The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-17
LONDON news and GOSSIP
A Decided Revival of Interest III
Domestic Politics.
Sir William Vernon Harccurt Denies
the RumOr of His Retirement-LOrd
Roscbcry Active Behind the Scenes
The Relations Between Eng
land and France Less Strained

LONDON, June 16.-This has been q
week of sensations in domestic politics
as befitted the moment OF the reassembiy
of Parliament. One sensation came from
Sir William Vernon Harcourt's old con-
stituency of Derby in the announcement
that he meant to retire at the close OF
the present Parliament, that is, probably
next autumn. AT once there was great
stir in political circles. for Sir Williams
continued presence in the House of Com
mons. from which Lord Rosebery, being
a peer. is excluded, is supposed to be thu
main obstacle in the way of Lord Rose
bery's return to the Liberal Leadership
and the practical domination of the party
by the Liberal Imperialist element. But
Sir William at once scotched these ex-
pectations by announcing that he had nc
Intention of withdrawing.
Another sensation is Lord Rosebery's
continued activity behind the scenes. He
has. it seems, set afioat special enquiries
which confirm the impression that he mean!
to take a foremost part in the coming
campaign, as his programme already has
been outlined in these cables, namely
what he calls a sane, tolerant race-blind
imperialism in South Africa. reformed
democratized army, the regeneration oil
the slum districts in big cities. moderate
land and temperance reform, readJustment
of taxation, and so on.
In Tory circles one still hears hope
occasionally expressed that Lord Rosebery
vii be induced to join in the reconstruc-
ticn of the Unionist Cabinet. but Rose
beryans. at least, viii give not mo-
ment's credence to the notion.
The Anelo-French Relations.
An Englishman of official status and In
IN exceptional position to judge sends this
note on Anglo-French relations: There
is ample evidence that the i'll feeling
against England is subsiding in France.
Lord Salisbury's diplomatic victory at
Fashoda was keenly resented. Since then
other factors have been at work. The at
titude of the English press in the Dreyfus
controversy was condemned by all section.
of French public opinion. The Dreyfusard
felt that his freedom of action was ham
pered by the accusation that he was IN
league with the foreigner.
The anti-Dreyfusard felt even more
keeriy the attacks upon his country and
upon the army, which he regards as the
most sacred of all his institutions. Be-
yond this the language of some OF the
leading English statesmen has been con-
demucd as too violent. Englishmen often
forget that they secure far more valuable
concessions by holding their tongues than
by the use of violent and abusive express
sions. Keenly, however, as ali this was
felt ct the moment. time has gone long
way toward modifying public opinion. In
dividuals may be insulted here and there.
sust es foreigner Is liable to occasional
III treatment in England. Frenchmen.
however rarely can think of more than
one subject at time.
Their whole attention is now taken up
BY such local questions as the Exposition.
the resignation OF General Gallifet, on the
plea Of i'll health followed by his appear
ance in the Bots de Boulogne on horseback;
the appointment of General Andre in his
place. and the salvation Of the Govern
meut through Waldeck-Rousseau's speech.
The actual presence, moreover, in Paris OF
thousands of those who protested that
nothing would induce them to visit the Ex-
position shows them that Englishmen are
occasionally to be taken no more seriously
than Frenchmen themselves.
An interchange of Courtesics.
In minor illustration of this better state
of Anglo French feeling may be noted the
Interesting friendly exchange between the
British Museum and the Bibliothequs Ma
tionale. The British Museum last year
presented to the French Government, for
the Bibliotheque Rationale and the library
of the Paris municipal council. a series Of
books. pamphlets, and tracts relating to
the French Revolution. The French Min
lister of Public instruction has now ex-
pressed the desire of his department to
present to the British Museum splendid
Sevres vase. The offer has been cordially
accepted. The vase, which is magnificent
example, Is now on view at the Paris Exhi-
bition before being sent to London for the
British Museum.
Much interest has been excited this week
by the Cambridge Mathematical Tripos.
The most remarkable feature about the list
is the smallness of its number, only sixty
three men figuring. There are usually
about a hundred. The wranglers number
sixteen only, one-half of the ordinary num-
Der The noticeable feature is the position
Of Mir. Balak RAM native of the Punjab,
as fourth wrangler. A countryman of his
was one of the two senior wranglers last
year. An Australian stands thirteenth
wrangler. AS rule. Australians at Cam
bridge are more noted for athletics than for
work The position of eighth wrangler is
attained by the first lady on the list
Criminal statistics issued this We TX show,
prin.a facie, a satisfactory dimnution OF
crime during the last thirty years. Some
deductions from the figures are remarkable.
Crime in general is most prevalent in the
great seaport towns, particularly crimes
of violence. Scotland. ireland. and France
show the same feature. On the other hand,
crimes against property prevail most in
urban districts, where, of course, there are
more property and more people. Crimes
against morals prevail most in the rural
rural districts are the most immoral
Crimes OF violence show tendency to in
crease in the southern counties Italy
shows 4 similar and France opposite
tendency. Drunkenness is more prevalent
3n the northern counties, ard the mining
districts in England and Scotland. In
France drunkenness is least evident in The
vine growing departments. Is this to lie
taken as an argument for free trade in
alcohol. or for pure liquor?
Stephen Cranes romance Of Irish life is
TO be finished for publication by Robe:t
Barr.
The Cowper Revival.
One outcome Of the recent Cowper CEN
tenary at Olney, some weeks back, is an
attempt to organize Cowper society with
the object of stimulating interest in Cow
per's writings. 1t is proposed to hold an
annual formal celebration at Olney on
April %. Among the earliest publications
of the society will be some unpublished \
poems OF Cowper. and parts of Teedon's |
diary. The secretary is Thomas Wright, |
OF Olney. whose complete edition of Cow |
per's letters will soon be published The |
question is whether Cowper has enough |
English admirers TO keep such a society |
alive. Even the Browning Society flick |
cred and died. The Bronte Society is of |
comparatiyely small account and even fhe |