LONDON JOTTINGS.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 277, 21 April 1898, Page 4

LONDON JOTTINGS.

[VKOM OUII LADY CORIIESrOXDEXT] London, February 2S. "TIT-BITS." One may have so much to write about and yet so little, it is difficult to know sometimes what topic to choose, for though London with its daily life teeming with incidents, affords plenty of scope for writers, still it is not always easy to pick out tit-bits to interest one's readers; or they may be considered stale, or not racy enough. I hat word tit-bits reminds me that last week I walked into the busy offices where that weekly periodical is compiled and sent forth to the world, and was shown all over the premises. I found it very interesting to watch the paper being put into proper form. There are two large machines at work and the noise and bustle arc just ear-splitting, but everything is managed to perfection, and it is wonderful to watch the one large sheet of paper go in at the top of the machine, watch it passing in and out with inconceivable rapidity over different axles, and gradually taking shape, until finally out it tumbles at the bottom of all, finished (just as you buy it), ready to send oil - to its different destinations without ever a single bit of hand-work about it. Each lot which comes out comprises twenty-six copies, and 24,000 is the number completed within the hour. There are, ou an average, 1,000 hands employed, and the nights before publishing the staff of employees in each department have to be at their post, some in different uniform, and all the work is arranged. I asked if it paid to give so much away in the various prize competitions we constantly see offered, and the answer wa3 • " Oh, yes! sometimes we are a little below the mark, but then we make it up a"ain, and on the whole it pays very well. SPIRITUALISM AND THEOSOPHY. Last Monday evening I had the privilege of attending a private conversazione in connection with the Spiritualists and Theosophists. It was a special meeting and was held in the banqueting room at St. James Hall. The place was crowded, and, being a dress affair, the scene presented was quite gay. We had music during the evening, but the chief interest attached to it was the presence of Mrs Annie Besaut who, clad in rather a nondescript costume of cream silk, "ave an address which, though it lasted three-quarters of an hour, was really a capital specimen of fluent oratory, and I heard one gentleman say it was the finest bit of public speaking he had heard for a long while. I confess I could not understand all she said, being neither Theosophist nor Spiritualist, but I enjoyed listening to her. It appears there is not that friendly relation between these two bodies that there ought to be, considering they differ so little in many things, and Mrs Besaut is most anxious to "bury the hatchet,' and begged the Spiritualists to be more charitabfe and forbearing to their brothers and sisters, all of which was received with great applause by her own special adherents, but cast rather an amusing face on the matter when, after Mrs Besaut sat down with quite a flourish of trumpets as it were, a gentleman Spiritualist, Mr Page-Hopps, got up aud, though he complimented and thanked Mrs Besaut for her address, said "he really didn't know what in the world she had been talking about, and for his part he could not for the life of him, understand what she meant." I thought that was rather a coming down from the sublime to the ridiculous. Mrs Besaut declared that mediums were often frauds, because those surrounding them were frauds, and exercised on these sensitives wrong influence by being smokers, drinkers, etc., and it was rather a novel idea to me when she said the Vestal Virgins of old were nothing but mediums or sensitives which was the reason they were kept apart from this world for fear of being subject to influence of surrounding frauds. I don't know whether the majority of the company were spools or sensitives or astral bodies, or what I was myself, but I think we must all have been very material, for there was a unanimous adjournment to the adjoining coffee room, and notwithstanding the lavish provision made, the demand for refreshments was almost greater than the supply.

MILITARY MANOEUVRES. Our military are at prasent kept pretty well employed, for the powers that be arc constantly issuing marching orders, and we often meet different companies on the warpath, marching across London, heavily equipped or not, as the case may be. I witnessed a good part of the great night march of the Guards and Volunteers about a fortnight ago. First, a large detachment of Guards crossed Highbury Fields, close to here; then, by taking the train from the Btation to Gospel Oak, we were in time to see the Surrey Volunteers and other companies pass on to Hampstead Heath. About 5000 passed us on their way to meet an imaginary foe (there being 20,000 men altogether out that night), and as I watched the different faces—some so young and boyish, others stern and determined—l could not help thinking as they marched on iu the fitful gaslight with their tramp, tramp, tramp, what a sad thing it would have been if they really were on their way to battle. The march was a great success ; the various companies, who had not the least idea when they started as to thenfixed movements, were well up to time, while the 'cyclists were in great force, acting as aides-de-camp, and this seems a good way of utilising the 'cycle for some really good purpose. The staff officers were stationed at Gospel Oak, and the 'cyclists kept shooting past us as they carried orders to and fro. I think, in case of any great emergency, Loudon would find her soldiers up to the mark, even on the shortest notice. Large crowds of people were assembled at different points and evinced great interest in the march, but the greatest order prevailed. That the men are always ready for duty was shown last week, when, the weather being so atrociously bad, it was optional whether they marched or not, but really all those under orders voluntarily came forward to carry out the proposed duties, and returned in the evening after a fifteen, miles' march, soaked to the skin and tired out, but in the highest spirits and as jolly as could be.

