Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-09-08
Iron Our Regular Correspondence
Our European Letter.
LONDON, Eng, Aug. "a. 1880.

Our European Letter.
LONDON, Eng, Aug. "a, 1880.
The lamentable business in Afghanistan,
which is creating such tremendous con-
sternation in London at the present time,
is a curious instance of how history re-
peats itself. Forty years ago England
refused to aid Dost Mahomed against the
designs of Russia. Recently she refused
to aid Shere Ali against the same insidious
foe. In 1s4l, an instruction broke out
in CaDul and Sir Alexander Burnes was
murdered. In 1879, Sir Louis Cavagnari
shared similar fate. The insurrection
was followed by the defeat inflicted on her
by Akbar Khan and now she has sustain
ed another defeat at the hands of Ayoob
Khan. England retrieved the former and
she will retrieve this; but in neither case
should the disasters have occurred. The
most incomprehensibl part of the present
business is the withdrawal of her troops
from Cabul. This proceeding is looked
upon with absolute CONSERVATION by think
ing men. 1t is difficult to understand
why it could he sanctioned at such crit
ical iuncture. Even the ultra peace party
could hardly be guilty of the folly of
leaving General Roberts absolutely with
out a base of operations. 1t is feared that
the country shall yet have to pay dearly
for this gross error of judgment.
The cable will have informed your
readers ere this of the tragical death Of
Miss Nelson, whose body has been
brought to this city for burial. Some
few years ago the famous Blanche d
Antigny who, like Miss Nelson, sprang,
so to speak, from the gutter, died in the
same way, on her return from Cairo, in q
room at the Grand hotel, with her I'm
opened trunks standing before her. The
coincidence may. strangely enough. bt
developed still further. Blanche d An
tigny was to large extent the original o
Zoa's Mana, n dramatized version o
which is to be brought out next season II
the Ambigu. The difficulty, however, il
to find a blonde woman to play the role
A well known French actress had spoken
to the author of the play, Mr.. Busnach, o
a beautiful English actress who spok,
French like native. Mr. Busnach asked
for an interview to be arranged. TIL,
English actress was no other than Mis-
Nelson, who has died much as Mana died
Just on the point when she was about t.
he asked to create the character before
French audience. Miss Nelson did in
reality speak French with facility, al
requirement which she made in her early
Bohemian days. She is said to have beer
born in 1850, and to have made her debu
at Margate at the age of fifteen. Sh
made her debut in London in July, 1865
MS Juliet, at the Royalty theatre, withou
attracting any particular attention. Ate
playing in London and in the province
in Il variety of roles she made at last {
great chit" at Drury Lane as Am,
Robsart. This character, together will
that of Juliet, became her two great parts
She also played a number of leading roles
of the repertory, and achieved both il
England and the United States a popular
success which has rarely been equaled
Few actresses have obtained such brilian
triumphs and such brilliant terms. Mis-
Nelson has been hatteringly called thu
Sarah Bernhard of England. 1t cannot
be said that she had no talent; she had
something more and less than talent
namely, charm. The beauty of her per
son and the charm of her smile captivateC
all who saw her.
DR.. Schleman, the discoverer of ancient
Troy, who was in London few days ago
is naturaized American citizen. Ii
answer to question when he thought o
returning to the United States, he said
" If that depended upon me, l would g
over instantly and would never agail
leave the great county. But my days are
numbered and my minutes are precious
Besides, in America | cannot be of an
use to science, whereas | may still be Q
great use to it by continuing my explora
tons in the Orient, where Sardes in ASH
Minor, Lycosura in Arcadia and Orchom
enos in Bolata impatiently await thei
delivery by my pckaxe and spade.
AUGUST.