The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-12
K MANY-SIDED ENGLISHMAN,
Henry Labouchere, Next to MIR. Glad
stone the Most Popular of Britons.
Diplomatist, Essayist, Cynic and Willis
Newspaper. His Parliamentary Career and
His Shrewd Political Leadership.
sonaou Letter in Boston Record.


zondou Letter in Boston Record.
Henry Labouchere is one Of the phenomenal
facts of English current politics. believe it is
scarcely too much to say that, next to MIR. Glad
stone. Mr.. Labouchere is about the most popular
man in England. and it must be admitted that
his popularity is deserved, has been fairly won,
and rests upon SOLID foundation. Hehas much
more to do with the control of English politics
than you might imagine. for be and Mr.. Cowen,
who are both in the confidence of the Irish mem
bers, have been acting as go-betweens recently
10 behalf of the government; Mr. Oowen
with Mr. Parnell, Mr.. Labouchere with Mr.
Chamberlain. That Mr.. Labouchere should
carry on negotiations between two prominent
public men is, in more than one sense, quite
fitting; for ia his youth he was in the diplomatic
Service, and was for some time an attache OF
the British legation at Washington. There is
n story told OF him at this period of his career
which indicates his nonchalance and disposition
for joke. A visitor called one day at the lega-
tion to see the British minister He is not in"
raid Labouchere. Never mind; I'll take seat
and wait till he comes.s The visitor was handed
a chair, on which he sat for about an hour,
when he became rather FESTIVE and con-
suited his watch. sLook here" said he,
81 can't wait forever; how much longer
will he bep WELL" said the impudent at
kache, he left for Canada this afternoon. and
expect him back III about six weeks" During
his diplomatic career, Labouchere saw men and
cities. and doubtless had many opportunities Tor
observing the shadier side of human character.
No man of our time has had more varied knowl-
edge of the world, and it is no wonder he be-
came somewhat of acynic. But there is no DIT
terness in his cynicsTn; it is OF gay and light
order Under the outward garb of cynicism and
light raillery, there is, if mistake not, large
fund of genuine human feeling Mr. Labou-
cheres constant exposure of abuses and injustice,
especially in the administration of the law, Is
beyond all praise. Every faithless public officer,
every stupid or indicative magistrate, every
unfair Judge will be subjected to his merciess
criticism; and his pen is always ready to support
the cause of the injured and the weak. He is
especially severe on gluttonous aldermen and on
the forces of bumbledom; and never week goes
by without some fresh exposure of these people
In the columns Of Truth
Mr. I4abouchere's intellectual power and his
progressive views may possibly be traced to his
Huguenot DESCENT for he belongs TO French
Protestant family which came to England after
the revocation of the edict Of Nantes. His uncle
was Lord Taunton, prominent member or the
Liberal party some thirty or forty years ago,
aud a member of Liberal government So
that Mr. Labouchere, Democratic leader Is
member of an arstocratic family. Thus, while
eympathizing fully with the aspirations of the
people, he is sufficiently in touch with the aris-
tocracy to know exactly what resistance will be
made to any proposed reforms, and how that re
Bistance can best be overcome. Though Mr..
Labouchere was in Parliament for short time
many years ago, his real parliamentary career
may be said to date from 1880, in which year
he elected along with Mr.. Brailaugh to
represent Northampton Previous to that time
Mr.. Labouchere had been good deal of a
tnfxg foU hn1i 0nIn nd "a
friendship of the Prince of Wales aud other
lenders of fashion and society He had also
been amateur fnancier, in which capacity he
had often outwitted some of the oldest and
keenest hands the Stock Exchange. When
the World-ths earliest of the society jour
nas-was founded by Mr.. Edmund Yates and
Mr. Grcnville Murray, Mr. Labouchere was con-
nected with it, but afterwards founded Truth,
an organ which now enjoys an immense circula-
tion, brings its proprietor large annual income,
and is distinctly the most readable paper in Eng
land. A good part of this is written every week
by Mr.. Labouchere himself, and it is wonderful
how he manages to fnd time for 1t. as he is
always cool and collected. never hurried or
worried about anything. Truth is read mostly
by people who detest Mr.. Labouchere's political
opinions It's arrival is eagerly anticipated by
we'll TODD fashionable people in suburban villas
and in pleasant retreats by the seaside. or in the
towns affected by the wealthy and idle classes
have actually seen copy OF the unhallowed
paper inside cathedral in provincial town,
while its owner, weli-dressed lady, was listen
ing pacidly to the afternoon anthem. | think
its proprietor would have relished the incongru-
aty of the spectacle. was in first class car
Eiage on railway leading out of London III
which was lady eagerly perusing Truth ''You
should not read such paper" said her husband,
class. 'sWhy notl" Because its editor is dis
reputable man" "Well, it's very interesting
and suppose it doesn't matter who wrote it."
replied the lady, as she read on.
The stern and unbendiag Radicals thought
that man who was intimate with the Prince of
Wales aud who edited society" journal,
must be a mere fianeur, and when, in 1880 Mr..
Labouchere was elected for Northampton. he was
treated by many as SUCH II can't make people
believe that Laoouchere is serious, said ex
cellent Radical member to me. Il always
hud him active and sincere, but when / mention
bic eiewsto others they say, %, it's only Labby"
This was very general sentiment; it was
thought that 'LabbY' was joke, and Matthew
Arnold in an essay con.rasted his flippancy
with the earnestpess of his grim colleague"
There are still to be found people who take this
view, and of course do not mean to deny that
there is an element of truth in it. Mr.. La
bouchere has such keen scent for hum
bGg such o full acquaintance with all
The solemn impostures of English social and po-
litica life, such knowledge OF the foibles of his
fellow men, and he is so essentially blase that he
must not be expected to take the world too seri-
ously. Probably he does find it an amusing
game. And if l except Sir Wilfr;d Lawson,
whose honesty amounted to quixotism, and the
temporary loss of whose "gay wisdom" every
one in English politics depores, there is no man
who has acted better during the last few years
than Henry Labouchere Once did he make
slip when his pecuniary interests biasod his
Judgment. He at first approved of the Egyptian
policy of the Gladstone government even down
30 the bombardment of Alexandria. few
weeks after he changed HE mind, and was ever
after the most fhoroughgoing opponent of near
ly everything that was done in Egypt and the
Soudan. His change of front was syn
ehronous with the selling out of some
Egyptian stock which he had held. It was
curious coincidence, but let US be charitable,
and give him place with the son who refused,
TO work in the vineyard. 'but afterward repent
ed and went" In every other respect Mr.. La