New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-02

idtu lnelr candidate at the last election was
native Indian. Mr.. Dadabai Naoroji. whom
llolborn street wits forthwith chFistcncd Dirty
Boy in Nursery" They could not have had a
worse one. This time they could not have had
better. Lord Compton, though defeated, is one
Of the heroes of the week. distinction which he
shares with Mr. jeremiah Sullivan. of the Royal
Irish ConstabuIary; Mr.. Thomas Moroney, the
recalctrant debtor in an Irish Jail; Mr.. Monroe,
the new Chief of Police and Mr. Oerst Davis
who, as one Radical journal puts it, has trans
ferred his public address from the House of Com
mons to WandswOrth Jail
Miss Wiedman and the Honorable Horace Wal
pole should be added to this list. The action Of
this German governess against the heir to the
Earldom of Oxford for breach Of promise ends in
his favor. but not to his credit.
Birmingham is to become a city. Perhaps you
supposed it one already, being place of
440, 600 inhabitants 1t has been borough for
fifty years, and now is ambitious Of title which,
says the town clerk in a letter TO the Home
Secretary is popularity supposed to carry
with it an accession of dignity. What is the diff
ference between town and city is hard to de-
fine with precision. Liverpool and Manchester
were made cities when they had Bishops created
for them, but Belfast has lately been made city,
though it certainly has no Bishop. Leeds is not
a city, nor is Sheffield. Only the Queen can trans
form town into city, and she only does 1, or
petition by the town. So Birmingham, through
its Town Council is going to implore Her Majesty
to bestow this favor. As the Home Secretary is
one of the members for Birmingham, and as
Birming CHAM is the third place in England, it is
supposed the petition will be readily granted.
The book of the week is Earl StanEopes Notes
Of Conversations with the Duke of Wellington
tI,o
most interesting kind; interesting above all, as
giving the Dukes opinions in his own words on
people and events in his own time.
The American Minister was of the guests
of the Royal Society last evening at its annual
dinner. Responding to a toast he regretted that
this was the last time he could appear as
guest, but hoped to play hereafter the part OF
host IT, he said, the Royal Society would only
20 to America, warm welcome awaited them,
whether they came collectively or individually.
Professor Huxley was unable to be present to
receive his Coplcy medal He is obliged again
to leave London account of his health, and Is
spending the winter at EastbOurne.
Mr. Gilberts new play, Brantinghame Hail.
in four acts, produced at the ST. James Iheatre
met with dubious reception. The critics are
divided as the house was, but on the whole the
majority reluctantly condemn the play. Yet 1t
has many merits rare in modern English play
writing. It's literary qualities are remarkable
The plot, if not new, shows vivid invention
in details The studies of character are
subtle The Puritan maiden in the Australian
bush, a Puritan in dress, manner and dialect, is
certainly novelty. There is sense OF delicate
quaint humor. 1t is Mr. Chlberts failure to enlist
the sympathies of the house which robs his play
of its Just measure of esteem. Surprises for which
no preparation is made further estrange the audi
ence Finally the whole denouement turns on
creditors refusa! to accept payment which he
could not legally refuse.
The heroine Of the piece was composed Tor MISS
Julia Nelson. This brilliant and beautiful glrl
confirms her friends hopes in her future, though
whether Mr. Gilbert has rightly taken her measure
in Ruth Rcdmayne" is an open question she has
at present been taught either too much or 100
little She acts with air of recalling her IN
structions at each gesture and movement. But
rapidity and spontaneity will come WIN 'lnic'
G. W 5.