Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-08-18
LETTER FROM LONDON.
Gladstone and tile Homo Eule Struggle
Changes in tho English Metropolis.
LONDON, July %, 1892.


LONDON, July %, 1892.
TO the Editor Of the Free Press;
Many years ago wrote a series Of letters
from London to the FREE PRE- which
doubtless few Of your present readers re-
member. There was then no Atlantic cable,
and one had the salts acton of knowing
that his news would be read before it was
stale. You had from me accounts CT the
great events in the Crimean war, reports of
the great debates N Parliament in which
Palmerston, Russell, Disraeli Bul wer, Cob
den, Bright aud Gladstone, then in his
prime took part, and in listening to whom
| many times sat out parliamentary ses-
sion till o'clock in the morning. | re-
mem Der sending you an account of the par
innentary inquiry into tho charge of the
light brigade at Balnclava, having myself
listened to tho examination of the Earl OF
Cardigan who led the charge. | have no
such opportunities now to interest your
readers. These are piping times of peace.
Home rule, the now absorbing public ques-
tion, is not a picturesque object. The
English liberal themselves are getting tired
of it. AS party war c'y it he's not proved
Il success. The dcnoSogicsl clement in it is
becoming more and more apparent. Ameri-
cans. who took to the idea enthusiastically
because it seemed 10 be in the line Of thor
own Institutions, will have to revise their
Judgment j has many Gnaogics with
Southern secession. it is hardly political
questi0n--is mach more question of race
aud religion. Mr.. Gladstone cannot carry
it with his present meagre majority. and if
he appeals to the country on that issue
he will be beaten. AS a former admirer, |
am sorry to see his waning Influence, and
| am compel d 10 say, his failing power.
His Midlothian speeches were not up to his
old standard. Neither in logical force, nor
in commend of his audiences, was lie a
match for Mr.. Bafour.
London has not changed in 80 years as
much as ! expected 70 find it--but | have
changed. What seemed to the boy Just out
of college TO lie grand and magnificent
| city, now seems to be only a bigger and
uglier New York. huge, vast, enormous,
| but aside from its historic associations and
| its antiquities uninteresting, aud saved
| only by its impression of gigantic size and
| wealth from being as insignificant in the
whole Is it is in its parts. With rare ex-
| captions il modern architecture, especially
when ambitious and costly, is unlmpressive
and much OF 1t positively bad Tho houses
| OF Parliament, which when the stone was
fresh, were somewhat deliberately pretty,
never digailed, never imposing, are now
besrimcd with SCOT, deliberately ugly
wholly unfit 10 represent the majesty OF an
| imperial government. 4 distant view OF
! St l'aul's is almost the only picturesque
feature OF modern London architecture
and oven then one must forget how much
rraudcr is the dome of St. Paul'S, Of which
it Is an inferior copy.
But must not fail to do justice to one
| style OF building which is new to me and
goes far to compensate for lac! in other Iii
rocti,ns. ! refer to the model lodging,
houses which one secs in the poorest and
most densoly peopod pnrts of London, on
which have b-en expended by far the best
architectural skill OF the time in socur ing
the minimum of space, air and sunlight for
tho minimum OF cost. 1t is pleasant also
to remember that the pioneer in this phil
arthroric work was our own Mr.. George
Peabody, and to know that his example is
being followed not only by men OF Xix,
mcrcful spirit, but also by men who have
found way to combine good Investment O
property with helpful aid to poor tenants
Tho amount Of thought and effort devote,
to the emelioraton OF the con lition OF The
poorer classes OF London is very interesting
to q stranger. You see evidences of it OF
all hands / went last Sunday afternoon t.
the Peoples Palace in Whiteohapel, the out
come Of the Palace of Delight" describe,
in Walter Bosant's IAN Sorts and Condi
lions OF Men, This is an institution il
the very worst quarter of London designed
to reach and help,ths lowest classes by mean
of entertainments, music, technical ustruc
ton and religious influence, 1t is amply
endowed and is under tue patronage Of SOM
of the largest hearted men in Lonion. Tn
entertainment that | attended was n sacre
concert, with music of the highest order b.
first class performers, free to al corners
Tho hall waa full hut ''the people" wore no
there The audience was composed maini
of well-to-do folks On my expressing dis
appointment to one OF the attendants, h
said; "Cone and 500 the evening classes an
you will not be Disappointed. have ais
an appointment with the secretary c
Toynbcl hall, which is in tho same part c
London. But enough for This time.