Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1889-02-20
GLADSTONE'S TRIP.
His Visit TO Rome Makes the Tory
Organs Sheer.
THAT BIG DEFENSE LOAN.
The 2Ioo. 600. 900 story Is What Would
BE Called in America "a "Fake'-Gco.
frederick Watts Seriously Ill.
General Foreign News.

LcxDoN, Feb 90 Neither The press nor tina
peop.e of Rome, the English residents there
excepted, concerned themselves greatly about
Mr. Glad,tones expected visit 10 that city.
The reformer has had occasional paragraphs
on the subject, and his admirers prepared sun
dry presents, including fine set of views Of
the objects aud sites famous in history, but
celebrities are plentiful in Rome during the
season and il is not certain that he would
have attracted much more attention than the
American ball players
As an offset to this indifference abroad, the
ex-prcmier's movements have been eagerly
watched at home and at the clubs consider
able sums of money were wagered as to
whether or not he would visit the ancient
city. OF course papers like The Times and
The Chronicle indulged in language intended
to be sarcastic when it was announced that
he would arrive in England without visiting
the Italian capital, but his failure 20 do 30
was evidently disappointing to the journals
in question, rs it robbed them of fertile
Sbject for ponderous leaders
1t must be confessed that many Of Mr..
Gladstone's friends are privately of the opin-
ion that he has taken counsel OF his prudence
at tue expense of his reputation for courage,
but the delicacy of his position is very appar
ent and he has grieved his enemies more than
his followers
II is not likely that the pope would have
been influenced by any intimation that the
5lish cabinet would view the reception of
Mr.. Gladstone by him unfavorably. Lord
Salisbury, ON the contrary, would have been
pleased at any implied friendly relations be-
tween the two. knowing the effect they would
have in alarming the rural gentry and their
following, who are ever on the alert to detect
papal intrigues and who shudder at the very
mention of Rome
The Chronicles sneers at Mr.. Gladstone's
prudence are on "a par with its assertions that
he has sadly disappointed the Irish priests and
their sympathizers by declining to set himself
up as a target for the attacks of the Tory
press. His friends have always appreciated
the difficulties of his position.
He could hardly have visited Rome with
out paying his respects to the king, an atten-
ton which would have dispeased all Cath
olcs and doubtless alienated from his cause
several high in rank who would feel more at
home among their former Conservative asso-
ciates, and any communication with Signor
Crispi would probably have been more hurt
ful than pointed avoidance of the Italian
premier, AWKWARD as Ufle ldLIer course would
have been.
A gentleman whose sources of information
are thoroughly reliable says:
"The sensational stories circulated yestcr-
day about British defense loan of R100, ,000,-
600 were absurd. / have reason to believe.
the total extra expenditure will be e2,O00,-
600 annually for five years, with perhaps
larger initial expenditure for guns
Dean Bradley, of Westminster Abbey,
writes to The Times strongly supporting the
proposed extension of the abbey by new
monumental chapel adjoining the 'sPoets
Corner" and connecting with the abbey by
new vestibule. The dean says the historical
value of the abbey monuments has never been
more priced than now by all sections Of the
English speaking race.
George Frederick Watts, the Royal Acade-
mician has been reported seriously ILL His
wife says he has had a severe bronchial at
tack, but is now completely recovered.
The Improvement in Mr.. Ruskin's health
continues, but he is still unable to read or
write letters or attempt literary work. The
new edition of "Modern Painters" is a great
success. Notwithstanding the high price 400
large paper copies were sold before publica-
ton. Eleven hundred copies of the ordinary
edition forthcoming in March have already
been I'D