New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-08
4 PET or THE ARISTOCRACY.

A PET or THE ARISTOCRACY.
The appointment of Colonel Valentine Baker
as the head of the new gendarmerie is pro-
nOunced by our regular London correspondent
the most astonishing incident OF the Egyptian
campaign. This is the English officer who
grossly insultcd lady in a railway car several
years ago, and was tned, imprisoned and CASH
tered for his misconduct. He had been dash
ing cavalry officer, winning his spurs in the
Kafre war of 1858, carrying oil medal for his
bravery at Berea, and serving with great dis
tinction in the Crimea, whore he was awarded
two medals for his GOODNESS and intrepidity in
the battle of Tchernaya. Promotion followed
promotion until he was Colonel of the 10th
Hussars and one of the most popular men in
London society. Suddenly this bravest of cav
alrymen, with his courtly manners and social
graces, was disgraced for lite and deprived OF
his rank in the service of which he had been one
of the brightest ornaments. The offence was
so fragrant that the prospect OF regaining his
reputation was apparently hopeless. 1t was
Claring breach of public morals and COM
mon decency which ought to have ruined him
for life.
But the Judgment of English society seems
who began by excaiming Poor Valentino"
ended by explaining away his offence as an in
discretion for which he had been harshly pun
ished. When he rendered his services to the
Sultan during the war with Russia, he became
the hero of the gilded youth of London.
While he proved q useful officer in enforcing
discipline and was actively engaged in one of
the closing skirmshes of the campaign, he
acquired only moderate degree of distinction
in the Turkish service; yet upon his return to
England he found rank and fashion ready to
receive him with open arms and to overlook the
disgraceful incident which had marred his for
tunes. He had not been fighting for his own
country. He had not performed any heroic
exploit. He had been helping " the unspeak
able Turk" and not very efficiently either.
Yet his arrival was celebrated by dinner
given by the Duke of Sutherland, at which the
Turkish Ambassador, Lord Houghton, Lord
Strathnairn and many other notable personagcs
were present. and subsequently by reception
at which the flower of English aristocracy was
represented. This was in 1878. The clubs
were not open to him them but owing to the
influence of the Prince of Wales and the leaders
of the London fashionable world, even this
restriction was removed not long ago. Baker
Pacha has remained in the Sultan'S service and
has made himself useful in reOrganizing regl-
ments and introducing British regulations and
tactics. He has done nothing whatever to blot
out the remembrance of the shameful episode
on the railway train for which he was expelled
from the army. Yet his offence is now so far
condoned that even a Liberal Ministry can as
sent to his nomination to the most responsible
post in the Khedve's service. and the prOpriety
of the appointment is not questioned by any OF
the London journals.
The fact that an officer who had so foully
disgraced himself should be able after few
years of ignobe and mercenary service at Con-
stantinople to regain his footing v it'll rank and
fashion and to receive an important appoint
ment from the Government is dscreditable to
English society. Our London correspondent
says that the sole explanation is Colonel Bakers
personal popularity i'll high quarters where 1t
has always been thought that he was too Sc
verely punished. "POOr Valentine" having
been for many year the pet of the aristocracy,
ia now given position of official dignity
where he can retrieve his blighted fortunes.
1t may be that he will do his work so well that
q peerage will be granted him in the course OF
time after General w olseey and the Ashantee
set, together with the Admirals, are properly
rewarded. But even if he fails to get the peer
age, his position in English society is toll
erably secure. Now that his military qualities
have received the official sanction of Mr.. Glad
stones Government, he will find not one but all
the clubs open to him the next time he returns,
and will be- welcomed at all the great houses.
Nor Is there the faintest probability that the
Saturday Reuier, parodying its remarks on the
of President Garfield and the trial
of Guiteau, will review with caustic humOr the
results of several hundred years of unbrdled
and conclude with philosophical
gravity that the aristocratic "helot may at
least be thanked for an instructive lesson"