New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-04-02


these Birmingham intimations OF a future for
English music. Schools have come and gone
since he was born, during the closing years Of
Haydns life. An associate OF Alalibran and the
trainer Of Jenny Lind, santley and dozens of
famous opera singers. he has witnessed the
change OF fashions in music. the triumphs Of
Verdi. the popularity OF Chopin. Mendlessohn
and List. the creation OF Wagner's lyrical
drama at Ba5reuth. the rise and fall Of the
French school and the coming Of Richard
Strauss. With a perspective such the hale
and hearty old Spaniard has I'm his retrospect
Of century OF music little faith is required for
the forecast that a reaction viii come in Eng
land against Purcelrs dry music and the rigid
Journalism OF compositions for church chOrs- Sir
Edward Cigars face at Birmingham was turned
away from what he called the white walled
music toward the open window. He explained
that the new men could not be commonplace,
for that would be worse than vulgarity, which
might at least have the power Of initiative; and
they could not be imitators. Ginning with
Mendelssohn. grooming with Brahms and shrek
ing with Richard Strauss; but without having
the spirit either of Purcell Of John Bull
would look more TO their own country for in
spiratiOn and take to heart a genial. open air
spirit. Apparently this is what Sir Hubert Parry
has been doing in his recent work, and GER
tainly it is what Sir Edward Elgar himself has
been attempting in his Welsh themes. While it
is hardly practicable to learn from this lecture
what the English music of the future will be
like. it is fairly certain that the leader Of the
new group viii exercise a most authoritative
influence over public taste.
DR.. Fairbairn has been explaining in THE
Times" the peculiarities of the franchise in the
University of Oxford. Tie voter in the univer-
sity election for Parliament is member Of the
fN01r
for the privilege. The lower IS paid If
the Bachelor Of Arts duly proceeds to the degree
OF Master OF Arts. and the higher If he
does not submit TO examination and pays sup
Elementary fee Of S75 in the course of a few
years. The franchise is not accessible to gradu-
ates who have taken their degrees but have
neglected to pay these high fees; and conse-
quently not more than one in eight is a qualified
voter in the Parliamentary election. DR.. Fair
BARN, while well known Liberal. does not adj
vocate the abolition of university representation,
but he considers it nequitable to limit the
franchise to pass men. who can afford to pay
the costs As these fees constitute q consider
able source of revenue to the university. it is
rot likely that the conditions of membership in
Convocation will be changed. He does not men
ton the Rhodes scholars. but apparently all
colonial and foreign graduates can become men,
bers Of Convocation if they take their degrees
ana pay elLneF Sl0O or &Zuo- AS Iney VIII ne
voters by virtue of tkeir degrees and as 26-
Founders 41-pounders. colonial birth or
American German citizenship will not af-
feet their franchise. This is not a matter
Of practical Importance, as the Rhodes scholars
are hardly likely to make permanent invest
ment in fancy franchises. The question of uni
versity representation in Parliament will in
evitably be raised by graduates of Leeds, Man
chester Liverpool, Birmingham and other
institutions, which do not now enjoy the privi-
leges Of the older seats Of learning in England
Scotland and Ireland When this is DONE it
will be difficult even for Oxford conservatism to
resist the conclusion that this special franchise
ought to be grounded upon higher education
alone, and not upon degrees and extortonate
charges.
The amalgamation Of Mr.. Arthur Pearsons
two evening newspapers, The Evening Stand
ard" and The ST. James's Gazette" has been
heralded by some of the most ingenious and in
teresting advertisements which have ever been
written; and IT has been followed by an out
break OF sharp competition. Mr.. Pearsons
laurels have not suffered Sir Alfred Harmsworth
to sleep. THE Evening News has been en-
larged and a staff of special contributors has
been recruited; the number Of editions in various
colors has been increased. and the arrangements
for special deliveries greatly improved, and a
the streets proclalning the enterprise and liter
airy virtues of the haIfpenny paper. The ANAL
gamated penny paper meanwhile, has been dill
gently advertised and effectively brought into
the market a daily review Of literary artistic,
musical; political and social events. with the
latest news printed from hour to hour after
midday. 1t is probable that it already has a
much larger circulation than the old time "St.
James's Gazette and The Evening Standard
had between them; and Sir Alfred Harmsworth
has considered it expedient to protect his profit
able halfpenny property from too vigorous COM
petition by increasing its attractiveness. AS the
market is now overstoclOed with evening news
papers. it is not unlikely that some of the
smaller sheets viii be crowded out, unless there
are further purchases Of properties and amalga-
nations THE Pail Mall Gazette" and THE
Globe are edited with too much ability to suf-
fer seriously from competition and THE West
minister Gazette is safe so long as Mr.. GouIds
clever cartoons adorn its pages and are enjoyed
by of all parties. There is an increased
demand for signed articles by specialists. and
this il unmixed gain for newspaper readers.
Inf.