New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-01-29

house in London, and known to the general publica
crony of the Prince of Wales and fond Of fire en-
gines He has never shown the smallest sign of
pacity for political life but he Isl valuable recruit
to Lord Bcaconseld, for the reason stated London
or at least few hundreds of people who call them
selves London-have been discussing, for some
weeks, with all the langud interest which polito
society permits, the question whether the Duke
really would, or would not, go to this dinner. To go
to take service with his hereditary foes but he
has gone and long will his going be remembered in
the house of Leves0D-G0wer. His son and heir, the
MARQUIS of Stafford, remains staunch Liberal.
TIE other Tory dinner given by Sir Stafford
Northcote. at his official residence Chancellor Of
the Exchequer. The Opposition leaders, unhappy in
having mansions provided for them at the public
expense, received their friends IN their private
houses, or, in Lord Hartingtons case, in Dcvonshre
House, which is, for the time being, his fathers.
Lord Harrington. being unmarried, lives in London
under his fathers roof, which will be his own roof
when he IN turn becomes Duke OF Devonshire.
At each of these four dinners the Queens speech
the terms of which had been settled IN Cabinet
Council and approved by her Majesty at Osborne,
was read. The courtesy of public life in England
is carried far that the Ministry communicates
the message lin these days ii is more often called
message than speech-a plain case of Americanizng
British nstitutions to the Opposition leaders, and
they in their turn take this means Of imparting it
to those of their supporters whose political rank
entities them to invitations to one other of these
Parliamentary dinners. Remark however, that
the dinners are purely and exclusively Parla-
mentary private secretaries only excepted. There
editors still less are there reporters. Over
all the proceedings hangs that veil of decorum, Of
social conventiOnality. which forbids the guest
to repeat TO the public what he has heard at pri
vate table; and it is none the less private because
Parliamentary, say the expert in such matters. And
nat nha,r thAr fha aanb lima AAna
get-in substance, and always with the pretext of
being sketchcd cOnjecturally-into next mornings
papers. 1t does not appear news it is what you
call an EDITORIAL and what Is here called
LEADER" "leadng article" in which the intelli-
gence is conveyed. Let no man dare guess how it is
done. The fctions must be kept mp. 1t is known,
and not only known but expected and desired, that
TIE substance of the speech shall be communicated
10 the leading journals. But nobody knows who
communicates it nobody would admit that he had
communicated it; nothing is, q rule, think
i may say put IN writing; and some degree OF
pains 10 he necessary on the part OF the edit
of these great journals to the precious in
formation. There must beat any rate there Is in
some casespersOnal application by the editors for it,
and personal interviews take place between them
and some persons unknown who have been privileged
to listen To the reading at some OF the four
hearsals. I once took the liberty to remark TO
London journalist that all this mystery and clrcum-
locution and suggestion of undcrhand dealing did
not seem adapted TO add much to the position or
dignity of the profession. He admitted it did not,
but made the repythe only possible reply, perhaps
which meets you ut every turn III tins country,
aud which everybody expects you to accept as hnal:
- Ii is the custom" G w. s.