New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-04-02
LONDON NOTES.
Mr. BaIfOur's Smile - Future of
English Nusic-Nczrspapers.

the Commons without many dissenting voices.
Outside Parliament he may be known as the
master OF paradoxes, a leader Of wonderful hexi-
bility and self-pOssession. and statesman Of
exceptional subtlety OF intellect: but in the
smoking room he is described as Prime Min
lister with a smile. This is a tribute to Mr. Bal
Sours individuality. for only Prime Minister
OF recent times in England has been in the habit
Of smiling. Mr.. Gladstone frOwned sterTly when
q debate was going against him. and he lacked
the sense OF humor required for serious emer-
gencies Of public life. Lord Salisbury mas
ter OF the art OF ironic pleasantly. but he seldom
smiled. Mr. Disraeli was a Of mystery
silently broOding over inscrutable policies and
out Of touch with his followers. Sir Robert
Peel was cold. reserved ana pompous. and Lord
John Russell more generous IN sarcasms
than in smiles Lord Palmerston genial
man OF the world. with a beaming face and
good heart and he had a characteristic way OF
disaTming opposition by his candor. simplicity
and 6irectness. He was Prime Minister with
e smile: but, unlike Mr.. Balfour, he lacked
polish. was rough IN his manners and plain in
speech. His smile indicated light hearted.
sauRty habit Of jogging along in public life with
out making enemies cherishing resentments.
and without takil-o too serious a view Of what
was going on around him. Mr.. BalfouT's smile
has more method and artihce behind It. 1t
le AlEl lllQ0e0 ana accom- pilsAeu
resource for meeting attack and reassuring his
followers without sacrificing his personal dignity
or lowering his distinction OF manner.
When Colonel Baden-Powell was besieged by
che Beers at Mafelring OF his favorite re-
marks was quoted to illustrate his remarkable
talent for getting work out OF inferior races and
companions in arms. IT was: "A smile and a
stick win carry you through any difficulty in the
world" Mr.. Balfour has a stick. bat he ordi-
$780,
upon bis rebellious followers and whips them
unto line with vehement reproaches and wither-
ing sarcasms: or when the Opposition benches
are ohstrncting business and harassing the gov
eminent IN debate he proposes amended pro-
uedure in supply, or menaces them with drastic
measures for shortening discussion. The stick
a his arm for offensive operations. while the
smile is his natural weapon OF defence. 1t is
highly mobile and expressive smile, capable OF
registering idle amusement. bored indifference.
naughty contempt righteous indignation and
many other emotions: and he uses it with fine
variety Of method. When Mr.. Churchill well
comes him IS a stranger the front bench, and
sareasticany remarks that the members do not
often have the privilege Of seeing him. and
consequently desire TO make his visits among
Them as pleasant as possible while they last Mr.
F3alfour smiles as though his youthful tormentor
were playing a childish prank in the nursery.
When Mr.. Asquith, in his grayest tones de-
scribes the amended procedure as subverstve or
all the traditions OF the Commons and OF all
the principles Of constitutional Giberty, the Prime
Minister looks across the table with amusement
and surprise over the vagaries OF partisan
oratory When a fervid Radical hesitates over
a terrific epithet and pathetically expresses his
dread Of being called 10 order, Mr.. Balfours
face beams with delight he replies benevo-
1eptlv: Not at all" When the Liberals and
Nationalist interrupt the Prime Minister with
a storm Of reproaches. jeers and taunts, his face
lights Up with a genial glow Of curiosity as
though he were standing in front Of monkey
cage and wondering what tricks or antics would
come next So the Prime Minister with a smile
takes his way from hour TO hour in the Com
mons an amused spectator OF all the follies OF
a dignihed legislative assembly. fascinating
friend and foe with the glamour Of his optimism,
and not forgetting to bring out the stick with
an energetic flourish when the members are get
ting out Of hand and discipline is TO be restored.
Sir Edward Elgar has reached the distinction
Of having symphony and philharmonic concerts
with programmes made up exclusively Of his
music and also Of being welcomed at Birming-
ham as the leader Of a new and progressive
school OF English music. His appointment as
professor OF music at the university has been
considered the first step toward the creation Of
q
can receive as good training in Paris
Berlin. His opening lecture has stimulated local
pride for he has referred to the associations of
the ATidlands with the greatest of English names,
Shakespeare, and also TO the revival OF music
at provincial festivals in that district and in
Yorkshire. sir Edward Elgar is himself a native
OF Worcestershire where he learned to play the
'siolin IN boyhood. and where he began work as
a church organist and choirmaster. and first be-
came known as a composer OF cantatas, choral
suites and festival works. The Three-choir
festivals supplied his earliest opportunities for
original work and il was not long before he
composing King Olaf "Caractacus" and other
scores for the Birmingham. StahfOrdshire. Leeds
and shefaeld bands and choirs. The provinces,
rather than London. have created what is best
and most hopeful in the new school Of English
music It is in Birmingham that there now
iseems the best chance of establishing a centre
az musical education. Sir Edward Cigars name
IS one TO conjure with; Sir Oliver Lodge. prin-
cipal OF the university, has a way OF getting
money whenever he asks for it: and local pride
IS intense in Birmingham. Three-year courses
with degrees are already proposed; musical
ilibrary ranking with the best in Germany,
France and Italy is suggested; the best music
iss 20 be regularly heard there at concerts and
festivals: and an effort is 10 be made 70 impart
"A distinctive character 20 the method OF teaching.
In the opening lecture Sir Edward Elgar had
more 20 say about the future than the past OF
English music He dismissed oldtime enthusi-
Rsm over the dry music Of the seventeenth cen
fury as wasted and impractical. and added the
sarcastic comment that as far as it had any
hearing on living art lit was like blind men in
ohurchyard at midnight trying to read
epitaphs in a forgotten tongue" He followed
f1ook tE,o