Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-05-30
From Our Regular Correspondent
Our European Letter.
LONDON. Emo. Nav l6. 49,

A very sensational report was circulated
a day or two since respecting the move
ments of the Fenians. 1t was stated that
they intended to attack Nova Scotia with
armed vessels and torpedoes, and there
was scare in Halifax in consequence.
Later kilograms from the commander-in.
chief of the British troops in Canada
have arrived. and General M'Dougall
declares that to take place torpedoes in
the harbor would be an easy task, but
nothing had been heard of any suspicious
vessels. He had given orders for an
extra sentry to be placed at the powder
magazines, but no other military instruc
tons were given, and. on board the war
ship stationed there the rumor of a Fenian
invasion was treated with ridicule. 1t
was, however, supposed that, as Monday
was fixed for Brady's execution, some
plan of vengeance was meditated.
The opposition is very much awake
Just now, and in the campaign after the
Whitsuntide holidays we may expect
some fierce attacks upon ministers and
government policy. Not for years has
the conservative party been so hopeful;
but it is not expected that the mere defeat
of the liberal party on the Bradlaugh
question will have INN ediate results.
Probably the feeling is that if victory can
be won in small matters, the feeling of
the country in favor of the tory party will
increase, and thus the opposition will be
greatly strengthened. Sir Stafford North
cote has not for a long time addressed his
forces in such hopeful terms. He declares
that the sterility of the present session is
owing in a great measure to the admins
tration having lost its hold upon the
House. This is of course cheering to the
heads Of tho conservative party, but the
public generally will not by any means
anticipate the immediate fall of the gov.
ernment. Defeats of a more urgent and
positive kind must meet government meas
ures before the conservatives can hope to
SGCulC IL uCW lOboC vi pOWCls IL Is ldlu,
however, that the opposition promises to
be far more Influential than it has been for
years past.
The duke and duchess of Edinburgh
were to have started this week for Moscow
to be present at the coronation of the
car, but their departure was postponed
until tine 18th inst. The rumors that this
delay is owing 20 some discoveries respect
ing nihilist plots have we believe no
foundation. although German journals
assert that the nihilists are more than
usually active.
The royal college Of music is in fair
way of becoming the national institution
the Prince of Wales desire it to be. OF
the large amount Of money intended to
be raised about one-thrd is received, and
the prince is very anxious that the re.
mainder should be speedily subscribed.
He has suggested that grand concert be
given in the Guildhall as means of
increasing the endowment fund. and that
he with the Princess of Wales and other
members of the royal family, would
attend it. The subject was brought before
the common council on Thursday, when
the lord mayor proposed that the sugges-
ton of the Prince CT Wales should be
carried into effect, and on the motion OF
Mr.. Manners the request was complied
with. The concert will, therefore, take
place at an early date and will be a
brilliant affair.
The dreary May weather is having a
bad effect upon the spring season. Ladies
will not and cannot indulge in pretty, light,
and gay costumes. Open.air fetes are
postponed, and fog, rair andisnow make
even indoor amuscments cherries. There
is scarcely any light to see the royal
academy exhibition and sometimes the
days of merry May are SO dark the gas
and electric lights are in requisition at noon
instead of the bright sunshine we are
longing for and hoping for at this time of