remaining powers. BY watching
his lips you can be quite sure lie is saying some
thing. and by close attention sounds be heard
issuing from them, which, alter time become ar
ticulate and continuous.
II was a little past when the form Of the noble
Lord first lowered above bis seated coleagdos' OF
whom not less than ten were present. Az tmee con
.titutc quorum this iuil attendaHcc-s-S icy al.