The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-12
METROPOLITAN MELANGE.
Celebrating Christopher Columbus
and the Big Bridge.
Gossip About the Lily-Military Murmurings
Getting Ready to Blow Up He'll
Gate-PersOnal Points.
Correspondence of the Indianapolis Journal.

correspondence OF tne Indianapolis JOURNAL
Z YORK, May 10.-The date reminds me
that just seven years ago this morning Gen
eral Grant and Dom Pedro, of Brazil, pulled
the lever and opened the throttle-valve
and declared open to the world the
stupendous exposition that marked
the completion of one hundred years of
American independence. 1t was just about
such a morning as this-dull, foggy, warm,
and before MONDAY bursting out into the
cioudless loneliness of a perfect May-day.
The topic calls to mind a conversation
which l had with the Hon. WilliamW. Aston,
United States minister to Italy, just before
he sailed for Rome Some remark led me to
express regret that New York had not carried
out her plans for a great exposition in honor
of the constitutional government, on its hun
dredth anniversary, this year. Said he:
1--WE will have a greater celebration than
that, soon; in fact, the greatest ever held in
the world"
"When?' l asked.
"In just ten years from date"
At the moment 1 didn't notice what ne was
driving at, and looked puzzling and inquir-
ing, I suppose; and he went on:
Don't you see? The year 1892 will bring
us the -four hundredth anniversary of the dis
covery of America by Columbus. Well, it
seems to me that every nation and
State and tribe on the continent
of the new world, from Point Bar
row to Cape Horn, should join in a celebra-
ton worthy of the event it commemorate
And 1 am sure it could be held in no more
81 -1,oo H. IT, r
world"
Subsequent talks with other prominent
capitalists, business men and political lead
ers, show me that there exists very generally
a sentiment that such a plan should be car
ried out, and that in order to do so worthily,
work should be commenced very soon. All
the nations of North and South America
should be invited to unite in it, and it would
thus be a far better peace congress than the
one recently attempted and so miserably
abandoned. A suitable ground should be
selected, and well drained, and
some imposing structure of permanent
character, like the great Trocadero
Palace in Paris, built. 1t should be forever
held III trust as the common property of an
international American league, where from
time to time congresses of representative of
AuleFICdl nations might meet IN the interest
OF peace. prosperity and the advancement of
American interests and institutions.
General Grant was heard to say recently
that he believed the force OF United States
civilization would in time attract to this
country all the petty States of the continent.
They would look hither for counsel, exam
pie and patronage, even if they never were
actually annexed to this country. In fur
therance of this idea, he would strongly favor
such a celebration. But whether it be inter-
national in scope or not, this city is bound
to have a great time in 1892.
THE LILY's LATEST.
Mrs. Langtry is to appearhere next season
in a play written especially for her by Dion
Boucicault. This fact 1 have on no less an
authority than that of the genial Dion him
self. He did not tell me, however, that it
would be like all the rest of his plays, a mere
readaptation of a French play by some other
author. He has been on the most friendly
terms with the Lily since her return to this
city, and has taken several dinners with her
and Freddie, who wrote him a note that was
correctly spelled, with the exception of the
actors name, which appeared as Boost
cault." Well, Dion first wanted to get her
up an Irish play, but she demurred. II
haven't been through London for nothing"
she said; land | want to show people what |
know about society" So it was finally ar
ranged that Dion should write her an Eng
glish society comedy, with perhaps a few
Irish characters to give it variety. Mrs.
Langtry's own part is to be exceedingly
prominent, she appearing in every act, and
the arrangement being such that she will
have an opportunity to wear three different
costumes, one of them being a ball dress with
the very minimum amount of material about
the bust.
Going last week, Thursday afternoon, to
Miss Kate Pattison's benefit, THE Cynic,"
at the Fifth-avenue, I espied Mrs. Langtry
occupying a proscenium box. Freddie sat
close behind her, with his folded arms rest
ing on the back of her chair, and his face
within six inches of her cheek. After the
first act he came out and took his stand in
the central aisle of the orchestra, about half
way down, or in the center of the house.
There he stood, as conspicuous as a scare
crow in a corniield, all through the second
act, diligently sucking the silver-plated knob
on the big end of his cane.
The next day | called, late In the after
noon, on a friend who lives in an uptown
apartment house. A handsome team and
carriage with liveried coachman and foot
man stood at the door. On the harness and
panels the monogram 'F. g." was conspicu-
Gus. Entering the building l found the jan
itor and servants in a state Of excitement
bordering on mania.
Faith, num- cried one, IAN its herself,
it is, and she's come to visit Mrs. D."
AN if yell allow me to say so, men,"
added the elevator driver, as | entered that
vehicle, "its no great shakes for beauty she
is, at all. Sure, there's many a girl in Down
patrick that'd sicken her wild envy"
The friend on whom | called told ME the
Lily had come several times to visit Mrs.
D.
THE %janitor, and servants, and even Fred
dies coachman, and every mental she comes
in contact with. hates her like poison" she
added.
why, I wonder2'
Because she's awfully overbearing and
tyrannical in her treatment of them. She
never asks; she orders. l guess she never
learned how to say please or thanks to q
subordinate, or even smile at one"