New-York tribune., 1905-02-13
LONDON NOTES.
Retirement of a Social Inspector
The Modern Strand.
Lnndon- Fehrrarr :


nearly fifteen years he has been the chief sanI-
tary inspector of the social life OF England
With open sewer. he was in the habit or
saying. In front OF HIS court windows. yet he has
not lost his faith in the purity Of home life nor
in the essential soundness and sweetness OF bu-
man nature The Divorce act was strenuousIv
opposed in 1857 by the Episcopal bench Mr.
Gladstone and High Church men. and ii would
hardly have been passed IL a genial and some
what cynical man OF the world Lord Pal
merston. had not been Prime Minister With
the abolition Of the Jurisdiction OF ecclesiastical
courts. a civil court was established for uatri-
monIal and divorce causes. and this was eventu-
ally enlarged by probate practice into the Judi
claI division Of Somerset House As the son OF
a bishop Sir Francis Jeune might have been ex-
pected to share the ecclesiastical prejudice
against a divorce code which could not be justi-
fed by either the Old the New Testament;
but he a lawyer rather than a theologian,
and did not consider # his duty TO go behind an
act Of Parliament What he succeeded in bring
ing about during his long term on the bench was
a cautious and conservative administration Of a
drastic divorce law. His conscience was aIwavs
in his work. and. while he was forced 20 inter-
vene constantly between man and wife and to
witness the wrecking Of domestic happiness he
took pride In being defender OF the English
home Without having genius for law like the
late Lord Chief Justice. he had knowledge OF
the world. clear, common sense and good
heart; and these qualities, combined with dig
nifty and conservatism. enabled him 10 avoid
Iaxity OF administration when the law OF mar
riage and divorce was slack and relaxed. Hav-
ing chivalrous nature. his sympathies were al
ways enlisted on the side Of woman; and this
was as it ought TO have been. for the English
law of divorce bears heavily against her. and IN
the administration of it she is entitled special
favor.
Sir Francis Jsune has kept an open house for
foreigners. especially Americans. and his friend
ship could be subjected safely 20 extreme tests.
I recall with pleasure one Of these trials OF
temper It was on the night when London had
been startled and angered by President Cleve-
lands Venezuela message-the "bolt out OF the
blue" as 1t was described at the time Sir
Francis Jeune presided that evening at a charity
dinner with Mr.. Bayard. the American Min
lister, at his right and with kin Across the
Sea" as the chief toast The diners were in bad
temper and there was hot and angry talk at
every table about the Venezuela outrage and
Yankee insoIence." Nobody envied the chair
man the duty Of opening the toast list and
securing a friendly reception for the American
Minister, but Sir Francis Jeune faced the ener-
gency with facie good nature and unrufhed tact
He paid a just and generous tribute TO Amer
lea at moment when strong and even abusive
language would have been welcomed by the
audience and have been taken up the next night
at the music halls; and when Mr. Comyns Carr.
with equal self possession had made most elo-
quent and nagnanimous speech. good feeling
was restored and the American Minister was re-
ceived with hearty cheers. Perhaps Sir Francis
Jeune regarded the temporary estrangement be-
tween England and America as a minor episode,
like the domestic pickering TO which he was ac-
customed IN his court. and faith was not lack
Ing IN the true instincts and nobls graces OF
Anglo-Saxon character. Whatever may have
been passing IN his mind. he said the right word
at moment OF storm and stress. and was q
brave witness for the gospel OF sweetness and
light. The memories Of that evening are worth
the peerage which has come TO him upon his re-
tirement from protracted service on the bench
and his many American friends will heartily
congratulate him and Lady Jeune upon his well
earned leisure and promotion IN rank
Mr. Pennelrs brilliant etchings Of New-York
sky scrapers" at the International Exhibition
have not convinced London artists that high
buildings can be picturesque They have united
in a protest against the London County Coun-
cirs plans for reconstructing the north side Of
the Strand between the east and west ends OF
Aldwych-the semi-circular approaches to ths
new roadway to Holburn. They do not object
to the new Gaiety Theatre. which Is a well de-
signed and highly ornamental structure but
they condemn the adjacent structure with eight
tiers of windows and. dormers. as rnonstrous and
overpowering. and apprehend that II Is 10 hs
surrounded above and below by "sxy scrapsrs'
OF the American type. that q bad perspective
effect will be produced. and the really beautiful
structures at the bottom OF the Strand over
borne and ruined These picturesque ornaments
are Somerset House. with stately eighteenth
century facade and the two toy churches, St.
Mary lie Strand and ST. Clement Danes. with
Wren towers designed by Glib about sixty
years before the inland revenue palace. with its
5000 windows. was constructed. The portico
and tower Of the smaller church Will hold the
eye from Trafalgar Square without reference to
the frontage line the north. and 1t IS doubt
ful if the perspective OF Somerset House will be
seriously impaired by buildings OF eight or nine
stories opposite; and for DR.. Johnson's old
church. il fits In with the environment OF the
New Law Courts. and needs slight protection
against the vagaries of fantastic architecture.
The improvements committee OF the London
County Council does not consider itself under
obligation TO respect 'the whims OF a few
faddists." II is arranging for the construction
OF a series OF buildings OF moderate height which
will help to make the costly Strand improve
ments remunerative. and it is more anxious TO
have the support of rate payers than the patron
age of the masters of Burlington House.
The Strand has passed through so many
transformations in the past that il is hardly
worth while to lament the progress of the mod
ernzing spirit In the course Of the storied mile
Originally it must have been a bride Path.
-f01fr