The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-11-25
OUR LONDON CABLE LETTER.
THE DOG MUZZLE ORDER PROM
Uses TO CUT QUITE A FIGURE
IN ENGLISH POLITICS.
1 W|KDFALL FOR SWEET CHARITY
Mr.. John Thomas MOrtOn's Will Left
s2,25O,OOO to Charity-A Church
Play Is Described as
"Dreary Entertainment"

London, Nov. 20.-(Copyrighted, 1897,
by the Associated PresS.)-The dog
muzzle is admittedly playing very im-
portant part in the politics of Great Brit
ain, the discomfort of the dog owners at
the rigorous muzzling orders which have
now been two years in force having raised
the muzzle to the dignity of a grave
political question. There Is abundant
evidence that il Influenced the recent
elections and that it is generally dis
turbing the peace of the ministers.
The Marquis of Salisbury, during the
course of his speech at Albert hall on
Tuesday last, admitted this in his usual
cynical style and on Thursday night the
minister of agriculture, Mr.. Walter Long,
speaking at a large political meeting, de-
voted his entire speech to a defense of
his position. He quoted statistics show
ing the rapid decrease of rabies since the
introduction of the order. In 1896, he
said, there were Cos cases of rabies in
England, adding that in 1897 there were
only 141 cases. while of these only 81
have occurred since June.
The continued fine weather has added
to the enjoyment of the country house
parties which are now in full swing in
all parts of England.
The autumn has developed two fresh
specimens of the new woman" among
the aristocracy. Lady Clifford is per-
sonally hunting a pack of barriers regu-
larry, while the Duchess of Bedford has
established her reputation as first-class
shot and in Bedfordshire knocks over
high-rocheting phesants with the best
shots among men.
The store keepers of London are in
arms over the visit of the Prince of
Wales, their best patron, to a large de-
partment store this week. The heir ap-
parent carefully inspected the establish
ment and made numerous purchases.
The joy caused among the charitable
institutions last week by the probating OF
the will of the late Mr.. John Thomas
Morton, a big jam and provision dealer,
clusion of his heirs, had curious set
back in the case of the Moravan church
missions, whose bequest of f25O,OOO
(S1,250OOO) promises to be a white ele-
phant of the most formidable and costly
kind. The secretary of the missions
has published letter, appealing . the
friends of the organization to cease
their congratulations, explaining that
while the money beQueathed will not be
available for long time, when it is ac-
tually paid not penny is to be devoted
to the existing missions, but is 10 be spent
in establishing entirely new enterprises.
In other words, the unfortunate legatees
have been saddled with an obligation 10
apply the immense sum exclusively to the
establishment of missions under the will
where they will not have the means OF
support
An episode of peculiar interest was
the enactment by clergymen on Wednes-
day last, in Canterbury hall, of the first
church play in recent years. 1t was en-.
titled ."The Conversion of England"
Il. ht-t hn J.
Croswell. and was really succession OF
ten historical tableauX, with the dialogue
in stilted heroic strain, to the accompanl-
ment of sacred music. The scenes in
cluded Roman market" where Eng
lish slaves attracted Pope Gregory at
tention; the meeting between Pope
Gregory and the monk with King Ethel
bert on the Isle of Thanet, and King
Ethelbert's baptism at Canterbury. Inc
central figure of the production Is St;
Augustine. The costumes, scenery ana
chants were historically accurate. The
play, however. is described as "dreary
entertainment"
There are only four Of the London
theatres whose doors are not opened, al
though the season is hardly under way,
and two of the four will be filled early
next MONTH Yet for all this display OF
theatrical activity, hardly more than
half of the thirty play houses which
struggle frenziedly for the patronage and
the money of the Londoners are paying
their running expenses. Various theories
are advanced for the failure of London
theatres to pay, the most credited one
being that the increase of suburban play
houses is keeping suburbanites at nome.
The most noteworthy success among
the money-making minority is The
Geisha," which, after a two years run
at Days theatre, gives no signs of les
SEEMING popularity. Among the new ad-
ventures "The White Heather" most
sensational melodrama; Henry. Arthur
Jones comedy, "The Liars" which Chas.
Wyndham is giving at the Criterion;
Henry Esmond's comedy, "One SUM
mer's Day." and Cartons play, ihe