The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-29

down. With Italy and ireland at variance
with the Holy See, while England enjoys its
confidence, and the Crown Prince of
Germany has been sent by Bismarck to
kiss the Pope's toe, what are we to
look for next? Perhaps, however, none of
these things are any more surprising than
the recent declaration of his Holiness that
there is no country in which he is so much
a Pope as in the United States. In discuss
ing Irish affairs, for the present l am
glad to be able to assure you, on the author
ity of the Chief Secretary, that crime is rap
icly diminishing in that land. In October,
1881, agrarian crimes, other than threaten
ing letters, reached a total of 246. Last Oc-
tober there were 81. In November, 1881,
there were 257 such crimes. In this past
November there were "a over the whole of
Ireland.
London is never without its sensation, and
during the present week the divorce suit of
James VS.. James has held the boards. the pc
titioner being Mr.. Arthur Dacre, the we'll
known actor. There are three correspond
ants and a counter-charge of adultery, with
other complaints is made by the wife. 1
have no remarks to offer on the merits of the
case, but simply refer to it as one example
out of many of the morbid tastes that lead
people to crowd the courtroom at such
trials. The jam has been something terrible.
JulSC, July dlu OOllCtlOIS ali COilpldltlttiS
that they could scarcely move about to at
tend to their business. Naturally a large pro-
portion of the audience are theatrical people.
But aside from the special interest
which these must feel in a trial which in
wolves the reputation for chastity of a broth
er artist, l am inclined to the opinion that
the London players nave a penchant for
courts of justice. l have seen leading men,
bers of the profession at Bow-street, and
have heard of their going in large numbers
to the Old Bailey. They were verv conspic-
uous at the O'Donnell trial. The common
remark is that they go to these places TO
study character. Probably, however, the
chief reason why they go so much is the
same that takes so many other people there.
l suppose, too, that they have a great deal OF
time on their hands. Where, as in London,
the same play holds the boards frequently
for months at a time, and no rehearsals or
learning of new parts are required, actors
and actresses must be hard put to at times
to know what to do with themselves. What
a pity that more of them do not take to solid
reading, or seek distinction as writer's, or
court fame in their spare hours in some de-
partment Of science. Such occupations as
these would not only furnish them with
pleasant and profitable diversion in the in
terVals between their ordinary employment,
but might open to some of them new paths
to renown. | have often wondered if the
stage has not proven a living tomb to many
q man and woman who in the sterner con-
tests of life might have reached the highest
distinction and usefulness, for there has
always seemed to me to be an obvious con-
nection between the ability to appreciate
and express great thoughts, and the ability
which originates such thoughts, and
1 have ever had the impression
that those who can effectively represent
great characters on the stage, might, with
the proper effort, win a great name for them
selves and WELD a powerful influence in the
real drama that is constantly going on in this
work-a-day world.
TEMPERANCE REFORM.
When reliable information is desired it is
best to go to headquarters. So your CORE
spondent thought, and accordingly, wishing
to give your readers a s~uccinct and correct
statement OF the temperance reform in Eng
land, a few inquiries were addressed to Mr..
William Noble, the originator and strongest
advocate OF the Blue Ribbon movement,
from whose courteous reply I copy the fol-
lowing:
1T is very difficult to estimate the actual
number of total abstainers in the United
Kingdom, but it is generally supposed that
there are between three and four millions.
As regards the special facts which have
marked the progress of temperance senti-
ment in the last five years, the movement
has created a strong feeling in all depart
ments of the Christian church. Churches
which were closed against US five years ago
we are now freely lent for temperance adj
vocacy. Ministers. of the Gospel, Office
bearers, superintendent of Sunday-schools,
and others who were cold and Indifferent,
are now actively engaged in temperance mis-
sion work. There has also been a wonderful
change IN commercial circles. At many of
the leading hotels, where it was formerly i'm
possible for the commercial traveller to pay
for his wine, they have now what is called a
free table, There is a great revolution 60
ing on in society. especially amongst what
we call the middle classes, and [ believe that
the workingmen OF England are doing much
to work out their own emancipation from
the drink curse. We have sent out from
our section of the movement since 1878 over
1000, 900 pledge cards. The movement dur
ing the past i've years has led to the reduc-
ton of a large number of what are called
"off licenses" and public-house property in
general has been considerably reduced in
value. 1t is difficult to prophesy what legis-
lation we may expect from the next session
of Parliament. AT present we have nothing
but an abstract resolution on local option.
There is a growing feeling in favor OF closing
public houses on Sunday"
In this connection it may interest your
readers to know that Lord Wolseley has re-
Gently delivered a lecture before a temper
ance society. His subject was Success in
life" He recommended total a~bstenance
on the ground of expediency. If, he said,
two lads started together in life, all things
being equal, with the exception of the one
drinking and the other being a teetotaler, it
was long odds on the latter. He added that
in his Red-river campaign, one of the hard
est he was ever on, there was no strong
liquor, and there was likewise no sickness,
and no need for prison discipline. If drunk
enness could be eliminated. crime in the
English army, he contended, would be prac-
tically at an end. II. T.
MIR. Hurd on the War Path.
ST. LOUIS, Dec. 28.-A dispatch from Texas
SAWS. Frank Hurd. COM essman from Ohin