THE SEASON. Speaking of weather, we still have had no real winter, and my anticipated indulgence in snowballing and trying to fancy myself a child again has not come off yet. Vegetation is growing most wonderfully for England, considering the time of the year; but though it is very nice to have bright, clear, and comparatively warm days, it is not conducive to the health of the Londoners. Yesterday was so marvellously bright and springlike, Regent-street had a gayer appearance than it lias had for months. Carnages without end were passing to and fro, aud their fair occupants, as well as ladies walking, seemed to have unanimously added pretty bits of colouring to their costumes to enliven them up. A very pretty effect, too, was caused by the numerous lovely bouquets of flowers fastened on the inside of the dainty muffs earned by ladies instead of at the bosom. WATERLOW PARK.

One line clay I was tempted to pay a visit (not my first) to Waterlow Park, which is a favourite resort, especially in the summer, with all lovers of the picturesque. This park, though small in size compared with others in London, being only thirty acres iu extent, is one of the prettiest spots conceivable—what one may call a "cozy" park, for you can enjoy all its beauties without fatigue. Then It has great historical interest attached to it, for the house which stands on an elevated part of the grounds, and is now alas! used as a refreshment place, and occupied as well by gardeners and keepers, was once the residence of Nell Gwynne, .being bought for her by Charles the Second. It originally belonged to the Lauderdale family, from whom Charles purchased it, and the last possessor of it was Sir Sidney Waterlow, but his wife, Lady Waterlow, did not like living there, and also objected to hearing the adjoining cemetery bell toll when there was a death, so Sir Sidney, instead of cutting it up into building allotments, generously presented it to the Loudon County Council for a public park and resort. There is very little to see inside the house now, except one or two fine designs iu marble and carved woodwork, for whatever relics were in the rooms have disappeared, or have been ruthlessly painted over and spoiled by modern Vandalism, but the grounds aie lovely, so picturesque and prettily laid out. Of course my imagination always flies back to old times, and I think I seo Nell and the King, with the Court ladies and their attendaut gallants, wandering along the winding walks, sitting iu the alcoves dotted here and there, or feeding the swans, or whatever the occupants there were of the large pond in the centre. There, too, is the window where Nell Gwynne stood with her infant son in her arms, talking to King Charles in the garden beneath. She had repeatedly asked him what the child was to be called, but, either wilfully, or from carelessness, he had delayed naming it, and ouc day she stood by iha.t open window declaring she would

