New-York tribune., 1905-12-17

parent that the counter attack on the revival
OF Home Rule will be less effective than the
Chlonists have hoped. The Liberals have not
repelied either the home rulers or the FREQ
traders and have conciliated the labor party.
Their canvass for the January elections looks
more promising than fortnight ago. The
country does not yet know whether Mr.. Bal
four and Mr.. Chamberlain stand together and
what will be done with the Unionist Free Trad
ers The court changes have been more diff
cult than ministerial appointments, but the
King returning from Welbeck Abbey will find
| successors to all the great officers of the
| household ready to kiss hands for next weeks
council The peerage was not suspected or
radical tendencies during the long decade OF
Unionist rule. but that officers, salaries and
patronage be distributed the Liberals burst
into full flower in single night Yet while the
household offices be filed and many appi-
cants can be left out, there are twice many
lawyers lords in the government, and the
group of peers led by the Marquis of Ripon and
Baron Tweedmouth will be beggarly knot of
debaters- This may be practical proof that the
Tory stronghold needs to be reformed and legfs-
lative functions reserved for restricted num-
Der of selected peers
NO LACK OF LIBERAL HOSTESSES.
There is a good deal of nonsense in print
about the lack Of Liberal hostasses. There mas
been nothing like political salon during the
Unionist administration. There will be brisk
London season, even if the Liberals carry the
country with rush and take serious view ol
their obligations! as reformers. Spencer House
may be closed. Lady Aberdeen is in Ireland
and Lady CampbeI-Bannernan in poor health
but Lady Darlington, Lady Burghclere and
Lady Coebrooke have big houses and Lazy
Crewe. Lady Hayter. Lady Pearson, Mrs As
quith, Lady Marjorie Sinclair. Mrs. Herbert
Gladstone and Mrs. L. Vernon Harcourt are
Liberal hostesses of exceptional charm
NEW FOREIGN OFFICE HEAD.
Sir Edward Grey enters the foreign office
when there is a complete lull in diplomatic al
foirs. So capable a statesman will find MS
bearings at once in a matter like the Morocco
conference, in which England. France and Spain
are drawn. together. He displayed friendship
for America by receiving Ambassador Reid in
advance Of the other members of the diplomatic
CORPS All Americans honored with his friend
ship know that Sir Edward Grey has the hearty
admiration of their country. He has the repu-
tation of being more just and tolerant in his
estimate of the German Emperor than imperial
lists OF the Maxey type usually are One OF the
features of the Shore Market has been the
formation of a powerful British company for
the development Of the rubber trade and the
mineral resources OF the negro republic Of Lii
beria The German traders have taken alarm
and warned the Berlin government that their
own business is menaced by concessions
granted by the British commercial monopoly,
and they are hoping that American resentment
viii be excited The negro republic, founded
by the American Colonization Society, has been
unprogressive and has not allowed foreigners
to enter the interior and reach the hinterland.
Some legislation has been obtained for the
British company, and more is expected, as the
manager Frank Braham, Is most capabis
man and well supported in England.
THE VELASQUBZ "VBNUS" STILL UNSOLD
The velasQuez Venus" can be purchased for
America with prompt offer of f55.oOO. The
time allowed for completing the subscription
fund for the purchase of the picture for the
National Gallery expired last night, and there
will be no extension. Mr.. Asquith has not been
willing to openAthe reform and retrenchment
Of the treasury management with a grant for
the costly masterpiece of art. and while the
authoritative critics have been of one mind re-
specting the merits Of this unique work the sub
scriptions have not exceeded 10000 The pict-
is now on the market again without reserve.
Inquiries have been received from Berlin and
the French government is making active eff
forts to buy it for the Louvre. If the American
$1,000, one of the worlds greatest art treasures
VIII be secured
THE IRVING SALE
The third days sale Of the Irving relics at
Christies carried the aggregate receipts above
f14.s00, with tbs library not yet auctisned off
Sir Henry Irving's wife probably will have a
life interest in this small fortune The prices OF
the i5S pictures 5old to-day before great
crowd were, with single exception. moderate
and not SO amazing the bids for the silver,
furniture and theatrical relics An exception
was Whistler's portrait of Irving as Philip of
Spain. for which B. F. Stevens bid 4,800 guineas
after an exciting competition. The picture was
bought for American coIector-not Mr.. Freer
nor any museum but for q wealthy patron of
art whose name was not announced by the
bidder. Sargent's portrait of Ellen Terry as
Lady Macbeth brought 1900 guneas This was
his first experience in auction room, except
at a charity sale. The portrait of Joseph JEFF
ferson Rip Van Wrinkle by himself was sold
for II guineas. and Forbes -Robertson's church
scene in Much Ado" for SO guineas Portraits
Of Garrick, Kean and other actors went low.
Everything having direct personal association
with Irving commanded a high price.
NEW-zBALAND PLAYERS LOSE.