New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-11-29

right side cleaned and gowed and blazed the great
diamond star which Sir Richard Wallace gave to
Lord Beaconsfield not long after Lord Beaconsfeld
made himself Knight of the Garter. There was
nothing comparable to it amid all the splendor
around him the three stars which Count Beust
wore; Count Minister'S splendid decorations; all
the gold and scarlet uniforms, all the ladies'
tOettes brilliant with gems, grew dim and pale
beside this one resplenden trnket 1t is famous all
over Europe. 1t is the star which the Marquis of
Hartford wore, for the tashioning of which that
wealthy nobleman sought far and near the finest
stones in ChrIStendOm stones OF matchless purity
and brlancy 1t is, should say, quite four inches
ndiameter and the red cross IN the centre IS COM
posed Of rubies which have long been the envy of
all lovers of precious gems. The cost was 100000;
and have heard it noted as not the least curious
thing in its history that the legatee of Lord Hert-
ford, who gave it to Lord Beaconsfeld, should be
baronet of Mr.. Gladstone's creation. This was,
believe, its first public appearance on Lord Beacons-
fields coat He wore 1t once last Summer at
party given by Lady Salisbury, in ArlingtOn-st.,
just as the season came to an end and when no
more parties were looked for. All that wasleftm"st
fashionable in London was hastily got together
that the two new Knights of the Garter might air
their decorations once before the world broke up.
The ceremony was like that which sometimes occurs
when a Prince of the Blood or q Sovereign OF
another country is received in London Lord Bea-
consfeld sat on q sofa in an inner r0Om and before
HIM defiled long array of Dukes and Duchesses
and great personages OF every degree. lie shook
hands with some, to some he yOuchsafed Word
of greeting recogniton to many he merely bowed
his head as they passed. But he rose for nobody.
He received with bent brow and immovable fea-
lures the homage done him. To him il was the Wis
ible token of his triumph. With that and the garter
he must have been as near to perfect happiness as
it is possible for o man to arrive in this world.
The Difference paid him was the proof of his reach
ing that place of social supremacy which has been
one of the ambitions of his life the star was the
shining symbol of his political renown which he
coveted not less He ought, l heard one of his adj
mrers say-he ought to have gone home that night
to die. But that does not seem to have occurred TO
him. 1t would be presumptuous TO cast doubt on
his patriotism. But il may be unreasonable to re-
qulre of modern hero that his patriotism should
take the form of suicidal sacrifice The for
eigner, whose interests not wholly bound
up in the prosperity of England. may be glad that
he spared himself. If he had taken his leave then,
we could not have seen him tonight at the Guild
hail. and he would certainly have missed tr-
umph not without value in his eyes, though surely
poor compensation for the swift decadence OF
popularity and power which probably awaits him;
HOW LORD BEACONsFIFLD LOOKED.
The great man moved so slowly toward the Guild
hall platform that everybody had a good look
at him, and could judge for himself whether
he looked well or i'll. Lord Beaconsfed's
friends have taken some pains lately to
spread the belief that he is unusually WELL
They have taken so much pains that / could
not but recollect the remark had heard from lady
OF much wit; that she knew she was growing old
when her friends began to tell her how young she
appeared. In truth, Lord Beaconsfeld has right
TO the gentle consideration offer to great age and
many infrmities If / speak of his appearance with
brutal frankness, it is because his health is part of
the public domain. 1t is matter with which the
welfare of England is bound up While his strength
and vigOr last, his magn influence lasts. A man
who wishes well to this country must be excused if
he notes respectfully, but with particularly,
the signs of decayng power in her evil
genius. He walked as a man might walk whose
propelling power was due to some machinery inside
of him. There was q gingery stiffness of movement
about him. as if he were not quite sure the clock
work might not run down before he had got to his
appointed place. He leaned on Mr.. Montague
COrry's arm and leaned heavily. His face was what
his face alwaysls, an lmpcnetrable screen Tor the
restless brain behind it. few minutes later had
a still better chance to study this mysterious coun-
tenance In his place in the procession which
marches from the library INTO the banquetng
hail. Lord BeacOnsfeld made the circuit of that
great room, and it CHANGED that the procession
came to mOmentary halt as he was near the end of
the table at which stood. | had no more scruple
in staring at him than l had in staring at the
grotesque figures of Cog and Magog which haunt
the corners of the gallery. Nor was he any more
conscious than they of the attention bestowed on
him; at any rate he gave no more sign of 1t. Not
muscle of his face moved; they hardly looked as If
they could move. He had the Lady MayOress on
his arm. Once he bent to speak to her, and
whatever the observation he cOnfided to her
may have been, it was delivered without
change Of expression or CLEAN OF life
IN bis sunken eyes. l never saw n human
visage so SCARED and scored with strange lines Not
the least strange thing about them IS that they
as full of power as they are Of fantastic meaning
The parchment which hides his skull is strained
tight as a drum-head over the prOtruding bones be-
meath the eyes, and hangs in angular wrinkles just
below Beyond doubt 1t is thoughtful face, and
beyond doubt, also. profoundly cOntemptuOus of
other peoples thoughts. There is strength in the
jaw and genius in the forehead; with a hooking
glitter IN the CLASSY eye which bellies both which
almost suggests that he despises himself only less
than he despises the race whom he governs. With
all that, the face has an immense fascination for
the behoder. Lowell said that the Venus of Milo
made all other Yenuses seem ignobe. This man.
with his incomprehensible mixture of great quail
ties and incredible fIppancy, makes the greatest Of
his rivals seem commonplace. Even Lord Salisbury
who is not unworthy, with his sallOw unfathoma-
BILE vsage, TO be the descendant of Burleigh looks
as if his chief had found him out and as it, with all
his pride of birth and pride of intellect, he knew
it, and was fierce with the fear that other people
should know it too.
CAUTIOUS SPEECH.
Tlo ,,bo1o eoapo in which I bava bordly man