Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-05-04
From Our Regular Correspondence
Our European Letter
LONDON. Eng, April 20. 1881.

| OuF European LeuoT
LONDON. Eng, April 20. 1881.
The growth of many centuries, London
bears in It's street architecture the impress
of many minds. and the marks Of many
changes of fashion. Unlike the cities of
to-day. which are marked out, planned,
and built upon paper while the clay which
is to make bricks for their buildings still
lies untouched in its natural bed. London
has grown street by street, house by house,
according to the caprices of its property
holders, or the necessities of its popu-
lation. Yet rapidly as it changes, old
districts remain which bear distinctive
features plainly pointing out the period of
their origin. Among these one of the
most marked is that in which capacious
mansions rose in the vicinity of spacious
squares. These latter features of that age
of architecture have proved an inestimable
boon not only to those for whose gratfica-
ton and benefit they were originally laid
thousands who live in less favored spots,
clustered only too thickly around these
healthy Gases in this desert of dingy streets
Extensive as many of these squares are, the
very reason of their origin proclaims the
fact that even in those days London was
outgrowing itself, it was becoming too
great to admit of private gardens being
appended to town mansions, and the
square, public only to the surrounding
inhabitants, appears to have been the hap
Ply compromise hit upon. Both mansions
and squares still remain, but most of them
are quite turned from their original pur-
pose. The former have been converted
into suites of offices, and the latter. instead
of being the resort of fashion and beauty
are deserted gardens, kept up or neglected,
according to circumstances.
You will hear lot of irresponsible chat
ter about the Prince of Wales being " a
business man and hard worker, but
rarely are you told of his boon com panion-
ship characteristics among men. From
one who speaks from the social circle chair
of the royal days and nights with the gay
prince, learn that in being up early and
going to bed late, in bold rubber of
whist, a bout with billiards and turn at
roulette, to say nothing of a "back bottle. -
he can put all his rivals under the table
and stand up alone himself unscathed vet
considerable. He never allows time to flag
with melancholy where he is, but rather
fly with mirth He never permits word
of scandal or an innuendo to pass without
a rebuke, and always defends the absent.
In few things is he unable to paint moral
and adorn tale either in the English,
French or German languages; and no
proper person, high or low, with distin-
gushing ability in arts or sciences, in re-
fined social attainment or elevated national
views, can fail to gain the ear and the ap.
prevail of this generous prince and future
king of England. 1t is not, therefore, to
be wondered at why he is so popular. A
true man, a perfect prince and boon
companion are not always found in one
/ person.
Lord Beaconstield's death has thrown
the entire city of London in mourning
His place ut this most critical time cannot
be flied and his loss is severely felt, moi
only by his party, but also in the house OF
which he lately became Il member. 1t is
doubtful whether the house of lords has at
all the hold on the hearts of the English
people that most people outside of England
suppose it to have. Ii has strenuously op
posed most popular measures and the peo-
pie in the house of commons, which is and
ought TO be the ruling house, are growing
weary of such continuous and profitless
opposition to popular will on the part o.
Legislators by inheritance. 1t is certain
that the proposal to abolish the house o
peers would meet with widespread, if as
yet to some extent, secret sympathy
There is likely to be bitter conflict there
over Mr.. Gladstone's new land bill, and il
will take more wisdom and discretion thar
the lords have been in the habit of mani.
Testing to prevent them from putting tn,
last straw on the back of public patience
Lord Beaconsfed was an excellent Judge
of how much might he dared in the fac,
of public feeling and Of the turn of the
tide. AUGUST.