New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-24

rise in value with the return OF RepupHCdn coii-
ditions
Rumors that the Madrid Government had de-
cided 10 raise a loan If $500 100000 for CUBAN
war expenses and to increase the garrison Oh .he
island 10 10000 men are received IN Lohuoh
with incredulity. 1t is not thought proDaple that
Spain can borrow the money either In London or
in Paris without pledgng the customs revenues
for the interest and allowing financial synoi-
cate to collect them Concerning the military
operations The Spectator remarks that no such
failure Of an army II do its work has been re-
ported in modern times and that even incompe-
tence in generals will not explain the Situauoh.
Is it possible, it asks. that the muster rolls OF
the Spanish regiments are all falsfed' or that
men die in some hitherto unknown proportion?
The truth probably is that the strength OF the
garrison has been exaggerated for the purpose
OF intimidatng the insurgents. Moreover, the
volur tcer force. on which Spain placed absolute
dependence during the last rebellion has COM
pletely broken down and compelled the Madrid
Government to bring out its heaviest battalions
Parliament has adjourned for the whitsuntde
recess After an a-night debate in the Com
mons and an old-fashioned test of physical en-
durance, the Government finally succeeded IN
passing the Agricultural Rates BILL although five
the majority had to lose their baths. If not their
breakfasts in order TO accomplish the result.
Politics are at a low ebb in Parliament. The pas
sage Of the Education Light Railways and Cattle
Diseases bills is only question of time, but the
Irish Land bill may be hung up for another year.
The Radical revolt headed by Mr.. Labouchere ir
not regarded as a serious movement by the mass
Of Liberals The Noncomfornist outbreak against
the Irish members for voting for the Education Dill
is more alarming menace to the peace OF the al
ready distracted Opposition. 1t is headed by the
Rev. Hugh Price Hughes Wesleyan preacher OF
great influence, but unstable Judgment and IL
supported by two powerful religious journals.
which sound the drge over the burial Of the Home
Rule cause. These lamentations are premature;
no permanent breach has Yet been made In tho
Home Rule alliance at least. in the House of Com
MONS nor will there be one while Mr.. Gladstone
lives
The Whitsuntide holiday brings a temporary
lull in the social fesvty of London. and the usual
exodus of excursion throngs cheap tickets in ali
directions TIE holiday traffic is not 50 great al al
Easter, owing to the unpleasant weather. An east
wind has been blowing for several days. and the
mercury has shown decided fall. The greatly
needed rain has come after an unusually long
drouth for this season of the year. Seven operas
four of which were repeated from the previous
week while three We're performed for the first
time this season. When the programme is changed
50 often rehearsals are inadequate, and neither
chorus nor orchestra can do Its beet work.
Faust" and Romeo ct Juliette." with the aid Of
Nine Eames and Jean de Res3ke. We're the best
performances Of the week. Nine. Manteni is
rapidly becoming a favorite The opera is we'll
patronzed by the public. Covent Garden being
filed night after night. The best concert OF the
week was that conducted by Herr Richter at
which excerpts from Godmarks Cricket on the
Hearth were heard for the first time in London
One was brilliant dance measure and the other
prelude with a striking imitation Of chrrup-
ing cricket. At the Philharmonic concert Mr.. Ed
ward Germans suite in minor, produced last
year the Leeds festival, heard for the first
time in London with fine effect.
Several theatres are closing. owing to dmin.
ished audiences caused by the bad weather and
poor plays Bushes in gene al has falen off with
notable exceptions like The Geisha" which is
drawing a great crowd nightly at Days. Mr..
George Edwardee informs me that he has con-
veyed to Mr.. Augustin Daily the sole and exclusive
American rights Of this japanese musical comedy.
and that any statements made by other persons TO
the effect that they have the right of representing
this piece in the United States OF Canada are un-
authorized and untrue. The main change in the
theatres is the substitution OF King Henry w.
for "Trilby" three nights in the week This is not
due to a decline Of public interest in "Trlby' so
much as to Mr. Trees wtarineas from playing 80
exhausting part Svengali.
John Hare is back from America, full Of appre-
citation for the kindness Of his reception there
and bert upon returning early in the autumn to
renew his acquaintance with paygoers. He has
learned that American audiences do not care for
problem plays, and that the public there is not
interested in the controversies over the drama.
He will not reappear on the London stage during
the interval between his American tours. Will
lard is making arrangements 70 be in America
at about the SANE time.
The English book market has rot been so dull
FOR many years it ID at present end the pub
ncation Of hardly any notable hooks Of the first
rank is expected this year. Publishers are
complaining of the medocrlty Of the work Of
fered to them. and consider this dull year in
trade ard boolmaking Continental pub
fishers have few important works in hand.
Hachette & Co.. Of Paris, Will publish large
illustrated quarto containing the diaries Of
Meissonier, which will be Of great interest 10
artists and amateurs from giving detailed ac-
counts OF his methods of work 1t Will he a
companion volume 10 Rembrandt issued by
scrbner at Leipsic. Meyer is bringing out
new and important history OF English literature
in fourteen parts The text is furnished by
German professor. and VIII be translated into
English by graduate of Columbia College.
Thousands OF visitors have inspected Lord
Leighton's house, nominay with view 10 buying
It, but when ii was put up at auction there was
no purchaser the auctoneer doing all the bid
ding. A committee is still trying 10 raise SlIo,OO0
for the purchase of the house and the art collec-
ton, including the pictures. rugs, china and
bronzes but the chances of success are not hope
full Such undertakings require time and pa
LII. In the