The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-28
THE SEASON IN LONDON.
1t Knows No Change, but Goes Straight
Along Regardless of Date or Weather.
Recalling Heller and His Sister-GOrdon the
Prevailing Hero-The Nude as Dis
played in Art and Nature.
Of the Indian Al polls Journal

sound about this time of year the angelic hosts
would find London busy in the tents Of Vanity
Fair. There is, however, at the moment an at
tempt to vary the entertainments of the time by
little more outdoor exercise than usual; so we
have rush of international exhibitions and al
fresco fetes. But success in this direction can
only be insured by making the shows equal to
either fortune as in the case of 1.-THE Inventor
ies' at South Kensington. Here you can be
made happy under cover or in the open air. The
other night, when Sir Frederic and Lady Bran
we'll received the members Of the Institute of
Civil Engineers there and had the entire place to
themselves, it was perfect fairyland. A blue sky
studded with stars was the 'fretted roof that
covered the gardens, the fountains, the bands
and the gay throng, the terrestrial part of the
show being illuminated by thousands Of electric
lamps This kind of thing is repeated on
small scale in the houses and grounds of many
West End palace. In the day time we have had
the usual royal reception at Buckingham Palace
and Marlborough House, 'high born danes in
gay attire lordly cavaliers in brilliant uniforms,
horses rrancing. splendid eauipages, flashing
their armorial bearings, and confusion of gor-
geous display. If the weather is fine the display
is popular treat. The people go out and look at
it. Lazarus need not say at home. He can
come into the streets and see the sights, and be
sure of some crumbs
The Sabbath in London is given over to those
who 60 to church and those who do not. There
is no middle class who temporize. A vast bulk
of the working population spend Sunday in the
London suburbs and the country beyond The
;e&;a axyo
their friends on Sunday afternoon and evening.
This still leaves a large margin of church and
chapel goers Bells are ringing, tolling, or
Ginning all day long. The fashionable churches
are crowded People fill St Paul's and West
minister Abbey. Others go to hear such popular
preachers az Stopford Brooke and Mr.. Spurgeon;
| fancy Beecher would have following here.
His evolution sermons would prove attractive
Mr.. Talmage came and made money. His terms
one of the most famous of London
actresses Mrs. Kendall, gave an afternoon
seance The Thought reader" on the occasion
was Mr.. Capper, and he made some remarkable
discoveries of thoughts and concealed treasures.
Mr.. Bishop has not yet returned to London. He
would be much in request. l fancy. if he were
here now.
But" said Mr. Robert Wyndham, the famous
Scotch theatrical manager Heller, the Amer
lean, poor fellow beat all these men right
away-Heller and his sister did the most
wonderful things. l remember once taking
to a dinner where | was to meet them) an
old Roman coin they could never have seen or
dreamed of. After dinner, placed it in Helers
hand this sister was quite away in another part
of the room and said, Do you think your
sister could tell us anything about thatF He
called to her. What have | in my handP he
asked. How should l know was the reply.
'Guess-try and tell me, he said. "A Roman
coin. was her reply. to my utter amazement.
What colorF "A brownish green she said.
What is there engraved upon it, Some curl
is datep Yes, she answered, and gave the
date. None of these present fellows have done
anything better than that l know Miss Heller
was confederate, but such a test as l gave
them shows that they had reduced their work
to the lines of a scientific principle of the most
wonderful character Mrs. Kendall gave her
reception on Sunday afternoon. This converse
ton took place on the same day, but little
later, at the house of Miss BraddOn MRS. Max
well), the NOVELIST Lichfield House, which, de-
scribed not long since in these columns, has a
pleasant Queen Anne garden at the back and last
Sunday it was picture Of English life The
turf was rolled down to the fneness of plush
the borders were full Of peones, roses, marguer
lite daisies. and other old English flowers, and
stroing about upon the grass was a company Of
ladies and gentlemen that included Mr. Maccoll,
of the AnthenBum; Mr.. and Mrs. Labouchere,
Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Wyndham. of the Cri-
terion Theater; Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Wyndham
llate of Edinburg, now In arlstOcratic retire
ment), Mr. and Mrs. Hardman. of the Morning
POST Lady White Sir Frederic Perkins and
Lady Perkins madame is an American Mr.
Percy Fitzgerald the author; Nine. Pfeiffer,
the famous traveller and many other interesting
people, Nine. Pfeiffer, who has written
many remarkable books, reminds of Lola
Montez when last saw her, nearly twenty
years ago She is handsome as young oak in
the fall or ash with the first frost of winter
since last year He looks more serious than
usual to day wonder If he is nervous about
the fate of the government which is doomed to a
serious defeat You have heard all about it by
cable ere this. / was in the House of Commons
and will tell you something of the scene before
conclude this letter Mrs. Labouchere tells me
she is anxious to take "Labby" las every body
calls him who cares for him) to America this
fall or next. ''And he has half consented to CO."
she says. 81 know he would enjoy the trip; he
is fond of Americans and is curious to see how
the country has improved and advanced since he
was attached to the British embassy at Wash
ington.' Then l inquired about the baby
they have little one, you knew, their
first, about sixteen months DID, and She
says 'Of course, we would have to take the
baby with u.s." | wonder if my readers will be
interested in this domestic gossip. ''Talking
about America says Miss Braddons husband
Mr. John MAXWELL joining us, ''well America
is popular theme nowadays, and we all want
to 60 there. My wife and / are only waiting
until our friend (meaning me) is willing to 60
with u.s. ard make up pleasant and famous
party" Then he slaps me on the back as he
slaps most people, and we adjourn into quiet
corner. that he may tell us he is in earnest and
urge me to take a holiday run to the Rocky
mountains and back. l tell him how popular
Miss Braddon is on your side of the Atlantic;
and by this time the dinner bell rings, and by
relays Of twenty at q time Mr., and Mrs. Max
we'll dine their guests, then the drawing room is
lighted up, there is singing and reciting and by
IL o'clock the guests are bowling home in their
carriages or catching the last trains to London.
MORE ABOUT GORDON.
Among books, "reminiscences and diaries,
are the order of the day. The first part of Rus
kin's Life" is out but only in pamphlet form,
and we are looking anxiously now for Gordon's
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