The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1891-12-26
1t Will Hold AIoof from the McCar-
thyites Rigidly.
ITS FIRST GREAT OPPORTUNITY.
The Question Of n Wedding Grant to the
Duke of Clarence and the Princess
Mary-The Famous Hospice st. Ber-
nard i'm Financial Difficulties.

as mucn as possible during the present
session. 1t furthermore intends to seize
every opportunity to emphasize its atti-
tude OF mo compromise on Home Rule"
under any circumstances. The first great
opportunity which il will be afforded will
naturally be when the Gladstonians move
the amendment to the address on the
Queens speech in which they will regret
that no promise is gwen in that document
of the introduction of any measure which
Is at all likely TO satisfy the national aspi-
rations Of the people of Ireland. The Par
nelltes will refuse TO support the amend
ment unless IL shall be so drafted as to in
dicate beyond the possibility of cavil that
Mr.. Gladstone and his party will pledge
themselves to such a measure of Home
Rule as the Independents have declared TO
be necessary. 1t is altogether likely,
therefore, in view of the compromising at
titude of the faction that there will be a
lively session.
The opposition will not be as placable as
it was at first Thought it would be on the
subject OF the wedding grant to His Royal
Highness the Duke of Clarence, and the
Princess Mary. The2 leading members of
the party promise TO create no end OF
pother If the question is raised III they
refuse TO alter their opinion on this point,
there can be no grant in accordance with
the arrangement which was arrived at in
1889, and the government would hardly
attempt TO force the grant upon the oppo-
sition, especially as the latter while break
ing the spirit would be undoubtedly keep
ing the strict letter of the arrangement
which was then made. The tempest, how
ever, which seems imminent will probably
blow over, or be only a tempest in q tea
cup, for the opposition Is not likely 10 OBJ
ject 10 giving her "A dowry in lump sum,
and the bride also could not object to this.
The government has not arrived at any
decision on the subject yet, although it
was mentioned at the last cabinet meet
ing but IL will not be formally considered
until the first cabinet meeting after the
Christmas Holidays.
A good illustration of the present craze
for the buying OF old books, which is one
of the features of the metropolis is shown
by the following story: A leading book
seller advertised this week in his cata-
logue the copy of a rare old book. the
price OF which was given at ten shillings.
The book in question was really worth
very much more, and in fact, its ordinary
price is $40. Two days after the publi-
cation of the catalogue, a customer who
was well known TO the bookseller called
and asked to be shown the copy in ques-
ton. The salesman smiled his blandest
ana murmured politely, You are too
late; am very sorry" Then he waxed
more confidential and informed the would
be purchaser that on the day after the
publication of the catalogue in which the
bargain was offered, the firm had received
over 500 letters, and each writer asked
that the book be put aside for him as he
wished to buy il. The lucky man whose
letter was first opened secured the prize.
The famous Hospice ST. Bernard is sadly
in need of funds at present, as the eX-
penses are increasing every year and the
revenue is diminishing as persistently.
The falling off in the receipts has been
noticed ever since the starting of the rail
frh hn fpax vol tnr. xxrh.
formerly went over the pass, and as the
increase OF the expenses is due to the fact
that the provisions used in the Hospice
have TO be brought from Apsta. and they
are getting dearer. All the fuel, too,
which is used has to be brought up by
twenty horse teams, which have to make
a four hours journey for the purpose. In
consequence of this an appeal has been
made TO the Italian government for regu-
lar subscription, and if this is not given
the Hospice will have TO be closed.
Mr. j. 5. Simonds, the new Chief of the
London Fire Brigade, is a man of fine
physique, and in the prime of life, so that
physically he is eminently qualified to
stand the fatigue incident to his position.
He is disciplnarian. but in spite of this
he is very popular with the men. He has
been second in command ever since 1881,
and was the acting chief at the time the
County Councill Committee recommended
Captain Pitcairn Campbell for the posi-
tion as he had very considerable amount
of influence. The storm of indignation
which arose from the taxpayers when they
heard that Mr.. Simonds was TO be thus
passed over was such that the council was
compelled TO choose him. He is an excel
lent fireman, and in the pursuit of his
duty he has had many hair-breaths
escapes.
A steam yacht with history was sold at
auction this week. This is the Witana
which under the name of the Immacolata
ConcozZione was the property of Pope
Plus TX. She was built TO the order of
the ex- Empress Eugene in the days of the
Empire. and was a present from her to
His Holiness. During Pho Nono's life
time she lay at Civita Vecchia where he
often visited her
During the last few years, the habit of
carrying pistols has enormously increased,
a habit which many people attribute 90
the fact that so many American travellers
in Europe make "A point of going about
armed. This pernicious practice was re-
ferred to by the presiding judge at the
Glamorganshire Assizes during the week.
The fact which led up TO it was the hear
ing of a shooting case in which IL was
shown that one of the parties always car
ried a loaded weapon with him. In sum
ming up the case, the judge said, 81 have
begun TO hate the very name OF revolver.
The people in the district seem to me TO go
ing sticks or umbrellas" Then His Honor
looked round the court and'seemed 20 be
impressed with the somewhat grimy APP
pearance of the spectators, for he immed-
lately added, There must be more revol-
vers than cakes Of soap used in the dis
trict"
This Is boxing uay and everybody has
been waited upon 10y the employees of the
various public bodies for the usual Christ
mas present. IL is astonishing how many
people are seemingly employed 10 look
after ones comfort during the year. The
discovery comes with striking force to-
day. Tonight the theatres open with the
new pantomines, and, OF course, Drury
Lane theatre takes the lead with
"Humpty-Dumpty," written for the first
time i'm many years by two new authors,
namely by Sir Augustus Harris, the lessee
himself. and Harry Nichols, who has
been for n long time one of the principal
puryeyors of mirth on the stage of this
theatre IL will be produced on scale
of magnificence. i'm which Sir Augustus
will endeavor 90 to surpass the previous
triumphs Of Drury Lane" To the iniated
this means good deal, for the annual
partomime has been for years n marvel Of
consumate taste, as well as wonderful
l....ll inf nd annninf-