New-York tribune., 1880-06-20

switches and the stability of the structure, it
was an excellent idea to experiment early in
the morning, when tleir cars were fille1 with
their own wOrkmen. In like manner, it will
heartily approve of the time and place when
this new collision occurred. If it be necessary
in order to promote the ends of navigation that
steamers should smash into each other, by all
means give the passengers a chance to get off,
so that the crews cannot have any excuse for
creating panic. IL is Idle to shudder over
what might have been'if the accident had hap
pened q short time before, when the decks OF
the excursion boats were crowded with pleasure
seekers. 1t may not be amiss to reflect upon
what may happen any day in our harbOr if
reclIlcssness becomes a habit with river pilots,
and proper precautions against collisions and
panicS are neglected.
The personal announcements and social
gossip in our special cable dispatch from
London are as thick as raisns i'll Christmas
cake. Fist of all, and pleasantost to hear,
Mr.. Lowell is the idol of society mt the height
of the season. and has won great compliment
from Lord Granville as business ike
dplOmatist. Next, and saddest of all, Nine.
Nilsson is not coming to America next season.
The great Bernhardt has surpassed herself in
n new part Bret Harte is to repeat one OF his
American lectures in England, and Mr.. Hughes
will be glad to take his place ON the platform
when he comes to this side early in the Fall.
Finally, there is q rum0r that Charles Reade
recent religious experiences have made such
an impression upon him that he intends to give
up dramatic authorship and become preacher.
His familiarity with law and medicine has
been revealed in his works, so that course of
theological study is all that is required TO
enable him TO write a new novel that will edify
the three leading professions His lawyers,
however. have been weak, and his doc
tors too fond of their hobbies 20 be
thoroughgoing practitioners whereas his types
Of clergymen have been excellent specimens
of muscular Christianity. They might be
spoiled in new work by an excess OF theology
Cant, however, they would abOminate, unless
Mr.. Reade were false to his instincts.
"Thc Jove of French politics" is the title
which our Paris correspondent cOnfers upon
Gambetta in SPECIAL cable dispatch. He has
issued his decree, and complete amnesty is to
be proclaimed. He became convinced that
Ministerial trimming on this question was
running the party anu uduldSLiS Ills lCPu-
tation us a practical politician who knew what
the country insisted upon having. He sent out
a call for a conference, first, to his old-tlme War
Minister and political associate, the Premier ;
next to his personal representatives in the
Gambettist Ministry and, finally, to the
President of the Senate who was recently
elected with his consent. The President of the
Republic was not invited but his presence
was scarcely necessary, as his political functions
under the present constitutional system are
comparatively unimpOrtant. When the doors
were closed Gambetta told them what must
be done. His men gave their assent after an
hours debate. The Premier has already
introduced an unrestricted Amnesty bill. 1t
was q good thing to do, for the crimes OF the
Communists were expiated long ago III the
barrcades of Paris and in the places of
execution where vengeance rather than justice
was meted out. No possible harm can come
from setting free o few hundred cxiles. The
incident Is not q bad omen for the Republic.
1t ouly illustrates the personal ascendancy OF
Gambetta IN French politics.