Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-07-23
IFrom Our Regular Correspondent.
Our European Letter.
LONDON, Eng, July II, 1879

Travel on the continental railways is
fraught with dangers unknown TO those
who have only travelled on the more DEM
ocratic and Ito my taste) more agreeable
railroads of the United States. The d.
vision Of railway carriages into compart-
ments may have some advantages in the
separation of ones self from disagreeable
people, but does it necessarily follow be-
cause a man is able to pay a first-class
fare that he is therefore first-class trav-
cling companion? Ny experience leads
me to believe that oftentimes the poor
traveller, male or female, may be and fire.
quently is quite as well-behaved and as
considerate for the comfort of his or her
associates on the rail as the man or woman
who carries Il heavier purse. l seriously
object to being locked into a compartment
for a ride of two or three hours with most
persons with whom l am not personally
acquainted. have vivid recollection OF
my last ride from London to Brighton
with an Englishman of brawny proper
tons and good muscular development.
We were quite alone from the time we
left London bridge till the train pulled up
at the Brighton station. 1t was p. M.
when we started and quite dark. After
riding together for quarter of an hour in
silence, my companion began converse
ton, asking me if l was foreigner, and
what my purpose was in travelling. After
few minutes he put to me the rather d.
rect question, How do you carry your
money while traveling?" told him that
l generally had it on my person, and by
skilful questioning he drew out of me the
knowledge that had at the time about
five hundred dollars in my pocket. Of
course l was Every fresh " to tell it.
Then he said, "What is there to prevent
my cutting your throat, taking your mon
ley and throwing you out of the Window"
I knew of nothing in particular to prevent
it save perhaps his lack of desire and told
him so. He then began TRADE against
the foolish custom of the English in this
respect, and incidentally criticised various
other Anticipated railway usages-relics Of
the past-such as the silly warming pans
for the feet, the glass knob which you
break with your cane or umbrella, if you
happen to have one, when you wish to
alarm the guard and have the train stop
ped. If you have no instrument of that
nature concealed about your person you
are expected to borrow your assassn's
walking stick for the occasion, or his UNI
brella, if he happens to carry one. Then
my comrade spoke af the dim, dull light
ing of English cars, so different from the
American gas-ighted railroad car, with
its iced drinking water elegant seats, per.
feet system of ventilation, water closets
and currents of hot air in the winter sea
son running underneath each seat. The
English have much, very much, to learn
from "Our American Cousin in railway
management. So have the French. But
they don't care to learn it, unfortunately
for themselves; also for us, when we have
to ride OH their railways.
Ministers of this government are obvi
ously preparing for n general election, bu
whether it will be taken this year or mex
depends greatly upon the condition of the
revenue and the Zulu war. A hot sum
mer and an abundant harvest would afforC
a cheerful prospect; whilst an early ter
mination of the unfortunate South African
adventure would permit the chancellor oil
the exchequer to meet his constituents
without an apprehension of having
troublesome inquiries made about the
financial future IL trust" he told tho
lower hamlet conservatives, "that before
the sands of the present parliament have
run out we may find ourselves in position
to return to the constituencies an honorabl,
and noble record of the way in which W,
have discharged the trust with which W,
have been honored." In other words, tn,
cabinet ministers hope to make up thu
national accounts in respect to the eastern
question, the Afghan question and TIN
South African question before they submit
the statement of their administration O
public affairs to be finally judged by tn
country. Sir Garnet Wolseley, to who's
proceedings immense interest not unmin
gled with anxiety attaches, may extricat
affairs in Zululand from the wretche,
thorns and briers wherein they are en-
tangled; but the public excitement conse
quent upon delays and disasters, anon.
the most painful of which the loss of tn
: gallant young prince imperial, who hat
won golden opinions from all sorts of PEG
pie, is not the least, will require fulle
explanation than can as yet be afforded
There is no knowing what political strf
and fury the death of the prince imperia
may give rise to in France, where the re
public seems gaining in strength and pub
lie respect. The contention of ambition
spirits inf1amed by the removed of the hei
of the emperor, may possibly create embar
easements for Europe by which Englan
could not fail to be affected. The dflicul
= problems in the execution of the treaty {
Berlin are being overcome, and althoug
= the schemes which have been set on foe
y may occasion anxiety, general reconcile
ment is likely to be effected, unless som
great continental convulsion should occu
u to disturb the prospects of peace. TIL
:, possibility of new trouble in Franc
u would incline the British cabinet to q
y early dissolution OF parliament in orde
that the .anxieties of a general electio
., might be got rid of before the apprehent
y ed trouble occurred; so that anything lik
y good news from Sir Garnet Wolsele
. might determine the ministry to take tn
" election in October Although no resolr
= ton has yet been come to, preparation
are on foot and the activity of minister's
=. partisans meets with corresponding excl
- lions on the liberal side.