Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-02-26
NEPOTISM IN ENGLAND.
How Brainless SwelIs are Pitchforked
Into High Positions in the British
Army and Navy.

London Cor. Philadelphia Bullotin.l
The appointment of one member
Of the royal family to the rank of rear
admiral at a time when the gravest
charges are constantly brought against
another, who holds a still more distin-
guished position, should be sufficient
excuse for the discussion of the ques-
ton, even,' etc. This passage occurs
in one Of the most radical of the
weekly journals, and expresses a feel
ing that has been in existence ever
since the Crimcan war. Deferring for
a moment a discussion of "the white
feather which, it is alleged, the Duke
of Cambridge displayed in that mem
orable war, let me say that among the
majority of thinking people the pro-
motion of his royal highness the Duke
of Edinburgh TO the rank of rear
admiral, is not popular, and | very
much doubt whether it is not equally
unpopular in the navy. Prince Al
fred, as we yet occasionally call him,
bears a character which | cannot
justly describe as estimable. He is
not amiable in disposition, like his
brother the Prince of Wales he is
not remarkable for acknowledge of his
profession, and, not to put too fine a
point on it, he is in nature, and to a
considerable extent in practice, a
miser, Of course, the country was
fully prepared for his royal highness'
promotion, and really it only seemed
fit and proper that the Earl of Bea-
eonsfeld should. through the admir-
atty, Of course, have the bestowal of
the gift. But what if we have a dust
with Russia. An irrational question to
ask, perhaps, but one that's being asked.
nevertheless. Should that day come
we shall want lighting admirals who
will not be swayed by no family
considerations whatever. The Duke
of Edinburgh is doubtless brave
-most men are brave when the
pinch comes, for that matter-but he
is the husband Of a daughter of the
house Of Romanof, and, It we are to
profit by the teachings of the reigning
political power in this country, that
house is England's sleepless enemy.
| believe that princess are men as
we'll as princes-that princesses are
women, and that blood Is thicker than
water. AtqRy ratc, be my individual
| opinion what 1t may, people arc dis
cussing the new r|ear-admiral from this
family point Of view, and az o snap
pcr-up Of unconsidered triAes / make
note of the fact. Ii ia amusing TO find
the alleged c0wardice-this is an ugly
word, but it must go-of His Royal
Highness the Duke ofCambridge crop
ping up at this time. The bluff com
mander- in-chicf might be more popu-
lar than he is. Some faw years ago he
was made TIC subject OF a ruthless
attack in the pages Of a journal called
The Queens Messenger, and although
the journal has long since been DO.
funct, the influence Qf GXlatriatod
Greenyille Mprlay lapor ON The
Duke Of trarobrothor' vet partly re-
mains. (You know, Of course, thai
Farebrother is the name of the actrcs,
with whom his royal highnesss con.
tracted a morganatic marriagel fiji
sons-under the paiAe Of Fitz George
have been carefully looked after il
the matter ofnayal and military pTo
motions, and are popular IN society
but as to the old gontleman-well, this
charge OF oOwardiec sticks to him likr
a burr to a ] ady's mantle, You hayl
heard, ] dare say, hat it has bccl
circumstantially made by Colonc
Dawkins. Let me revive Il flor tn.
sake of giving completeness to tn.
story copy the following passages
with the intervening comments, from
the radical weekly journal to whicl
| have already adverted
A DUKES cOwARplcE
AT the battle Of Alma | witnesse,
| the way in which the Duke of Cam
bridge failed to advance and lead Of
tho Guard to the support Of the Ligh
Brigade, which no long left TO igh
| alone, while we 1.-THE Guard looked Of
far In the rear, aud without which de
lay the partial and temporary repuls
. aud the loss Of life could hardly hay