The Sunday herald., 1886-08-22
FOREIGN NOTES.

TIE Emperor and Empress Of Russia recently at.
tended the launching Of the new torpedo boat at the
Baltic Works and the laying Of the keeIs OF two new
lronclads The first part OF the programme was the
laying OF the keesof the new ronclad called the En-
pefor Methodist l. The dimensions Of this vessel win
be Length, ,926 feet BEAM 6 feet depth OF draughf,
% feet; displacement, s,tti tons, with t4-inch
armor, and engines OF $500 Indicated power aud
twin screws. Her armament is moi yet definitely
decided on. As soon as very heavy shower .oi
rain permitted the imperial party crossed the rlfeT
In steam barge and took part in laying the keel OF
Remembrance Of kzof This vessel viii DO slI
feet inches In length, the longest, believe In the
placement, md engines Of 5000 Indicated power
Their Imperial Majesties were then escorted BY the
manager OF the Battle Works 10 the decorated pay.
Lieutenant, which was effected IN splendid, fashion
amid great enthusiasm. The chief paIticuIafs VIII
beam 2, feet; mean drnuRht, . feet; displacement,
6ooo tons; armament, torpedo dlschargers and u
guns AID twin screws s w and engines on ing
Mcssrs. Lcalic \ Co. Mr.. Marshall, representing
tho latter English 1rm, was presented to the
Emperor during his Mnjes,ys inspection OF the
vessel.
There has never been known a London season,
| according to the FoU Man Gazette, with 80 few
dances. At homes, with or without music, recep-
| tions with drawlng.room entertainments, have been
plentiful enough, but the old.fashioned ball seems
| to have become thing OF the past A bad and sel.
fish habit has lately grown up In London society Of
| not introducing. 1t Is very simple way out OF
what Ia sometimes troublesome social einbarasB-
meni; where Introducing Is the rule the hosts have
fatiguing night unless the party Ia very small, and
the giies,s all Know each other II 10 much easier to
| Ito nothing at all and let the guests, us MIS-
ns says Gpo m ss a ~, yS1ps
group themselves. They prefer being coupled to
being grouped, and so another fashion ctcpt 10 TO
assist the selfish or negligent or gauche party
avers. Thls was for girls 70 bring tiicir own part
ners with them. II succeeded for time, hut not
cr own saes hcy hsa ns
feeling that their rooms were not assembly rooms
and that they ought TO know the names or at least
houses. The crush accordingly superseded the ball
Society has become stupid, anil unless hostesscs 5
will break through bad habit and attend to ihei
duties we shall roon see dancing. except at publi,
rooms, cease to keep its place among English hospi
tuiiiles.
Some Of the English Journals look upon the sc
lection Of Churchill for leader Of the House OF Com
nous as doubtful experiment. The London Wort,
says: "In making Lord II. Churchill leader Of IN
House Lord Salisbury has made The greatest pollti
cal experiment sice George III called young VII
liam Pit to his all. Win the exception Of tina
great statesman. Lord Randolph is the younges
leader that the House OF Commons has seen 10
nearly two centuries. No one doubts that the cx
pertinent Ia hazardous one. II 1t succeeds, i,Or,
X. Churchil viii become the greatest EDglish states
man In the closing years Of the ninteenih century
II 1t fats, 1t will lead to the fail Of the Government
AMI the dlsorginization Of the Tory Parry. Tn
best men In tho Conservative ranks view The pro
motion Of Lord x. Churchill with doubt, and wish
at least, that 1t had been deferred I'LL the back Of III
had retired from political life. They fear that
serious bundcr OF mistake on the part OF their ne1
leader will bring back Mr.. Gladstone and the llber
ais to power much sooner than they had the slight
est reason week ago 10 anticipate"
The English press uses very plain language abou
some Of the Peers Of Queen victorias bran'
Speaking Of the peerage aud the beerage the Londo
Truth says: "Withln tho last few years sewers
'bungs' have been made Peers. There il no pal
ticular objection to this, for brewng IL Just as lkeI
to produce aii Individual who Is SO thu oughly tn
prGgnated with legislative wisdom that he will proI
ugate legislators, rs shooting pheasauts or any q
! the other occupations to which those who becOm
Peers generally devote themselves, and beerage
as glorious an institution as u Peefage. The onl
difficulty seems to me TO be this: The title become
q sort OF government guarantees that the beer OF II
possessOr Is good, aud, therefore, any one who's
, beer Is up to par ought to have right 10 claim
Peerage for otherwise competition Will not be cal
ried On between the 'bungs under fair conditions.
! In the Toronto Week, Gollwin Smith speaks
! the recent English elections as only prellminar
skirmish. Hesaysi "The next upshOt 10 that ,houQ
!. Unionism has gained victory, and a victory Il
which Unlonists have much reason TO Le thank q
1t Is Quatre Bras, not u Waterloo, aaving the d,
cisive battle still to he fought, while II IN also al
v parent that the nation Will have to undergo y
, more calamity and peril before II will he brought
. see the necessity OF putting an end 10 the dominati,
II of party, and Of giving itself national Cover
l. mCnt."