Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-07-28
From Our Regular Correspondent
Our Euronean Letter.


Our European Letter.
LONDON. Eng. July IL. 1880.
English soeiety-that of the higher life
seems to be sadly deteriorating and the
upper classes are getting to DO as lax as in
the days of the seventeenth century, which
Swift scored and Steele satirized. To be
sure the ladies now are cleanlier, and
their conversation graced with better
grammar and more refined phrases than
when Lady Bellaston made love to rantom
Tom Jones, but the atmosphere seems to
be settling down to the same old miasmat-
ic level, and even the most conservative OF
the English press begin reluctantly TO
acknowledge the unpleasant fact. The
professional beauty is. one. of the out
growths of their silly idleness; the!numer-
GUS scandals published and half hidden are
the fungus growth of their foolish style of
life.
The press in London, markedly conserv-
alive as it is, has been compelled to com.
menco war upon the evils induced by
the present social system and manner Of
existence. and woefully laments the in
crease of Indifference to the proper de-
mands of decentiand exemplary conduct
for the b,nefit of those of other and infe-
riur classes.
The marriage of the marquis of Anglescy
with Mrs.. Wodenouse was surprise to
every one and not the least. suspect, to
the noble marquis himself. 1t appears to
have been a sudden thought, acted upon
with great promptitude and dispatch on
both sides. The new marchioness of
Anglesey is An American by birth and. as
" Minnie King" was one of the brightest
stars in the imperial court at Paris. Sub.
sequently she married the Hon. Henry
Wodehouse. brother Of Earl Kimberley.
He was diplomat and died Of typhoid
fever at Athens. For some years after her
widowhood Mrs. Wodehouse Presided in
London and was highly popular. At one
time it was currently reported she intended
to make her home in Jerusalem the
Golden" but fortunately for English
society she has elected to settle down as
a, English marchioness, and she will. no
doubt,b be warmly welcomed on her return.
The American element in high society has
now receiveda powerful addition-already
it was very predominant. Many of the
h.ndsomest and most popular among the
LEADERS, of fashion hail from your side Of
the Atlantic. Vicountess Vaudeville, Mrs.
A.ther Page. the Hon. Mrs. Warrington,
Lady Randolph Churchill. and now the
narchioness of Anglesey, form galaxy
difficult to match, both for looks and social
charms.
The most shrewd newspaper oracles in
Europe regard the Turkish question as
one on the eve of final settlement. 1t is
MT at all improbable that the sultan will
fight for a scrap of territory the size Of
the state of Maryland after seeing the
vast regions in three continents taken
away from him and his empire dwindle
from the size OF the entire United State,
to the present limits between Greece and
Austria. The European powers are look.
ing on with avidity to catch the chance oil
the rich prize of Constantinople, which
must soon pass from the dynasty of the
Mosem and become the ward of one or
more nations, Austria and Russia are
Iopposed in policy and interest, and theirs
is the most positive feature of the ensuing
complications. The grim serenity will
which the Turk approaches his fall is en-
tirely characteristic of his modern natur,
and equally unlike tina: Of the conqueror!
who won the empire and forced th,
Christians back to the walls of Vienna
Their religion has lost its enthusiasm anc
their soldiers the superstition and fierce
ness that once achieved conquest. AnC
Europe has declared in sentiment, if no
in words, that the Turk must go.
ALPHA.