Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1884-02-20
[From Our Regular Correspondent
Our European Letter.
LONDON, Eng, Jan. 80, 81


LONDON, Eng, Jan. 80, 81.
Tho hat in the house of commons is
likely in time to come to be dated back
from the week that has just past. Mr..
Jno. Brights hat has become famous in
the house Of commons. You may possibly
be aware that in that house it is customary
for members 10 remain covered except on
certain occasions. When they speak before
the speaker they must take their hats off
they retain them when the chairman of
committees is presiding. They take them
off whenever the speaker enters the house.
and remain uncovered until he is seated
They remove them when they leave the
house, and only reassume them when the
door is passed. They must uncover when
ever royal message bearing the sign
manual of the sovereign is brought up
but they may keep them on when any
other royal message is delivered. Alto
gether. 1t is most intricate question
when TO wear and when to doff The hat
One ought to be drilled in it for a week
or so before taking part in the business OF
the house. And even then he might blum
der, as Mr.. Bright did last Monday night
The house had only just begun business
when MIR. Gladstone was seen standing al
the table before the speaker with paper
in his hand. Directly be announced that he
had message from the queen about Prince
Leopold. all the members except Mr.
Bright and another Birmingham man
MIR. Jesse Collins, NJ. P. for Ipswich, anc
about three Irish members, took off thell
hats. Mr.. Bright appeared to he in thu
land of dreams. and paid no attention tt
he cries of Hats Off" which rose from
all parts Of the house. The message was
read, when up jumped conservative
member to demand what Mr.. Brigh
meant by keeping his hat on. The speaker
ruled that Bright was out of order. Bu
more was to come. When next day the
minutes of The house appeared it was seer
that the report ran, The message was
read. all being uncovered" This again
was brought before the house, and again
he speaker ruled that Bright ought te
have taken his hat off But, strange t,
relate, when presently another royal mes
sage was brought in. though it bore th.
sign manual, not only did Bright. but sew
eral other radicals, keep their hats on. Sc
that now it would appear that the hat
question was raised purposely. and that ir
future the radicals of parliament don I
intend TO pay ancient reverence to royalty
Many strange events have come of hats
Can it be that the retention of Mr.. Bright
broad b i'm is the signal of Il change in the
attitude of large section of English poll
licians toward the throne?
Mr. Hayward's death, which has been
expected daily for weeks past, ELECTS {
general tribute of respect and regret for {
man who occupied during the last thirty
years unique position in London society
as he last of the famous takers. He wa!
unrivalled in his way, and had marked
Influence in politics, which was quietly
exerted He was an intimate friend O.
Mr. Gladstone, who was present at tht
funeral. He was at the head of one depart
ment of literature.
Society here is deeply interested in a
festival in Alder Hall for hospital ir
which our most fashionable ladies will
figure in the peasant dresses Of various
countries, and duchesses will serve wine
and beer at extravagant prices to bibulou!
Washers.
The newest forms of ball room dress il
known as the ballet. In spite of the name
it is of normal length, but over the princ
pal skirt, which is perfectly straight, fall I
series of others. each eight or nine inches
shorter than its immediate neighbor. Mrs
Gladstone who is very homely and usu
ally II very badly dressed woman. ha
taken to wearing the richest clothes au'
The finest diamonds.
The case of the baccar at clubs ha
revealed unsus pected depths of sristocral
gambling 10 London. Charles Russell
who defended the culprits, declared tina
IN many clubs judges, bishops, ana states
men play nightly for high stakes. an
Russell ought to know, for no is notorious
ly the boldest gambler, as well as tn
greatest advocate, in the English courts
AUGUST.