Evening star., 1898-03-26
Venerable Statesman Gradually Sink
ing Under Weight Of Years.
FULLY REALIZES His CONDITION
III
Prince of Wales is. Learning te
Ride the Bicycle.
"JOHNNIES" HAVE NEW FAD
Copyright, 1895. by Associated Press,

LONDON, March 26.-Next to the proba-
bilities of wars, the public is most keenIy
interested in the condition of Mr.. Glad
stone. though not permitted to know how
Ill he Is. Perhaps 1t should be said he
Is not SO much i'll as that his powers are
failing and that he is apparently sinking
under the weight Of years and vital ex-
haustion. The best informed people admit
that amendment Of his ailment is impossf-
BILE, and tnat his physicians only hope to
alleviate the pain he is suffering. The
Lancet says, on the subject of the surgical
advice called in:
This can scarcely be Interpreted other
wise tnan that there Is serious cause for
the symptoms from which he has suffered
1or nine months. At his great age the
gravity of any surgical ailment is apparent
and the exhaustion. in consequence, is
prolonged. The severe NEURALGIA is in itself
an unravorable feature. His vitality how
ever, is wonderful, and his general health
is good.'
An examination of the patient with the
use OF the Roentgen rays disclosed inf1amed
csrtfiage; but there was no sign of cancer
Bids Farewell to Friends.
Although inquiries for press paragraphs
are strictly kept from Mr.. Gladstone, it is
said he has bid farewell to several old
friends. and knows his end is approaching.
r.
said to friend:
"A fT al lesSon-a final trial."
The old statesman has been sensibly hap
Bournemouth.
A painful incident of Mr.. Gladstone's ILL
ness has been his bombardment by unin-
vfted spiritual advisers. Not mail reaches
of chapters of the Old or New Testaments
extracts from the lives of scripturaI per-
sonages or Isolated texts. hymns, poems
etc.
Irish Local Government Bill
1t appears after all that there is little
heart in the Irish landlords opposition to
the local government bill. The majority
of them cordially dislike many of the pro-
visions of the measure; but there is too
much division in their ranks in regard to
the advisabiity of open hostility to allow
making a vigorous fight. The govern
n.ent Is fairly confident of passing the bill
before Whitsuntide. The measure has un-
CCubtedly further acceIituated the differ
erces among the Irish leaders, who have
home ruler. member Of parliament for the
west division of Fife, as "men who sit
sewing at one another like third-rate
The liberals are inclined to take serious
view of the exaggerated eulogy of the
conservative administration which Mr..
Timothy-M. Healy INDUCED in during the
second reading Of the BILL which they con-
slider done with the Tobdect of discredit-
ing the leadership Of MI John Dillon, and
to convince his countrtmen that he is as
equally Independent of liberal support as
Mr.. John Redmond. rfJ t..
,n Wales Learns to Ride. 81,
The Prince of Wales is energetically
learning bicycle riding at the Riviera, ac-
ccmpanied by an instructor and an
equerry.
A curious effect Of hard cycling is re-
ported from France. Out of the last batch
of conscripts no fewer than eight widely
known cyclists were rejected as being ply
sically incapable Of military duty. Dis
for their rejection. This causes profound
aStOnishment, all classes thinking them at
least fit to be accepted as military cyclists.
Ensign Chandler of the United States
cruiser San Francisco had an amusing ex-
perlence on his way to Gravesend. He was
in Madrid when the San Francisco sudden
ly started for England, and he was Obliged
to go to Paris and from there to Dover.
where he was recognized by two Scotland
Yard detectives as answering the descrip-
ton of man wanted for forgery. They
shadowed the ensign to Gravesend, and
were only convinced of their error when
reaching the ship Mr.. Chandler supposed
he was being watched by the British gov
errment.
Lady Castleross headed the list of the
newly elected Killarney poor law guardians.
She was nominated by her father-in-law,
the Earl Of Kenmare. Her appearance in
this role has aroused the greatest interest
In Ireland's titled classes and poor, who
hope that If members of the aristocracy
take up such duties greater measures Of re-
lief Of the distressed will follow.
"Johnnies'" New Fad.
The recent bitter winter weather has