The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-12-31
VOL. L.--N0. l22.
EUROPE IN TIE HOLIDAYS.
ALiRM CAUSED ny THE DANGEROUS
CONDITION OF NJ GIMBETTd.
Discussion OF MFR. Gindstonc's New Cabinet
The Distress in Irelnnd-Prepnringt Co Re-
ccive Louise Michel In l.ondon-Revcin-
lions In Prince Krnpotkine's Papers.


ccive Louise Michel In Iondon-Revcin-
tions In Prince Krnpotkine's Papers.
Special cable Despatch to ne sun.
LONDON, Dec. 30-Tho Christmas week in
London has practically gone for nothing in tho
matter of business and in English politics has
produced only u deal OF doubtful discussion of
Mr.. Gladstone's now Cabinet and how he is
going TO manage it. On Thursday Sir Charles
Dixie waited on hor Majesty ut Osborne to kiss
the royal hand rs he was intrustcd with the
insignia OF his place in the Cabinet. Ten years
have made great change in Sir Charles. and
II he is less interesting to republicans now 1t
Is perhaps because ho has developed different
ambition Tho Queen does not like him. She
cannot forget his attacks on tho royal family
and on tho civil list but Mr.. Gladstone who
stops at nothing. has overcome her scruplcs.
and made his radical friend Minister. In
respect to Irish affairs hc Is In favor Of sub
stantial reforms. and will serve to counter
balance LORD Derby. who thinks tho sooner the
Irish are packed oil to America the better. The
prosecutions OF Mcssrs Biggar and Davitt are
TO DO pushed. "a is also that of Mr.. O'Bricn. the
editor of United Ireland. who will probably
be returned to Parliament for Mallow. Moth
ing has resulted from tho recent Investigations
at Dublin Castle. and the police arc apparently
as far rs ever from the track of the murderers.
Westgato. who was brought back from Jamaica
at no little expense Is simply a half insane i'm
poster whom there is no law to punish. Tho
most tangible thing in ireland is the distress
and misery Of the people in the western
districts particularly In the places whore there
are hundreds OF evictcd families without
shelter and starving. Tho information about
these Is derived chiefly from the Catholic
priests. whose own resources are all exhausted
and about whose dwellings tho unfortunate
creatures are gathered begging piteously for
potato or a pound Of corn meal. There are
no members of the human race whose condi-
ton is so abjectiy wretched as that OF the
starving people in the west Of Ireland.
The condition to-day Of NJ. Gambetta cxcites
great alarm. He is undoubtedly very danger
ously i'll. not directly from the pistol wound.
about which there has been so much scandal.
but from the breakdown Of his constitution.
His doctors seem to fear the worst. internal
abccesses having developed and threatening to
require severe and dangerous operation.
Even under the most favorable conditions NJ.
Gambetta is removed from the political field
for some time to come.
Louise Michel is to deliver lectures here and
tomorrow a large meeting OF Socialists and
Nihilists will be held to arrange for her recep-
ton. Jules Wales will preside. London is full
OF foreign Socialists whose activity is uncon-
cealcd. Extraordinary revelations said to
be contained in the papers belonging to Prince
krapotkine seized at Thonon. They implicate
an incredible number of Russians who enjoy
high social and official distinction. many prom
inent officials. and even one member OF tho i'm
rerial household. The examinations OF the
Prince are continued at Lyons but nothing of
importance has been elected from him. His
friend. Elys6e Reclus has written to the court
Offering to surrender himself to take his tria.
by the Princes side.
The conclusion Of the Belt libel suit in n YER
diet for Belt for s25 900 was not wholly uneX-
pected. Both the Judge and the jury took an
inartstc view of tho matter. and gave little
heed to the testimony OF tho distinguished
Academicians. who one and all condemned
Belt unsparingy. The jury saw him model
ling in their presence. and saw that he made a
likeness Of his sitter which. coupled with
fcting tcchnicalties in the evidence of the
Royal Academicians. characterized by the
Judge as worthless as expert testimony. Sc
cured him his verdict. 1t is difficult to describe
the excitement which it has created in the art
world Of London. a large and influential por
ton of the community or the indignation with
which it is received by the Royal Academy
Tho result is. no doubt. great triumph for
Belt. and the popular view Of it is decidedly
favorable to him. as was indicated by the en-
thu5iasm with which the verdict was received
by the crowd at Westminster who bore the
palace yard. With artists nothing could reha-
blitate him. The case will be appealed. and 1t
1t is thought that only the first chapter OF it has
been completed. SO far it has cost sl75,000
Sir Harding Giffard getting $4,000. Belt has
no money personally. rich merchant named
Treso supplies him with the sincws.
The winter exhibition of the works Of the old
masters and OF deceased English painters was
opened at the Royal Academy to-day. with tho
aIIar;a dad
with a fashionable and distinguished assem-
bage. The chief attraction was the collection
the pictures OF Dante Gabriel Rossctti. tho
first view that the public has had of the works
OF very extraordinary man. who, whatever he
thought OF his pictures and his writing. GER
tanly wieldod great influence. on the art and
letters Of his time. Now that his pictures have
been collected and exhibited, they make deep
impression. and will for some time absorb tho
attention Of the art public to the exclusion Of
al other topics.
The warmest approval Is expressed hero over
the feeling shown in America on the subject of
civil service reform and the projects OF free
trade legislation which have lately come under
discussion. A great deal Of slicpticsm is ex-
pressed as TO the possibility of a sweeping and
radical reform being instituted all at once by
such legislation rs appears to be at present
attempted and Of which the motive is not here
believed to be sincere
Irish society is disturbed by the eiopement of
Lady MacNaghtcn wife Of Sir Francis Mac
Naghten and daughter Of DR.. W. II. Russell.
with n wcl-to-do land agent named Thornhill.
She had four children and an uncXccptional
social position. The young man she ran away
with is very good looking. and has lost his en-
tire income by the proceeding.
daughter OF tho Earl OF Wicklow Lady
Catherine Potro. took an overdose Of choral
yesterday and was found dead in her bed
Two More Accidents ON the New York and
New Eng land Raiirond.
PROVIDENCE Dec O-Thls afternoon when