New-York tribune., 1901-05-18
BUSY DAYS AT MOAT HOUSE
RICHARD CROKER ABSORBED IN BEAT.
TIFYING HIS ENGLISH HOME.
A SOUTH AFRICAN MINING BOOM EXPECT
ED BEFORE MANY wEEKs-LIT-
ERARY NOTES
ERARY NOTES

ERARY NOTES.
Copyright: 1901: BY The New-York Tribunal
GBY CABLE TO TRIBUNE.l
London. May is, j a. m.-Mr. Croker's London
friends in constant communication with
Moat House. but little of him. He is so
deeply interested in everything that is going on
there in the improvement of the house and
groun6s hat he is never absent for more than
a few says together. The lake which he Is MAX
ing in the grounds is assuming large proportions
and nill nave a picturesque island in the middle
II had been expected that work on the grounds
would be finished in July, but Mr. Croker has
an awkward habit OF thinking of something
fresh and the enlarging operations in progress
AT the entrance to Moat House now impress the
villagers of Letcombe as very swell The low
4 j wall along the drive bristies with iron
7 ings The number Of workmen employed in
reform campaign at Moat House has been
,E sed. ana the processes OF decoration are
progress. The master OF the house reads
D, New-York newspapers. keeps newspaper
correspondents at safe distance directs the
,gorkmen, watches his colts and enjoys life
,rfe colts which Were formerly cared for at the
white house on the downs will speedily be
brought to Letcombe. where he can see them
daily.
The day for Mr.. Cookers departure for New
York remains mystery to his friends here. and
his political plans not heralded His son
talks Of going TO EPSON On Derby Day. and he
will rrobably remain in England during the
summer
Mr. Croker has reason to congratulate himself
on his ownership OF Harrow. This horse, which
a week ago landed big race at Kempton Park.
won another valuable handicap yesterday at
Gatwick. Harrow commanded the allegiance Of
ali the followers Of Wishard. who turned out the
4rs,-, CIV frrrlO iS
probable that Harrow is about the fastest
animal in training on the English turf to-day.
The agricultural returns for 1900 which have
3ust been issued show that the decline OF British
agriculture pursues its steady course. The area
under corn crops in Great Britain which in 1870
occupied 9,54S,OoO acres, has fallen TO 1885 600
acres. The under green crops has fallen
almost as heavily, while only the acreage laid
down in grass and clover shows increase. In
horses, cattle sheep and pigs there is slight
advance in this period, but not such as to keep
pace with the increase in population or to COM
pensate for the diminished production.
England, which used to grow her own corn and
was able TO feed herself, is becoming every year
more and more dependent upon imports from
foreign countries.
Capel Court has recovered its breath 81 not its
nerve, after the American deadlock The
croakers who were looking for a wholesale
smash like the famous Kafir slump have again
been discredited as prophets There is no dis
position 10 deal with Americans, and spectators
hoping for revival Of business in the
mining market, since that is the game which
they understand, whereas Wall Street is full Of
mysterious corners" Evidence is not lacking
that there will be South African mining boom
before many weeks. johannesburg is gradually
filling, the mines are reopening and arrange
ments are making for the reorganization OF the
government Of the town. The reopening OF the
''Kaffir circus would have at least good re-
sut-it would engross the attention Of the
capitalist class. and allow IT less leisure for
meddling IN the government OF the new British
colonies. Some Of Sir Alfred Miners recent ap-
pointments in the Transvaal have excited much
criticism. The eight powerful groups of capital
lists have been represented too conspicuously in
those appointments and feeling Of distrust
has been created, which tends to retard the
pacifcation Of South Africa. / told that
General Botha, soon as he learned that Sir
Alfred Miner was about to leave South Africa,
sent mounted messenger TO General Kitchener
with view to the reopening Of peace negotia-
tions. General Botha wanted to communicate
with Mr.. Krlger. but Lord Kitchener said he
could have no dealings with the ex-President-
Apart from Bleloch's book. New South At
rica" which Heinemann will publish next week.
there are no belated ventures Of real Importance
in the publishing trade American publishers
now here find no employment, for the autumn
business has already been arranged. Dent has
undertaken TO bring out an edition Of Hazlitts
collected writings, twelve volumes. with an in
PRODUCTION by w. Z. Henley. Fisher Unwin VIII
publish speedily Wallace Lloyd's American
story Bergen Worth" The library OF Sir
Henry Hope Edwardes. which is coming under
the hammer at Christies, contains many treas
ures from the Hamilton. Ashburnham and Beck
ford collections, and many volumes OF senti-
mental interest from having once belonged TO
famous people, such Charles III. Sir Philip
Sidney, Lord Bacon.
Edmund CSosse IS the only foreign author ex-
cept Professor Sovensen, the veteran Danish
historian. who has ever received a Swedish
decoration of a Knight Of the Order of st. Olaf.
The King Of Sweden has conferred this dis
tinction in response 10 a request from the NOT
wegian Government. signed by all the minister's
in recognition of the services Of the Enghsh
essayist 20 Norwegian literature especlaHy III
introducing Ibsen 10 the Anglo-Saxon world.
l. n. F.
LONDON TO ENTERTAIN NEW-FoRhEhs'