New-York tribune., 1912-02-26
LONDON NOTES
Front Benchers-A Monochrome
iSt ShoW-Mr. BendaIl. Ts9


The Opposition group has perhaps SUI
perior grounds for satisfaction since the
byelections are running heavily against
the Government, and the new leader, Mr.
Bonar Law, has made fine reputation
already for aggressiveness, straightfor-
| ward methods and resourcefulnesa
| Faction feuds have ended in that quar-
ter and he has impaired to his associ-
ates his own buoyant confidence In
speedy victory for the Unionist cause.
On the other hand, ministers have met
Parliament in a rollicking mood and
| seem to be on the best possible terms
with one another. The Chancellor OF the
Exchequer may be harassed by the agi-
tations against the insurance act, but
he has bright smile and a roguish Word
for every one of his colleagues except
sturdy John Burns, who keeps out Of his
way. The Prime Minister beams benevo-
lently upon his rival, and, apparently has
no suspicion of Cabinet intrigues and no
apprehension of the collapse OF the min
istry this year. He knows the secret Of
| SllCceSSlul III NiAO ONAaA~ASs
He affects a Palmerstonian gayety of
spirits. allows his colleagues to distin-
y1,ish themselves in debate and does not
speak too often, holding himsef IN re-
serve for supreme occasions.
Three Of Mr.. Asquith's associates have
been fortunate in commanding public
attention on the eve Of Parliament ana
two of them have received special greet
ings and hearty congratulations. Sir
Edward Grey, looking colder and more
Roranesoue than ever, has been re-
warded by his sovereign with the Gar
ter. He has carried entente diplomacy
TO such lengths, especially in the Per-
sian affair, that extreme Radicals have
been estranged, but the King Is grateful
to him for respecting the Edwardian tra-
dStion and has crowned him with honor
at the moment when there are insidious
intrigues against the Foreign Onca
The other successful minister to be over
whelmed with compliments is MT.
Churchill, whose jingolsh speech on the
navy has created intense satisfaction
throughout the kingdom. Extreme Rad
icals who are obsessed with the idea OF
an all around settlement with Germany
on armaments, frontiers and commercial
interests would have planned counter
demonstration in favor Of Lord Haldane
II he had been In the Commons; and
probably the Welsh Chancellor would
have looked on with his blandest smile.
They dislike Sir Edward Grey and ara
disappointed in Mr.. Churchill, but they ;
ara shrewd enough not to whip thistles
when the imperialist King is behind ons
and the nation is behind the other. The
impression OF ministerial unity produced
nv the opening scenes is unmistakable.
Mr.. Asquith has restored harmony ana
they are working heartily together. with
the Chancellor less powerful than ne
was.
Professor Reinhardt is not responsible
for the Pageant Of Nonconformity at
Agricultural Hall. II he had been ne
would have massed the performers, ac-
CELEBRATED the action of the professions
and converted episodes and monologues
into stirring drama. This is an Ensllsh
made historical pageant, patterned AFTER
louis n. Parker's series and the Fulham
Palace show, and no inspiration has been
drawn from the fine artistry and cumu-
lative grandeur OF '"The Miracle Inc
Rev. Hugh Parry has written the book
of the pageant and provided some racy
dialogue, and the Women's League OF
the London Congregational Union has
supplied the costumes and organized THIS
Protestant fete. There has been seri-
GUS purpose behind this religious drama
of the battle for the individual conscience
and the freedom of churches, and the
tableaus are we'll dressed and effective
The long waits between scenes, the drag
ging slowness of the professions and the
exasperating deliberation Of the dialogue
might have escaped observation II Pro-
fessor Reinhardt had not shown London
how multitudes of amateurs can D.
drilled and religious subjects be illumi-
mated with genuine artistry and breadth
Of treatment.
There are, however, stirring pictures
for faithful Protestant eyes. Lutner
stands at the Diet Of Worms before tno
Emperor, and while censers swing ana
crosses gleam refuses to recant his De-
liefs. John Knox denounces the Queen
of Scots with austere earnestness; Bun
yam languishes in prison and Barro" z
and Greenwood console each other under
H. EofharS sci out
for the New World, and Richard Baxter
is tried before Jeffreys. There are strik-
ing commonwealth scenes, with Crom-
well and King Charles and Milton ana
MARVEL all well impersonated. and the"
Is a dramatic episode with ClaverhouSe
and the Covenanters. Elizabeth Gaun'
is condemned to the stake; Wesley
poses Beau Nash to public contempt'
Robert Raikes, with buns and hot po'a-
toes, draws a group of urchins into the
first Sunday school, and the missionary
ship Duff sails on it's pioneering crcui'
to the foreign field. The least famihar
of the seventeen episodes is the secfe'
wedding feast In June 1867, which was
broken up as a breach of the Act OF con-
formity; the guests, when committed
the Bridewell, joining in the first con-
gregationaI service. AS money draw
ing spectacle this pageant cannot W
compared with THE Miracle" al tne
Olympia, but there is sincere effort "
reproduce the spirit of Puritanism anu
Nonconformity and to remind He'
churchmen of the greatness of their
heritage N the religious world.