New-York tribune., 1901-07-16
ENGLISH POLITICS.
op,RY REVIVAL OF POLITICAL
roSs-THE SOURCE OF POWER
IN THE COMMONS.
London. july g.

POI - necessary leader of a faction rent OPP
one and whenever there is serious trouble
posNs s,rsehoId a threat of resignation suffices
70 me inc about a senbiance of unity. With Mr..
7 70 O'-- rsoree behind him mentor he has sum-
bO liberal conference, and Mr.. Asquith's
nm bsve assured him in advance of their
ne,,ation not TO oppose a vote of confidence
ce !. he persists in demanding IL. Unless
u hnl- saf the conference viii be harmonious.
sAs.oser by the timely display OF courage
I~ .a,,tical resource has kept the embittered
snS Of Liberalism together and strength
bsyI hIs own authority. The revolt came to an
e,sr the Liberal benches were enptied into
eD ssu and drawing room of Lady Campbell
W -r,an in Grosvenor Place, and the
pu.,ne groups found that they were
r,,s terms with another. gracious
...s united the party, and everybody went
% IN a conciliatory and peaceable frame Of
s MI Gladstone succeeded in emergencies
= ruriug the party together under his green
s,sls A woman's pink parasol now offers
20, for the Liberal factions
- ,olftical salon has not been much in use
ing recent years In London. Possibly there
- no q revival Of the social functions of Lib
=, bostesses now that there has been a con-
-,u,o,,s demonstration of their utility. Lady
-,,beI- Zimmerman has rallied the Liberal
ions AT a critical moment by inviting all the
~srbers OF Parliament owing allegiance to her
snsbsnd TO an evening party. The Grosvenor
g.cs mansion is not spacious, and Liberal I'm
,s-sists oldtime wings. new tangled Radi-
Lie and even pro-Boers. found themselves cheek
,- ,oul. and made themselves agreeable 10 one
,,o,her. Lord Rosebery and Mr.. John Morley
-s,s the only conspicuous absentees; and Mr..
.s0uth. Sir Edward Grey. Sir William Har-
r-4 Mr James Bryce, Mr.. Herbert Gladstone.
NJ Labouchere. Mr.. c. P. Scott. Mr.. r. W.
Perks and scores Of other Liberals holding
,ssouistic views respecting national policies and
,ary interests were hobnobbing for several
smrs in the most amiabIe spirit. Social amen
Hss promoted good feeling. and the hostess was
nsuked silently as the best politician in the
s-ty. The political salon triumphed after a
Ius period Of desuetude. during which public
interests had been sacrificed to idolatrous wor-
,aip Of snartness-the besetting social sin Of
rondon At once there is a shower Of invita-
ions to similar functions. Lady Tweedmouth
will receive the Liberal peers. members OF Par
lament and leading party men. with their wives.
next week al Brook House, where there are
SPACIOUS accommodations for great throng:
and within a fortnight Lady Crewe. Lady
Burghclere Lady Ellen Munro-Ferguson and
Mrs Asouith may yet enter the lists. and there
Is no more charming and fascinating hostess in
London
This social campaign may serve more pur-
poses than one. Apart from the beneficial re-
suit OF bringing the Liberal factions together
snd putting rancorous and embittered poll
iicians on their good behavior it may help TO
remove the reproach that the party has lost
tNaa-
T. the habit for long time Of sneering at the
-iberals q party OF social outcasts, without
rosperous clubs for men and without fashion
sse and smart houses for entertainment on q
rge scale. Liberals have been sensitive 10
II reproach. and Radicals have been ready
cndemn with fine irony men OF their own
party who accept invitations TO Tory country
honses and conspicuous figures in London
socie;y. Not little OF the resentment which
Xr Asquith has excited among Radicals may
be attributed 10 his own and his wife's social
successes Because they have been included in
country house parties and smart sets in town,
they have been accused Of abandoning Liberal
principles and courting the Tories. Radicals
with strong prejudices have been envious and
dogrnatic whenever they have observed indica-
nons that leading men on their own side Of the
Commons were favorites in society. They have
expressed strong disapproval Of social patron
age and Establishments. and have contended
NAT thoroughgoing Liberals must set their
.sces ster1ly against compromises with the
tiled class and fashionable people. A series OF
social functions designed for Liberals Of every
shade OF political opinion may help to render
nne Of these cynical dogmatists more tolerant
u their judgments and more flexible IN their
syn practice
Tines have changed since Holland House was
DE stronghold OF the Wings. where statesmen,
pohtcians. literary celebrities and painters were
cnstantly enjoying hospitality and exchanging
ioess Politics has been considered bad form
The drawing rooms Of Vanity Fair. and has
Oeen relegated 10 the clubs and the meeting
places Of the Primrose habitations During re-
cent years the closest approach TO a political
sne literary salon in the West End has been
lacy Jeune's house. In Harley-st., and this has
Deen opened 10 men Of all parties and nationah-
ues, and has not been devoted, like Holland House
n It's best days, exclusively 10 single political
interest When Mr.. Gladstone arrayed London
society against the Home Rule cause political
discussion languished in the drawing rooms.
0ouety became almost unanimously Conserva-
ave anc there was scope for argument or
''niroVersy. Men went TO their clubs when they
'@ned 10 talk about politics. and the great
A0oses were taken out OF politics. Celebrities.
@usts. authors, actors and musicians were well
sOnsa al dinner parties and afternoon recep-
WINS But the smart sets became more luxuri-
sas' !, not more exclusive, year after year and
asfe was shrinkage of intellectual activities
= vanity Fair. with its sumptuous order OF en-
sF'a'nrnent, its idolatry of wealth and its love
measurable excitement
Nheuarly enough. the House Of Commons has
.Aaiheo the stronghold Of middle class Eng
@ Even with the Liberal party demoraiized
distracted through the strife OF factions,
WITH an overwhelming and easily managed
-! N.elorify in pOMer IL retains a large