Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-07

Christmas Is costly to the inhabitants of
these islands and source of considerable
profit to outsiders. These figures can also
point a moral as to what this country
would do in case of war to keep the in
habitants supplied with food, and tl.cy are
being used by those who feel anxious on
the subject to advocate the desirabiity of
even a larger navy than is at present pos
sessed by England. 1t is indeed serious
question, and it is being actively taken up
by numbers of writers.
The Peace Crusade.
The international peace crusade is assum-
ing large proportions. The bishop of Lon
don has accepted the Craftsmanship Of the
executive committee, and hundreds are
flocking to the standard. The general COM
mittee, which has large number of wo-
men in it's ranks, including the bishops
wife, is very busy sending out thousands
of 1nvitatio to prospective members,
spreading the good work. By New Year
day the crusaders hoped to place their
badges on enough new adherents to make a
formidable showing, and it seems as though
this hope has been realized. The badge
consists of a small square of blue serge
with a white silk Greek cross worked in
the center Walter Crane, the well-known
designer, is getting up very beautiful
certificate of membership, which many
will probably have framed. The movement
is spreading, and subcommittee have been
formed in the provinces for the purpose of
aiding the project faster. 1t Is l think
something of a surprise to most people who
have not taken part in the crusade that the
idea was received with sucn enthusiasm
and so quickly acted upon. If real good
comes from it, it will not be the first time
that a movement for the benefit of the
world had its origin among the masses.
The RothschiId Family.
1t may not be generally known that the
sudden dea h of Baron de Rothschild makes
his icta q DIV IF no
men in the united kingdom, perhaps among
the ten wealthiest women in the world.
Miss Alice Rothschild's country place IS
near her brothers, and her town house is
next door to his on Piccadilly. Both are
very fine in their way, though not grand
as those of the late baron. 1t has been
said that the matrimonial habits of the
RothSchildS put end to the theory that
the marriage Of cousins is bound to result
III. No modern family, with the exception,
perhaps, of the queens family. have inter-
married so frequently, and certainly as re-
CARDS both the men and the women, the
Rothschilds can claim exceptional Vigor of
mind and body. Mrs. Leopold de Roths-
child. one of the most popular women in
London society, was exception to the
rule. Size was Mile. Perugia and her
wedding a brilliant one, most of the conti-
mental Rothschlds putting in an appear
ance with wondrous gifts. If Miss Roths-
child inherits Waddesdon Manor, the late
barons country seat, she win become the
owner of some of the most beautiful por-
traits of lovely women existent, notably
the famous Reynolds Mrs. Sheridan as ST
Cecilia, the beautiful Lady Hamilton
by Romney, and Mrs Jordan" by the
same artist. The exquisite paintings of
celebrated beauties alone would fill fine
gallery. Baron Ferdinand had a special
prediction for Reynolds; he was the hap
Ply possessor of the beautiful simplicity
and That's Perhaps the most interesting
room at WaGdesdon is the small octagon
little pieces of eighteenth century furniture
used by Marie Antoinette at the Petit
Trianon.
New Library for Parliament.
Parliament is to have political refer
ence library. 1t may seem. strange that it
has never had one, but such is the fact.
The house of commons has a library of
AZ, 900 volumes and the lords have 80 GOO
volumes, but the proposed library will con-
sist chiefly of files of speeches and useful
material on practical subjects and technical
matters that politicians often must be up
on. Fifteen hundred volumes are all that
at present are arranged for, but the Ii
brary will grow in time to greater proper
lions and will contribute in no small degree
to the comfort of the legislator who has at
short notice to get up a speech a SUBJ
ject of which he may know very little, but
by his handling Of which he will be judged
by his constituents, who may know all
about it. Only 12O volumes are as yet in
place. Each volume is indexed as to SUBJ
jects, and SO much is accuracy aimed at
that in many cases where the daily papers
have only given summaries of speech
local journals have been laid under contri-
button for verbatim reports. In another
section are stored those special articles from
the pens Of experts which the newspapers
publish in increasing numbers every year,
and third preserves magazine articles Of
importance on political and social topics.
Ill,
lions and answers, departmental circulars
and so on, while a fifth consists of blue
books, government returns, house of COM
mons divisions and the like The system
of indeXing under subheads which has been
adopted makes this section of especial
value, as anybody will understand who has
ever been compelled to wade through
publication in search of something he want
ed where the book had not been SO treated.
Marked Prosperity.
At this timo of the year all the news
papers print reviews of the trade of the
country for the past twelve months. On
the whole it makes very good reading for
British people this year, despite the fact
that the United States has rather run away
from the old country in some lines of bust
ness. The reports show that 1t has been
the most prosperous industrial year ever
experienced in the life of the nation In
regard to 1899 the trade prospects are of
the brightest. Shipbuilders generally have
more work on hand already than they
launched last year. Locomotive engineers
have enough work to keep them going up
TO 1900. The output of STEEL though added
to by 10 per cent in $685. will be further
materially increased in the coming year.
Malleapie iron workers report equally ia
vorablc prospects. Railroad car builders
nave lot of work to overtake, boilermak-
ers report work plentiful and all other d.
visions into which metals enter have good
times assured ahead.
1t is noticeable that the idea of friendli-
ness between this country and the United
States enters into nearly all the panto-
mines this year There is hardly a show
of this sort in which some mention of 1t
does not find place. At Drury Lane the
British hon and the American eagle walk
up and down arm in arm while the audi
ence cheers. L. H MOORE.
SALISBURY REPLIES TO THE GAR
Heartily In Accord With HIS PROPOSAL
for Disarmament