New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-04
NOTES FROM LONDON.
MR.. RUsKlN AS ECONOMIsT-TIE FRENCH
PRESS-THE THIRTEEN CLUB-CREMA-
TION-DIAMONDs N AMERICA.

London January 20.
The reader Of TIE Chronicle" has long been
perplexed TO know from what source this oracle
OF labor drew its notions OF political economy.
They did more credit, in the hackneyed phrase
20 rs heart than TO ts head; If q newspaper may
be supposed to have a heart. They seemed 10
be based On sentiment and sympathy; often VI
Il passionate kind. They were. apparently III
dividual TO the writer or writer's who expressed
them. and they had distinctly feminine ho'e
The secret is now out. 1t is the oracle OF labor
itself. or herself which has disclosed It; saying
ir q leading article Of January II: I'VE are con-
tent 10 base our conception Of the ECONOMIC
question involved in the existence 81 living
ware on the writings OF John Ruskin, VINO III
Unto This Last has dealt with the question In
81 way which seems to have escaped the atteh-
ton OF many editors Of morning newspapers
The admission has a psychological Interest
Mr. RuslSin's writings political economy, Ike
those OF the paper which accepts him as teach
err spring from the heart rather than the mead
They are based sentiment and sympathy
They are passionate throughout They are per-
sonal They never had a scientific basis ana
they have had little or no influence on minus
which think that a question of science ought 10
be treated scientifically The feminine note per-
vades them. and the state of mind which pro-
only books protesting to deal with economical
subjects which can be likened Mr.. Ruskn's
are those OF Mr. Henry George His sympa thies
with poverty are deep. and are for the most part
EXPRESSED in a hysterical shrek. He lacks the
literary skill which keeps Mr. Ruskin under a
certain restraint and leaves him readable even
where Go Is absurd. Mr. Ruskns economical
trearises are still read by the faithful MI
Henry George seems TO have had his day. at
least in England But what commentary on
the industrial socialism of which The Chroni-
cle'' il the mouthpiece to find 1t springing from
those writings of Mr. Ruskin TO which no serious
student ever attached the least importance.
A London paper draws attention to the fact
that there are now but three correspondents In
London for the entire French press, and re-
marks forcibly enough: THE contrast between
these three solitary gentlemen and the host OF
English correspondents in Paris. with their Of
fees their STATS and their special wires. Is
painful and suggestive ONE No doubt 1t IS, but
before you can make the three SOLITARY CORE
spondents much less solitary" you must alter
the nature Of the French people The paper
which has just withdrawn its representative is
the Temps" certainly one Of those journals Of
Paris which come nearest TO publishing what in
London would be called news. That is to say.
boulevards 1t does allow its readers from time
to time to suspect the existence of world out
side Of Paris and even outside Of France.
The three French journals represented in Lon
den are all of Paris; the journal des Debats,'
the "Soleil" and the Figaro" The latter is
supplied chiefly with accounts of the theatre, the
opera celebrated trials, and the like. The
"Soieil" is Orleanst and exists for the benefit Of
the Orleans family. NJ Villars, who acts for
the "Debats." knows England and English;
speaking the English tongue with an accurate
Aueacy rare indeed among his countrymen. He
is q student Of affairs; good observer an able
writer, a most valuable correspondent. Yet
imagine that, outside Of the peculiar public OF
the "Debats" his letters produce more impress
sion on the minds Of English readers than Of
the average Freedman. The average French
man does not care for the thoughtful and broad
view of English affairs which NJ. Nillars offers
him. The Temps" however, though 1t has
recalled it's present correspondent. is going to re-
place him by another.
The Thirteen Club has held dinner and gone
through a number Of antics designed 70 shatter
an equal number Of e-honored superstitions.
These new reformers have SO far succeeded
in their object as to obtain a report Of
their proceedings IN the most serious pa
They attack not ALL but many sorts Of be-
liefs which may be called superstitions.
The main object Of the dinner. Of the diners.
was to do as many things possible which
might disturb old fashioned prejudices The din
ner took place on the 18th Of January. There
were thirteen guests at each table, including in
some instances the walters. who in the absence
Of expected guests were made TO sit down so as
TO complete the unlucky number Salt was SOL
EMMY spilled knives were crossed, glasses
broken. Enblems of dea tn abOunded The menu
consisted Of thirteen dishes. Toasts were given
in thirteen words and ladder specially
provided under which every person present was
obliged to walk.
These solemn fooleries were diversified by SOL
emn jokes by Mr. Harry Furniss to whose
sense Of the grotesque. and passion for it. the
performance is said to have been chiefly due 1t
seems the whole, rather more likely to foster
superstitions than TO dspel them. 1t attracts
attention them. 1t enlarges the familiarity Of
the public with these ancient faiths. 1t intro /
duces a good many people to old ideas which /
are new to them. 1t provokes reaction in
favor of the observances thus publicly ridculed /
1t shocks some sober-minded people, and so !
strengthens them in their adherence to notions !
they may not have cared much about before. /
And II is a well-known fact that the mere pub 4
lcity given any unusual incident practice |
stimulates imitation in little things and in great.
The fact that Sir Samuel Baker left directions |
for the cremation of his own body. and that these
directions We're actually carried out at Working, |
has shocked a large portion Of the British pub
lie. The prejudice against cremation. against |
anything but what is called orthodox burial in
a coffin underground. well-nigh uncon-
querable 1t was said that the cremation Of the
Duke Of Bedford would make cremation popular,
or. II not popular, less odious. A Duke. even
after death. is so great a parsonage In this coun-
try. that nice customs and religious prejudices
alike curtsey to him. Not SO in this case. Peo-
pie thought him eccentric and considered that
1t permissible to a Duke TO be eccentric and