Nantwich, Sandbach & Crewe Star — 1890-03-29 ()

FROM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT.  LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVEITING.  There is a lull before the storm which is rapidly gathering over Mr. Balfour's unlucky bill. Nothing could he hollower than the attempts of thyMinisterial scribes to manufacture enthusiasm for this measure. The truth is that it is regarded by the whole party with the greatest apprehension. Ono Tory oracle admits that the Irish landlords do not like it, but reminds them that their interests are of small account compared with those of the Union. This is as good a specimen as any of t' .e average Tory ignorance about Ireland. To snub the " loyal minority" for the sake of the Union is truly an exquisite piece of irony. In these days of nervous ever-pressure, it does ona good occasionally to hear praises of muscle. In a. railway carriage this morning I was treated to an eloquent description of Muttlebury, who is, number six in. the Cambridge boat. "The thickest man I ever saw, sir. He has no waist ; lie's. straight up•and down, and rows fourteen stone. I F w- him at Hendon, in the four—ar race, and by George, sir, he pulled the boat. Tall man ? Oh no. Not more than five feet eleven, or barely six feet. He and Gardner will win, sir. They will row like devils." There was much more of the same kind,. but I was chiefly impreased by .the statement that a man of six feet or thereabouts is not tall. There is hope for our species yet. The University sports came off very successfull? at the Queen's Club, in the presence of a considerable concourse of spectators, including a, great many ladies, who are always especially attracted by these contests; Queen's Club is no handier from a geographical point of view than Lillie Bridge, but it is mtich better , adapted for pedestrianism, and has much ; better accommodation for onlookers. Cambridge  repeated their victory of last year, but Oxford again were auccesaful in the most important events. The honours of the day rested with the presidents on either side. Mr. Greig won the Hurdles for Cambridge, and afterwards the Broad Jump, clearing no leas than. twenty-two feet seven and three-quarter inches; while Pollock-Hill, for Oxford, not only! out the record easily in the Mile, which he won in ! four minutes twenty-one and three-fifths seconds, but subsequently came in first for the Three Miles with ridiculous- ease, thereby performing two .un.; paralleled feats in one day. I saw Mr. Rider Haggard on Tuesday concealing himself in a box at the Adelphi. He WAS apparently disinclined to repeat that famous rhetorical performance which excited so much interest one afternoon when an unhappy dramatic version of "She" was presented to an astonished public. This. time Mr. Haggard has been more fortunate in his-playwrights. Miss Evreretta Lawrence and Mr. J. L Bisgood have come very near making a good play out of "Jess." There are certain shortcomings. which might be remedied; but it was less to these than to mechanical difficulties that the comparative ineffectiveness of Tuesday's representation was due. The famous scene in which Jess. and John Neil escape from the murderous Boers across the ford was marred by insufficient theatrical resources. You cannot present a.scene of this, sort at a morning performance with all the necessary appliances. Moreover, at a critical moment the lightning went wrong, and the Boers who were supposed to be killed by it fell down in perfect darkness, to the surprise of the audience. The acting was in the main excellent. Miss- Lawrence was too nervous to do herself justice as Jess, though she had an excellent conception of the character. Mr. Charles Dalton made a forcible Muller, and the Hottentot, Jantze, was admirably played by Mr. Athol Forde. Under happier conditions, I have 110 doubt this play would make a very favourable impression.  Colonel North has added to his modest for tune by the success of: his horse Simonian, at Lincoln, whereby he secured no less than £lO,