New-York tribune., 1879-12-21
Ipy CABLE TO THE rRIBUNE-I

IpY CABLE THE rRIBUNE]
LONDON. Saturday, Dec. 20. 1879
The popular demand of the Liberals for the
leadership of Mr.. Gladstone is temporarily denied.
Oficalism friumphs. and the Wings retain control.
Mr.. Gladstone declined personally to second his
friends efforts. Earl Granville and Lord Harting-
ton continue che nominal chiefs The social In
Huence of London, landowning timidty. and the
selfish alarms aroused by Gladstone's Midlothian
declarations Prove more powerful with the party
managers than the manifest demand of the great
majority Of To, Liberal party
TIE SHEFFIELD CONTEST.
Pirate Liberal advices express much apprehen-
sion in regard to the Sheffield contest. The whole
Catholic influence, the Duke of Norfolk leading.
supports the Tories Nearly all the pseudo Liberals.
formerly supporting Mr.. Rocbuck. opposed Mr..
Waddy. the Liberal candidate. Mark Firth lead
ing local benefuctor supports actively Mr. Wortley.
the Tory candidate. The Irish vote is divided; the
priests support tho Tory candidate, while leading
Irish Members Of Parliament advocate the cause of
the Liberal candidate. Mr. Mundella, the Liberal
Member for Sheffield, yesterday pledged himself
ready to prove that the Government had resolved to
annex Afghanistan. aud had ordered 750 miles Of
railway to be constructed there. Millar, absurd
person, who was ncminally Republican candidate,
has withdrawn. Strong Jewish efforts are being
made for the Torey candidate, but Mr.. Cohen.
Baron Rothschild's nephew. advises the Liberal
Jews to support Mr.. Waddy.
JOHN BRIGHTs TRIBUTE.
John Brighvs fine euogy of Amenca. at tho Free
Trade meeting at Rochdae, clcits numerous acrid
comments. The Tory journals castigate Mr.. Bright
nd America equally Mr. Bright partly excuses
American Protection on the ground of the necess-
ties of war. His declaration of the impossibty
of his making American visit only rcaffirms the
resolve he has often privately expressed. Doubts
respecting his health the sole reason.
THE IRISH DISTRESS.
The Duchess of Marlborough's letter soliciting
aid for Ireland is considered an official admission
of the severity Of the distress In the Western dis
tricts. The Irish Of all parties welcome her pro-
posals. The Duchess writes also to the Lord Mayor
of London. who promises to help. 1t is believed
that her appeal foreshadows the purpose of the
Government to give substantial relief. The Gov
ernment papers now say that the distress, while
confined to limited area, is undoubtedly severe.
and urge employing the Irish church surplus In
relief.
THE NAPOLEON MEMORIAL CRAZE.
The national memorial to Prince Napoleon is
abandoned. The Westminster Abbey statue it is
believed is also relinQushed. Private friends ap-
piled TO the Duke of Sutherland for permission to
erect statue outside Stafford House. which was
granted provided the statue is approved. This ap
parently ends the national Napoleonic demonstra.
tions
THE TICHBORNE CLAIMANT
Professional opinion is divided in regard to the
application to reduce the Tichborne Claimants iin-
prisonment TO seven years. which IL is reported Is
based ON the American precedent in Tweed's and
other cases. The granting Of the fiat by the Attor
ney-General does not prevent his opposing the ap-
plication. The papers profess horror at reopening
the case, but the question is purely legal. The ar
guinent is expected TO take place in February.
IENNYsoN's NEW PLAY
The first representation Of Tennyson's onc-act
comedy Falcon" at the st. James's Theatre was a
complete dramatic failure, Notwithstanding careful
preparation and costly mounting. Mr.. aud Mrs.
Kendall were ansuited for the chief parts.
Int no actors could secure success. The
niece throughout Is merely versified nara
tive. and wants action and dramatic
interest. The management placed Falcon as an
afterpiece. anticipating catastrophe. The au-
diencc contained numerous friends of Tennyson
There was some applause. but the public received
the piece with perfect coldness.
"oLp LovED sUccEssFuI-
Bronson Howard's Bankers Daughter" under
the title of Old Love-" and now much modified by
Mr.. Albery, has been produced at the Court Thea
TIRE with considerable The critics say 1t Is
among the most prominent recent dramas not
vithstanding the hackpeyed subject
Mr.. IRVING coMrLrMENTED.
AFR. Irving has received letter from Mr.. Glad
stone saving his ShylOck has given him great
pleasure.
LIBERAL OFFERS.
scribuer g. Co. offered Mr.. Ruskin $400 for
short article on the cathedral Of st. Marks at
Venice. and 81 900 to Browning. the poet. Both
refused.
Mr.. WHISTLER ETCHING.
Later reports from Venice report Mr.. Whistler as
eompeting series of twelve etchings, under con-
tract with a London publisher for $4,000.
THE PRINCESS LOUISE.
The Princess Louise sails for Canada on JAN
nary 2z. G. W. S.
THE RHINE PARTLY FROZEN.
LoSDos. Saturday, Dec. 20, 1879.