throw the child out if he did not give it a name there and thcu. Charles, believing she was really in earnest, exclaimed, " For Hod's sake, Nelly, don't." " I will," said Nell, "unless you do." So Charles cried out, "He shall be Duke of St. Albans,]' and from that time the baby boy took his place in the world as Charles Boauclerc, Duke of St. Albans ! Facing this house, and not far from Waterlow Park, is Cromwell House, where Oliver Cromwell once resided. It is rather singular that he and King Charles should have lived in houses so near together. I wonder how many of these dear old places will be left when another hundred years have passed away ! POLITICS. London just now is rather in a political ferment what with the opening of Parliament and the coming elections for the London County Council on March 3rd., and I have got slightly bitten with the prevailing epidemic myself." I was at a large meeting of the Conservative Association at Queen's Hall last Monday evening to hear the Duke of Devonshire's "address to his Conservative aud Unionist colleagues. The hall was crowded with ladies and gentlemen and during the half hour or so before the meeting we were treated to some capital music on the line organ belongingtothehall. When the Duke and his friends entered, "Rule Britainnia" was played, and the audience rose en masse, cheering vociferously, aud taking up the refrain of "Britons never, never, never shall be slaves" until the place rang again. The Duke aud Duchess of Devonshire are very popular members of Loudon society, noted for their genuine hospitality on all occasions, and the gatherings at Devonshire House arc unequalled in their splendour and perfection in every detail. The Duke is not what I call a fluent speaker, he is rather slow and weighty in his utterance, and has a slightly harsh voice, but still ho says what he has to say clearly and to the point. Lord Farquahar, a nice, pleasant speaker, was chairman; Lord Wblverton, the Earl of Hardwicke, aud others gave short and good addresses. The Conservatives and Unionists are wishful to obtain a system of more thorough municipal government for Loudou. They do not wish by any means to crush the London County Council, but they do wish to take away some of its present power aud increase local centres of supervision, lcaviug the L.C.C. to deal only with large questions which affect the welfare and improvement of the city as a whole, such as tramways, public parks, etc. As the Duke said: •' Parliament never intended when the L.C.C. was first formed that it should eventually become a small Parliament of itself, which it is certainly verging into ; it is (mite enough to have two Houses _ of Parliament without having a third taking matters in hand quite out of its own province. He was frequently interrupted with loud applause, and once the enthusiasm of some of his hearers in the back seats got so much the better of them, they broke out into " He's a jolly good fellow," which, being taken up by the gallery and not a few of the upper class, swelled into a regular chorus. At the close of the meeting there was such a rendering of "God Save the Queen," it did one's heart good to hear. Not contented with attending this meeting, I went to another held at the Northern Polytechnic Hall, aud, apart from its political aspect, it really was a most interesting and also instructive. It was in the form of a lecture entitled "London As It Should Be," given by a Mr Coussins, who is a very clever and well-known Conservative. He illustrated his address by exhibiting lantern views of London dating from the 13th century, showiug Loudon as it was, London as it is (with all the improvements), aud London as it should be if things were properly carried out. Mr Coussins is a splendid speaker, and has everything at his finders' ends. This meeting was not quite so orderly as the one at Queen's Hall, there being a greater number of the Progressive party present, who frequently interrupted, but no matter what point of objection was raised Mr Coussins had his answer ready and "squashed" his opponents every time. It was most amusing to watch the way he always turned the tables on them. For instance, when he was giving one illustration of some foolish act of the L.C.C, one rabid Progressive, who would not be quiet, called out derisively, "Bosh!" and as quick as could be Mr Coussins gravely said, " I quite agree with you, sir, it was great bosh on the part of the L.C.C. to undertake work they knew nothing about," which answer elicited cheers and laughter, and "shut up" his tormentor. The fact is, Loudon is so immense and its population so large, it is quite impossible for a body of men like the L.C.C. to supervise districts far, far away, the wants and capabilities of which they are quite ignorant of, consequently they depute other uninterested officials to look after things, who, on their part, entrust the work to others, so what with delay and useless expenditure there is no end of money and time wasted, whereas if the work required were controlled and contracted for by local enterprise and local men there would be great saving iu every way, and employment could be afforded to local mechanics and tradespeople, who are, in nine cases out of ten, far more competent than those sent out by the L.C.C. THE LATE ENGINEERS' STRIKE. Another thing too; the majority of the men composing that body are so radical in their opinions and so closely connected with Trades Unions, if the late Engineers' Strike had not ended so favourably for the masters as it did, the result would have been still more disastrous, for whatever tendency to socialism there may be it would have been greatly increased with such men iu office. Thank goodness ! that strike is now a thing of the past. Anyone who has been iu the habit of noticing things in Loudon streets for the last six months cannot help being struck with the marked difference between now aud what was the aspect during the time of the strike. Then you constantly would see groups of men slovenly in dress, looking sullen and discontented, blocking up the pavements, hanging about the public houses, and, money or no money, often stupid and half-drunk at all times of the day. Sometimes I have counted thirty and forty together, kicking their heels and looking "the personification of idle loafingism, but now though you meet the same class of men, what a difference there is in their appearance ! They maj r be in twos and threes, but they are hurrying along with a bright full-of-work look on their faces ; no groups clustered by public house doors like there was. I could not help thinking that Sunday night before work was resumed, with what feelings of thankfulness many a sad-hearted and almost despairing wife and mother must have laid down to rest that night, and how gladly sho would rise the next morning to get. "her man" his early breakfast before lie started to work once more. The accumulation of work has been tremendous, aud the firms have enough on their hands to keep men employed for the next year and a-half. Many large contractors stuck loyally to the English firms, aud preferred holding their work over rather than employ foreign labour, and indeed the demand has been so great since affairs were settled that many large contracts have had to be refused. Truly the men have learnt a lesson this time and will count the cost before they again allow themsclvcs to be led by the nose so foolishly.