Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-04-13
From Our Regular Correspon ientl
European Letter.
LONDON, Eng, March %, Il


LONDON, Eng. March Is, 1881.
Correspondents Of several journals claim
that the great statesman, Mr. Gladstone.
is as well as ever. Such and similar re-
ports come from men who scarcely ever
see him. or who are utterly lacking in
powers of observation. But an evening
or two ago. in the house Of commons,
sat watching him hour by hour, SORROW
fully and full of pity and tenderness.
Heaven knows What the present govern
ment woGld be like deprived of this grand
soul John Bright, a magnificent entity,
is but cipher in thy house, whatever he
may be in the cabinet. Lord harrington,
though clever beyond his repute, is obsti-
nate and self wiled. Sir William Har-
court, is dangerous and truculent. There
sat the poor prime minister suddenly
grown to he IN old man. with his hands
lying listlessly crossed upon his lap and
his once strong figure placid from lassi-
tude. The appearance of great age was
undoubtedly heightened by the closely
fitting skull cap, which he wore low down
upon his forehead, concealing his massive
head. The tightneSs of the cap irritated
him, and every now and again he would
raise his right hand above his head and
lift the crown of the cap an inch or two,
easing the pressure against his wound.
The premier looked older, paler and
feebler. because he sat between the home
secretary and secretary of India, two of
the largest and physically most powerful
long with us on Friday night, but when
he came to the table to speak his weak
ness was made still more manifest. his
voice was feeble, and its music had sunk
to an uncertain piping treble.
1t is stated by those who are supposed
to be in the secrets of the cabinet that the
question of placing further restrictions on
the obstructionsts is being seriously dis
russed. If. as is only too probable, those
Irish members, who mendaciously profess
to represent the feelings of their country
men, should extend their objt ctionable
tactics to matters not connected with Ire
land. it would be impossible for the house
to tolerate their presence, and there would
be no choice left but to deal with the
offenders individually, and impose II pen
atty which would rid the house of their
presence for mt least considerable period.
The evil weighs heavily on the loyal Irish
members, for the discredit falls on them as
we'll rs on the obstructionists. The fact
cannot be too strongly dwelt on, that
these unruly members are only II minority
of the representatives, of Ireland, and are,
moreover, men of no social position what
ever. 1t would be a woeful day for Ire.
land if her destinies were ever entrusted
to such men rs these.
As the DAYS 20 on the assassination OF
Alexander ii. assumes deeper Importance
The shell that fell at his feet has produced
CONSERVATION in the camp of all the mon
archs. They and their statesmen are
seriously deliberating how to put an end tc
such attempts in the future. While on
the one side there has been a'general ex.
preston of horror at the act, on the Other
there has been Il loud and very wide.
spread cry OF eXutaton and glory in it
| N,;nny from, INnpaya pnriv Nnuy Vnrl-
Chicago. the great cities of the world
have cried out in concerted approval
This says that nihiiSm or socialism is Il
power in the world; has numbers; mean!
"a voice, and, if called on, an arm to dc
any deed of desperation. And this power
is arraycd against the mon;=oirs.- The
mOnarchs propose an agreement to stamp
it out of Europe, ut least, by allowing i
no right Of asylum anywhere. Whether
OF no this will be effected remains to be
seen. London has long been the fivortt
home of socialism and revolution; nor hu
England been always averse to maxim;
secret use of these agents.
The custodian of her majesty's COL,
pantry at Windsor Castle, just reudere,
vacant by the death of Mr.. Goring, is Al
Office of great trust, rs might be inferre,
from the fact that when the queen enter
tanned the emperor of Russia, shortly afle
the marriage of the duke and duchess q
Edinburgh, gold plate to The value of som
100000 is said to have been used. A
a rough guess the royal gold and silve
services at Windsor Palace are probabl
worth about e., 100000, and include som
very tpe specimens of artistic workman
ship.
[ AUGUST.