New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-14

intense interest taken In the debate on the text
OF the amendment itself. and. above all, MI Bal
tours eloquent declaration that the English
Church must remain the institution that was
purified and remodelled at the time OF the
Reformation were unerring signs that the re-
ilgious question raised by Sir William Harcourt
commands public attention and cannot long DC
kept out OF politics. Sir Williams own speech
was not aggressive. but the whole action OF the
House was in line with the cause when ne mas
been advocating; every reference to the neces-
sity for obedience and discipline WITHIN the
Church and to It's essential Protestant cnar-
acter was heartily cheered. and the amendment
itself was a warning that the House must be
set in order. Sir william Harcourt was shown
to be in touch with the living issues OF the time
instead Of dating back to policies fourteen years
old
Lord Hugh Cecil. who Is the most promising
among the rising men in the House. electrified
the audience by the earnestness Of conviction ne
Displayed in attacking the Church Discipline
bill. Sensible men perceive clearly that force Is
not the remedy, and that the Archbshops court
o. moral suasion now In session. Will not settle
the religious question. The English Church
must be armed with functions OF self-govern-
ment, either with or without disestabllshment'
before the religious question can be taken out
o; politics.
The Daily Mail" having clevcry shifted the
responsibility for the continuance OF sunday
e8tions of great papers upon The Daily Tele-
graph" takes no note Of the public agitation
against them. The Daily Telegraph" Is forced
to-day to take up the cudges In its own defence
against the Home Secretary. but confesses that
in the last resort Sunday journalism is ques-
ton Of public demand, and that dstasterui
wsrey will not be forced upon readers who 90
not want them The settlement Of this moral
question Is virtually remanded TO the British
public
Lord Hopetoun's lottery remains the chief
tonic OF the West End. where the dulness of this
weeks Drawing Room is ascribed to the mis-
chievous baloting system by which some OF the
smartest ladies' are crowded out. Next week
the Queen will receive the homage Of London
when she performs two simple but characteris-
tic functions: one is the visit to her birthplace
Kensington Palace with several OF her children
and the other is the completion Of the work
begun by the Prince Consort in 1857 at South
Kersington where she will lay the foundation
stone OF the Victoria and Albert Museum
Although there is a series Of stately functions
next week. the season is so dull that even draw
ing-room teas for a private view OF court or
presentation costumes are events, and AMBITIOUS
hostesses are arranging dances ana paiis TOT
Gates next month which are ordinarily reserved
for great houses There is. indeed, so much
leisure for hours OF Incidence that one society
journal announces gravely that new thought
reader has appeared several times at Marlbor-
ough House, and that the smart sets are now
taking up the wizard at the high charge or ten
guineas visit.
The opera season has opened in Covent Garden
with brilliant social patronage; the best nightwas
Thursday when Tristan und Isolde" conceded
with Lady Crossey's ball at the Savoy Hotel.
and brought out splendid display OF diamonds
and costumes for both events. Jean de Reszke
was at his best. and there was great enthusiasm
over Wsgner's matchess work. Music-lovers
are complaining Of high prices on the special
German nights when the uppermost seat under
the roof brings FIVE shillings. and the prices OF
stalls are run up by spectators from thirty
shilllngs TO two guineas. This 10 the only cause
for complaint Mr.. Grau not only provides
Vanity Fair with an occasion for the exhibition
OF Jewels and costumes. but enables lovers OF
music TO enjoy the production OF the creates,
operas with an adequate orchestra, the best
singers OF the day and improved stage manage
inent The brilliant audiences and the remark
able performance OF Tristan" are signs that
the new opera season will be equally successfal
in Ito social and musical aspects
The great feature OF Mr.. Robert Newmans
musical festival this week has been the produc-
ton OF Perosis three oratorios. The erect or
these italian works has been distinctly disap-
pointing While the devotional spirit Of Perosis
music is generally recognized by English critics,
his harmonic schemes and orchestration are
considered crude. and he IL not credited with
exceptional powers OF musical expression. His
Resurrection Of Christ is regarded as much
stronger than 1.-The TRANSPORTATION or THE
Resurrection OF Lazarus" but the best criticism
Of England, the natural home Of oratorio is that
these cathedral works are OF second-rate I'M
portancs for the concert-room, and will not live.
More than one hundred and twenty-five p'ct-
ures mainly old masters Of the Italian, Dutch
and early English schools. were sold at Christie
to-day from the estate Of Sir Cecil Miles ana
Lord Methuens and other private galleries
Three Raphaels fetched low prices, as they
were not authentic works, but THE Holy Fam
fly" by Rubens was sold for $500 guineas. The
same painters Conversion OF st. Paul. and
THE Woman Taken in Adultery were auc-
toned of for 1850 guineas each. These three
pictures were bought by Agnew on his own
account. Two portraits by Franz Halls brought
5000 guineas together. and Sir II. Raeburn's
Innocence" 1900 guineas. There Is good deal
of downright plunging done at these art sales
by SPECTATORS but old masters are always rated