Los Angeles herald., 1892-02-06
In The MERRY ISLE.
A Long Session Of the Brit
ish Cabinet.
The Speech From the Throne
Was Hard to Shape.
No Allusion In 1t to the Dissolution
of Parliament.
Gladstone VIII Force the Issue-The
Queens Rheumatics-Matrim
nial Alliances-Mrs. Osborne
Frustrated.
Associated Press Dispatches.

LONDON, Feb. 5.-The cabinet sat for
nearly three hours yesterday, shaping
the speech from the throne, with which
parliament will be opened Tuesday.
The unusual length of time spent is at
tributed to the difference of opinion as
to whether any reference should be made
to the coming session as bringing the
present parliament toward the close of
its career. 1t was finally determined
that nothing should be said on that
subject.
The speech opens with reference to
the sympathy OF the nation for the royal
family over its recent bereavement al
ludes to the death of the khedive as not
severing British relations with Egypt;
refers to the continued prosperity of the
country, and says there is no reason
why England should be ultimately
affected by foreign tariff legislation, and
congratulates the country upon the
prospect OF an early settlement of the
Bering sea dispute and the pacific as
pect of foreign affairs generally
mentions the Irish local govern
ment and educational bills as adding
completeness to the series of measures
for securing order in, and the welfare of
Ireland. Other measures announced
are small holdings bill, district coun-
ellis bill, and bills to reform the India
council and Scottish private legislation.
This last measure has an Importance
beyond its application to Scotland. as
affirming and extending the principle of
local government.
The archbishop OF Canterbury has a
clergy discipline bill which the govern
ment will support. This constitutes
the business OF the session.
The leaders OF the opposition do not
intend to make any amendment to the
address. Gladstone will not appear in
the house the first week of the session.
He has delegated to 'Harcourt the task
of questioning the government as to it's
intentions in regard to the dissolution
of parliament. II the reply is inde6n-
ite, Gladstone will make the question
the subject of great party fight.
The prospect of the extinction OF the
Dissidents in the coming elections is in
creasing. Yesterdays report, which
was accepted as probable, gave to Sex
ton the right of succession to the chair
manship of the Irish party. There is
not, however, anything like unanimity
as to who should follow Mccarthy.
The queen is suffering from more
acute form of rheumatism than usual,
especially in the knees. The court re-
port says she is subject to long spells of
depression, varied by attacks of irrita-
bility. Her physicians deny that there
is any cause for alarm.
Ex-Empress Frederick will come to
Windsor Castle in the Spring with
Princess Margaret, when it is expected
the latter's marriage with Prince
George will be settled, although public
announcement OF the betrothal is post
poned. Emperor William looks with
favor on the match. Princess Margaret
has the reputation at court of being the
most English of the ex-empress' s
daughters.
Viscount Chelsea, son OF Earl Cad
ogan, who for some time had been a
suitor for the hand of Princess Maud of
Wales, has become engaged to Mildred,
daughter of Lord Arlington. The mar
rjage will unite the families of two OF
the greatest ground landlords in London,
whose wealth is enormous. The prince
of Wales favored the viscount's suit,
but Maud did not.
The deacons OF the tabernacle who
have in their power the choice OF a sue
cessor to the late Mr.. Spurgeon, are in
clined to select Charles Spurgeon. The
choice lies between him and Archibald
Brown of Shoreditch.