The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-15
OUR LONDON LETTER.

NEW YEARS DAY, IONDON.-Nc nave tOBO
back to the days OF tho Crimoan war to ma
year so pregnant with events OF the deepest I'M
port to England M the ono which has Just
closed. For more than twenty years this coun-
try had abstained from taking any active share
i'm foreign politics. aud its apathy and ndifIcr-
cnco had become byword among European
statesmen. 1t was reserved for Lord
Beaconsncld to lift it from it's prostra-
ton, we might almost say humiliation.
and force 1t once moro into tho front
rank OF political importance. The conclusion
Of the treaty OF San Stefano was more than the
British nation could tamey endure, and in
spite OF the agitation Of the pro-Russian party
in the country. II excited a national feeling
which carried the Government to tho verge OF
n war. and enabled the Prime Minister
to weed his Cabinet Of its wenk-kneed
members, md boldly adopt n policy which
gavo England moro commanding posi-
ton than she had enjoyed for years. and to
roll back the Russian wave for the time at least
from tho shores OF the Bosporus. Whatever
may have been the defects OF the Berlin
Treaty. and they were manifold and So
rious; whatever may have been tho oppor-
tunities neglected and mistakes made. there
can be no doubt that the powers OF Europe
regard England with feelings very different
from those which they entertained toward her
twelve months ago; or that the year 1878 is dcs-
tined to be known as n turning point In her his
tory. II is not unlikely that the year which Is
now opening upon US may turn out even more
evcntful than that which has closed. and that
we are only in tho Introductory stage
Of a stormy and anxious period. We
have two wars on hand at this moment, neither
OF them. it is truo. Of any great magnitude.
with n most porplexing and difficult problem
10 solve I'm the protcctorate which has been un-
dertakcn in Asiatic Turkey. the responsibility
OF governing and developing new acquisition
in the Mediterranean. and the obligation to
force upon Russia in the spring OF the year tho
execution OF u treaty which she has shown her
self extremely reluctant to fulfil.
While tho political horizon is heavy with dark
and stormy clouds the commercial and Indus
trial outlook Is still moro serious. II 1878 has
been n year OF active and energetic policy
abroad. 1t has also been a year OF the deepest
financial depression and gloom. Never has en-
terpriso been so stagnant. capital more tightly
locked up. or trade 40 anguid. Few years have
recorded 80 painful n series OF bankruptcies
and liquidations under discreditablo circum-
stances or have afforded more abundant evil
dencc Of declining condition OF commercial
morality Tho results are being felt through
oil classes OF the British population. and while
tho atmosphere is charged with rumJrs OF wars.
and few arc so sanguine as to believe
that we shall escape great conflict with Rus
STA. the shows Of war are weaker than they
have been these many years past. and the ma
ton has not. during the last quarter Of n CEN
fury. been so little in a condition TO assume the
burdens Of the incrcasodtaXa and other sac
rinces which n European struggle must entail.
In spite OF all this. while the pressure on tho
poor increases and the absolute necessities Of
existence become moro difficult to obtain. the
passion for luxury constantly augments. Ono
would suppose that in the presence Of con-
Iuncture so threatening, n general tendency
would be developed to curtail private cXpendi-
lures and take in all superluous sail. in
anticipation Of the coming storm. SO far
from this being tho case. the struggle Of the
middle classes to vie in luxury with the rich
is keener. while the rich are moro lavish and
profuse than ever in the extravaganza Of
their expenditure. 1t has been always
so with nations whose crisis Is nj
hand. Tho bubble looks most gorgeous
at tho moment before It bursts. There
is vague feeling OF impending danger
but there is also an instinct to Danish an apprc-
hcnson which may rum, the agreeable dow OF
ycry-day life. People get druggcd and stupe-
fed by the efforts 10 discover new forms ofsocial
| excitement and 70 crafty senses which have
become palled and worn out.
So this year may be said 10 have been render
| cd famous by the craze for popular beauties. 1t
| is new thing for photographers 10 make for
| tunes out OF tho faces OF regning bellies
| yet no city promoter OF swindlng companies
ever hit upon n more lucky vein than the
| Photographic proprietor Of Mrs. Langtry
or Mrs. CORVALLIS West. These two ladies
have been taken in every costume and
attitude. and hundreds OF thousands OF
| h.t n,,la ha.. Iaa a.
| ly for home consumption. but for exporta-
ton. II a now photograph appears oil a
back view Of Mrs. Langtry or Mrs. c. West. look
ing with one eye over fan, there is rush for
it which can only DO accounted for by an idiotic
mania on the part Of the public. arising from
the faded and morbid condition OF their taste foI
novelty. which l have described Now the
| photographers are putting their heads together
10 bring out new beauty whom have had the
| honor Of seeing at n private view but her sue
cess does not altogether depend upon the artist
who exploits her charms. She must be stamped
| with the approval OF certain fashionable
but not over stralght-laced clique. who
will probably before very long find il
TO their interest TO go shares with
the photographers in the profits OF the discove
ry. In fact. it is becoming evident to me tina
photographers are going TO become the grea
social factors Of the future in dexterous comb
nation with the social weeklies." / don't Sc,
why they should not soon obtain the control
tas we say OF company's sharesl OF so
ciety The social weekly" is also quit,
a modern and growing institution, and plays
great part in the life OF the beau monde Giver
a woman who is toleraby pretty and bright
with rich husband-it matters not what the
origin may have been or how they made the
money-and with the photographer and tn
editor OF social weekly" as inthnes. there i
nothing to prevent her from aspiring T.
the highest branch of the social tree. il she on
plays her cards we'll. 1t IL necessary that two par
ties should combine TO bring out beauty. Thi
creature having been found. it does not mucl
matter where. a paragraph appears about he
Of n piquant character in the social weekly.
followed by two or three about the lady WHOM
we will call her Promoter, who Ia
also until then been socially unknown. The
photographs of both ladies with their name
under them appear in shop windows. The
the editor Of tho social weekly" introduces
lordling Of celebrated propcnsitios to the Pro
moter. who invites him to dinner with til
beauty. Then he Introduces moro fricnds. an