New-York tribune., 1899-05-07

err TO appeal to the country when the Opposi-
tion is without hopefuiness and courage
There probably never was less salt In Engisn
pol,tics than at present when tie public is hope
iessly bored and has ceased to read the depa'es
of Parliament. There Is only one question winch
deeply interests the country. and neither party
is willing to take II up from dread OF the coh-
sequences. That Is the religious questioh' On
which there will be cross-voting and redis-
tribution of political forces in every constituency
in the United Kingdom The Archbishops VIII
Introduce next week their remedy or spirituai
court with advisory powers. and will take up the
ceremonial use Of lights and incense In the ex-
treme ritualistic church in the East End OF Lon
don. The Opportunists and moderate men In
the Church are hoping for good results but
court without authority to enforce its decisions
is a palliative not a remedy. The Church Dis
ciplIne bill will come up next week In Parna-
rnent. with Erastianism behind IT. but force can
not be a remedy which the House OF Commons
will ever prescribe. The real problem to be
solved in the English Church is one OF self
government by which the evils of individual
action and vagaries on the part Of Wears ana
curates will be counteracted; that can be worked
out either through disestablishment or through
a Church reform by which the ancient conVoea-
tions will be armed with disciplinary powers
which the House Of Commons will never con-
sent 10 exercise under the Act OF Royal su-
piemacy.
The parties are likely TO take opposite
stands on this question which deeply concerns
the English people. Lord Rosebery has had
nothing TO say this burning issue. which Is
certain TO light up political discussion In the
near future and dispei what he describes as the
hideous apathy now prevailing.
The Whitefriars Club offered a fine exhibition
OF after-dinner oratory last night at the Hotel
Cecil 1t was ladies' night. with brilliant COM
pany of men and women Of letters. Mr.. gilbert
Parker was in the chair between Lady warwick
and Lady Randolph Churchill. and made TWO
sparkling speeches Friar Hall Caine proposeo
a toast 70 the Sovereign Woman. rehearsing the
triumphs Of the sex and receiving hearty ap-
nlause Mrs Fawcett made a droll and effective
response The ladies then took their turn IN
complimenting the other sex. Mrs Robert
leighton proposed the health OF Mere Man In
witty speech. and Mr.. l.. F. Austin. who is
master of ALL the stage business OF drol after
dinner speaking made most humorous reply.
For Mr. Anthony Hope was reserved the duty
of having tribute 10 kinsfolk across the seas,
and he referred with heartiness 10 the sympa-
thetic greetings received from fifteen hunureu
Americans and sounded jocose warning
against international Joking. suggesting that
mutual embargo must be placed upon humor In
the interest Of peace and goodwill. since Eng
Ishnen do not understand American jokes nor
Americans English jokes Lady Ranooiph
Churchill replied for America with grace ana
sincerity Throughout the evening there was
FIRE play Of wit and pleasantly. and the conVic-
tion was general that the best after-dinner
speaking in England requires the presence OF
both sexes.
The only art novelty this week Is the collection
OF portraits and pictures Of children by twenty
three English. Scotch, Dutch and French paint
ers at the Goupil Gallery. There are hfty-nine
oil and water color pictures. with two by MT
Watts. "Ganymede" and JIM rightfuly In the
place Of honor There eight works by James
Maris a charming water-color by Mauve, strong
portraits by James Guthrie and John Lavery,
and other examples of the delicate art Of child
painting. in which Watts and Millais have ex-
ceed during this generation
Art sales are attracting great crowds at
Christies an important collection, mainly OF
modern pictures and water color drawings be-
longing 10 the late S!T John Fowler, was auc-
toned of this afternoon at good prices The
chief treasure was admirable landscape by
Hobbema one Of the best examples of that old
masters finished style in painting sturdy oaks
with deep shadows underneath. There was also
a Greuze. The Little Mathematician" with
young girl holding pair OF compasses There
were many Iandseers "Ptarmigan Hr being
the best one. and large and brilliant collection
of drawings by Turner Prout, Fielding, Cox.
ate and fhnH
painters The competition for Landseers and
Turner's was brisk. and the Hobbema was sold
at q high figure. Another collection Of water
colors belonging 10 the late Mr. George Nicoi,
will be auctioned off on Monday
The theatres are now doing great business,
owing 10 the dulness OF the social season. There
are no important changes Of programme. but the
old favorites are having festal celebrations, like
THE Maneuvres OF Jane" at the Haymarket,
which has reached It's two hundredth night ow
ing 10 the fine acting Of Mr. Cyril Maude and
Miss Wilfrid Emery The opera will open at
Covent Garden next week with brilliant pros
poets.
Mr. Arthur Balfour has had an evening party
during the week with great throng of guests,
and there have been two or three minor balls.
The chief topic Of the West End Is Lord Hope
toun's method OF balloting for invitations to the
coming Drawing Rooms at Buckingham Palace.
for which he has been overwhelmed with appi-
cations Many great ladies have been left out
by the wheel Of fortune. and the Queen on her
arrival at Windsor has found special appeals for
royal Intervention awaiting her. The hotels are
beginning to h up with American tourists, and
a brisk season is expected Richard Croker ar
Cntxi
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