The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-28
LONDON GOSSIP.
A Dull Session Of Parlia-
ment.
AMERICAN PATRIOTISM" ABROAD
Things Social, Courtly and The
atrical.

LONDON Feb. Is, 1875.
The session Of Parliament has opened IN . re-
markedly dreary manner, and although an
enormous programme has been put forth In which
at least forty-fve bills were, on Monday night
promised by private members. 1t Is believed there
will not be anything OF an eventfui nature. The
Marquis OF HartinQ toms criticism on the Queens
speech was q very mild performance, though 1t
seemed satisfactory to that liberal party TO which
he has just been acknowledged the leader. In the
middle OF his delivery he stuck dead, forgot his
words, tried back and was fully TWO or three min
utes before he recovered the thread Of his ais.
course. He was patronizingly chaned oy Mr..
Disraen who seems to have begun the session IN
wonderful spirits, though he is said. by those who
know, to be in anything but good state OF health.
The noticeable feature OF the opening night was
the speech OF young Mr.. Stanhope, son Of Earl
Stanhope, the historian, who. in moving the
adoption OF the address, displayed an amount OF
rhetorical ability IN which young Engshmen are
commonly deficient. The temperance OF Lord
Elcho In the House OF Commons on Tuesday night
was welcomed with loud cheers, and Mr.. Disraeli,
the Speaker and many leading members OF both
parties crowded round to shake his hand. 1t may
be remembered that last year Lord Elcho was
absent from the House throughout the entire ses.
sion on account Of deep domestic afniction, the
death Of his son, who was attached to the Asian
tee expedition, ana died on the voyage home Of
fever contracted there. The business which Lord
Elcno has in hand Is to bring In the Municipal
Metropolitan bill for providing o new government
for this enormous city. The bill has been consid-
erably modified since IL was spoken OF last year,
and many OF Its details are unknown but no one
doubts the necessity for some alteration in the
matter in which IL proposes to legislate. The
Arat Avhf n fha To Cead
to take place on Monday fortnight, when
the Regimental Exchanges bill is to be
brought forward by the government This is a
measure which proposes to allow oflcers to ex-
change from one regiment to another by payment
OF money. The liberals declare that 1t Is merely
an attempt to bring back the system OF promotion
| by purchase. which was abolished under Mr.. Glad
| stones regime, and are determined to oppose 1t
tooth and nail. The rejection of the measure will
| be proposed by Mr.. f. G. TreveIyan, who lea the
van in the abolition Of the purchase question, and
there will be a very strong whip of members on
both sides Of the House. Among the notices OF
motion which have been put upon the paper are
| two by Mr.. E. J. Reed,
| THE Ex-coNsTRUcroR OF THE NAVY,
and the wen known shlpDuilder. One OF them ls
humorous. Mr.. Reed Will ask the First Lord of
| the Admiralty whether it Is true that the Board
| OF Admiralty have ordered the observance OF a
religious ceremony. comprising the reading Of a
prayer, at che launching OF Her Majesty's ships.
and If so, whether IN those cases in which
the launches take place in tidal rivers
and harbors with strong currents, the dock
yaros and private contractors have been or are to
be relieved OF all responsibility for any accidents
or disasters that may arise rom the suspension
during the ceremony OF the important and often
critical mechanical operations involved in the
launching Of heavy shps Mr.. Reeds other mo-
ton Is very sensible. 1t is on the question OF
ARCTIC DISCOVERY,
and he suggests that the government should de-
fer the despatch OF the proposed Arctic expedition
for twelve months, IN order tnat arrangements
may be made with other governments who have
the same idea, and that all the various expedi-
tions may be sent forth simultaneously, thus
nsurtng far greater chance OF accomplishing
their object.
Annexed I send you some observations, which
extract from the Scotsman newspaper upon the
subject Of
AMERICANS IN LONDON.
Tho Scotsman is the Times Of Edinburgh, and
one OF the most important papers in Britain. 1t
has always been celebrated for the excellence Of
the writing contained IN 1t, and for the trust
worthiness OF its news, the political portion Of
which Ii received without doubt from a leading
man in the liberal party. The opinion here set
forth you must take for what you think 1t worth,
but guarantee that 1t Is given in earnestness
and fully believed in by It's writer. Here Ii the
paragraph
The number of Americans permanently residing
IN London has largely increased during the past
year. and Is still increasing IL Is probable that
there are more Americans here than in Paris; but
one c0ony-they are scattered about all over
the west, the westcentre, the southwest
seem TO court each Others society, but
prefer that OF Their English friends; and,
0' the superloTy o. American nsttutIons.
Very few Americans are to be found on the Sur
ing Cross. Bayswater and Remington are their
avorite districts, but great numbers OF them
have taken up their aoodes In Chelsea, Brompton,
HIgnga;e and lslingtoD. l am told that these
voluntary exiles entertain gloomy views concern
ing the future OF their country. They cherish
mint that ne VIII proclaim himself DICTATOR ere
long. II one reproaches them for deserving their
reply, in choice American, that 'patriotism is
played ont" and that in this age every one must
mothers SPEAK with sadness OF the difficulties
which they encounter at home In the edu-
them from the contamination OF the social atmos-
phere there II is unsafe. they say, 70 send girl
10 boarding school ID Boston or New YORK; and
there Is more vice than virtue taught to the boys
in American colleges. Many OF these people have
come hither simply that they might educate their
from the contamination OF American lie. 1t Is
cuiiously interesting to near them speak Of these
tuluHs Anu VI INC IubuIc VI ftepuOuC Inc IDOsb
OF them look upon the Republic doomed.
president Grant," they say 'is determined 10
but an lndomltable WILL He IL wonderfully SELF
reliant, tenacious and obstinate. He is resolved
to be reelec,ed In 1876. II necessary he Will put
the whole South under martial law, and count HIM
self In upon returns manufactured TO order. He
has risen to his present position from the lowest
obscurity; he has faith In his inytncibe success;
he chefishes ambitions like those OF Napoleon
These are the things which one hears in American
circles in London--that Is to say, when your
American Is In frank and communicative mood.
don't know now correct these represen tations
are but 1t Ia certain one no longer hears from
Americans that bOmbastic Dragging which IN
former times marked their conversation. They
have swung round TO the o,her extreme, and are
now as respondent as they used to be exultaDt.
COURT AND SOCIETY TALK.
The latest bulletins announce that Prince Leo
pod is slowly regalning his health, so that we may
hope that the corner Is turned, and that the