, 1880-01-04
a Batch Of English Political
and Social Gossip.
The Electric Light-Rents Re.
duced by Landlords
''' in Ireland.
Immense Flood in the River Seine
in the City Of Paris.
Bridges Endangered by the Swift Cur
rent and Accumulated Ice.
So Much So that Traffic Is Prohibited
Over Several Of Them.

The Composer Wagner Reported in
Dying Condition.
GREAT BRITAIN. :~-
CABINET COUNCIL.
By. Cable
LONDON, Jan. 3*-Lord Beaconsfleld ar
rived here this morning to attend Cabinet
Council in the afternoon, which it is under
stood was called to consider the Turkish
and Afghan questions. The relief arls-
ing from Gen. Roberts . unex-
pected victory leaves the political
complications untouched Every Government
speaker denies that annexation is intended,
but nobody offers a solution of the problem
how British prestige can be maintained
without permanent military control over
. Afghanistan, involving a powerful army and
vast expense wholly chargeable on the Brit
ISL Treasury.
The Anglo-Turkish difficulty has been half
stihed, half comprised in the usual fashion.
It is reported that Sir Austin Layard, the
British Ambassador at >Constantinople, has
been rebuked by Lord Salisbury presenting
al ultimatllm On mere missionary ques tlon
involving no British subject nor interest.
The stereotyped promise to satisfy, all de-
mands has been made by Musurus Pasha,
the Turkish Ambassador here, and Lord
Salisbury makes the usual pretense to be-
lieve it. The public considers the incident
further proof Of the diminishing influence of
England with the Porte. The effect on
home politics Is distinctly damaging to the
Ministers who still pose as the protectors
of Turkey. The incident irritates their Tur-
cophfte supporters and
AMUsBs THEIR OPPONENTS.
The quasi amicable relations established
yesterday after the long interview Of Sir
Austin Layard with the Sultan were ow-
ing partly to peremptory instructions to Sir
Austin Layard, and partly to the friendly in
tervention Of other Powers. The diplomatic
victory remains with the Porte. Private adj
vices say that Sir Austin Layard is disgusted
and discouraged. There are fresh reports OF
the probable appointment Of Sir Drunlmond
Wolff as his successor.
Meantime the Turco- Greek question is again
threatening to cause trouble. Telegranls
from Constantinople report that the media
tfon Of the Powers will again be declined.
The plenipotentiaries have abandoned
negotiations awaiting further Instructions.
PARNEI1-
Most Of the London papers publish special
dispatches respecting Parnells arrival in
New York, describing the enthusiasm as
extremely moderate. Editorial satisfaction
is expressed at the American good sense.
IRISH RELIEF. :.
The Duchess Of Aiarlborough's Irish relief
fund makes slow progress. The Rothschilds
have subscribed 81 430, the Barings Sg6S, the
C0utts S96S, the Irish Society SE8, the Rt-
Hon. William E. Foster S2+a. There are few
contributions from conspicuous persons.
The total amount hitherto reported is SSS8, 720.
The American subscriptions for the relief Of
the Irish poor would be welcome, but gifts
for political purposes are purely mlscillevous.
THE REV. CHARLES II. STURGEON
writes from Mentone that the nation should
listen to MIR. Gladstone as a call to make
righteousness and peace their guide instead
Of clustering. lie declares that England is
wantonly tramping Afghanistan under foot,
and warns Englishmen that, under such
tutors as the Times, they are becoming ma
tion Of demons. The whole letter is an i'm
passioned appeal to the Christian sentiment
Of the country.
THE ELECTRIC LIGHT.
A circulnstantial account Of Edison's new
electric lamp, sent by cable, produced fresh
excitement. Gas shares fell in some cases 10
per cent, but have since mostly recovered.
The British public thinks Edison cries wolf
too often. Comparatively few timid
holders sold out All their shares
were eagerly bought up. Scientific
opinion is incredulous. Electricians say
that Edison has completely abandoned his
original line of experiment, the failure OF
/ which was predicted at the beginning. No
ri
will convince the people here. Moreover,
those induced to invest are deferred by Edi-
sofl's bad faith in having obtained money for
that purpose and then turning bis attention
to other subjects, wholly neglecting the tele-
It was reported that new French inven7
tion for the production Of electric light will
shortly be made public. It is alleged that
remarkable results have been attained.
AMERICAN RAILROAD STOCKS.
In answer to Inquiries respecting the prob
& Hudson River Railroad. stock on the
London market, eminent bushes men say
that the whole amount will doubtless readily
be taken. A leading broker remarks that
! anything Julius S. Morgan d. 20. bring out
DINNER TO VANDERBILT.
A dinner was given last night to Mr.. Van
derbilt by Mr. Paleston, NJ F., at the Con-
seryative Club. The guests included Sir
DrummOnd Wolf, Canon FaTTaT, Sir James
Anderson, Mr. Fender, Mr.: Samuda, and
| other railroad and financial celebrities:
There were twenty-four covers. Excellent
| speeches were made.
CHANNEL TUNNEL PROJECT.
There is a fresh movement respecting the
| Channel tunnel The Chairman Of a certain
| South of England railway asserts his belief
| of its completion within ten years.
| !. NEW BOOKS.
tits reported that Col. Stanley is preparing
a biography of his father, the late Earl Of
Derby. The preface will be written by Lord
| Beaconsfeld.
The late Sir James 31acdona1d's ''France
Since the First Empire" excites peculiar in
.terest among F1enchmen. Few Englishmen
knew French politics equally we'll. He wrote
| the articles in the Times on French affairs
when that journal supported the Liberal pol
| lev, Jules Favre writes to Macmillan d Co.,
! the publishers, warmly commenting the
book, and announcing that it will be trans
| lated'by Nine. Fav1e.
!, THE ARTS.
| There was private view oday at the
Royal Academy Of the winter exhibition OF
the works Of deceased masters. It attracted
an artistic, literary, and fashionable throng.
The exhibition is numerically small. Slr
Frederick Leighton. says it becomes more