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LONDON LETTER. —o

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LONDON LETTER. —o (MMMf OUR LoNDON CORRESPONDENT.) SnCIAIXT WIRED. LONDON, Sunday Night. AIIIBMAT10N FOR VOLUNTEERS. The party in favour of the abolition of religions teats have secured another victory, which seems to have missed attention, for the reason that the announcement has been hidden away in tbe army orders with the mass of uninteresting details which are constantly being issued. In the future, volunteers on enlistment will, if they state that they have conscientious objection to take the oath, be allowed to affirm instead. So far this applies only to auxihary forces, but there can be no reason for not extending the liberty to the regular forces. In fact, to be logical, this should be done at once. BIB QEOBOE RESIGNATION. The action of Sir George Chetwynd in sending In his resignation to the Jockey Club has relieved that august and autocratic body from a somewhat awkward predicament. One well-known writer on sporting matters observes to-day that it is public opinion, and not the award of the arbitra- tors, that has compelled Sir George Chetwynd to resign his membership of the Jockey Club, and bal also compelled the club to accept it. At yesterday's meeting an awkward question was raised as to what action was to be taken with other people whose names were mentioned in con- nection with the Chetwynd-Durham case. No definite reply was given, and it is the general opinion tbat the reforming zeal of the turf authorities will be short-lived. They have not been so pleased with the result of their first attempt that they will again care to stir up a hornet's nest about their aristocratic ears. ABSOLUTISM AT HATFIELD. If the Shah wants an object lesson on the con- sequences of the English land system, he cannot do better than study the circumstances of the village outside the park gates of Hat- field, where he has gone on a visit to the Premier. It is a matter of ancient history how difficulties were thrown in the way of tbe construction of the Great Northern Railway, which runs through a portion of the estate. More recently the in- tolerance witb which the local Wesley ana were treated has made the name of Hatfield known in anything bnt a favourable connection. But a look at the village itself, mean and moribund as it is, shows at a glance the evils of the absolute owner- ship of the soil, which checks enterprise and prevents communities from continuing their natural growth. With such railway facilities as it possesses, and within such easy distance of Lon- don, Hatfield ought to be a thriving suburban town, like many other places within twenty or thirty miles of town, where the ownership of the soil has been divided, or where the landlord has taken a more enlightened view of his responsi- bilities, and bad a better realisation of what was to bis own advantage. THE DELIGHTS OF THE SHAH. In the book recording bis impressions of his previous visit, the Shah expressed bis wonderment at the acrobatic performances which he witnessed. Ins probable, therefore, a set design that trapeze performances and other daring feats enter largely into the programmes provided for his amusement. This is not the most intellectual kind of pleasure, but as be cannot understand our music or drama, it is perhaps the best that can be provided at a abort notice to keep his Majesty in good humour. Judging from his appearance, his "duskiness" enjoyed himself immensely at the Crystal Palace last night. The shareholders in that unfortunate concern would like a Royal visit every day in the week. Nearly 50,000 half-crowns were taken for admission yesterday. The way in which the police are con- stantly blocking the traffic along the route his Majesty takes in his drives abroad is becoming an intolerable nuisance to the business part of the public. The Prince of Wales also will not be sorry to be relieved this week of the duty of dancing attendance. Whether it were owing to the grants to tbe Prince's children which have been applied for or to some other reason, it was noticeable that the presence of the Princess Louise and the Earl of Fife did not excite that demonstration which might have been expected. THE DOVEB VACANCY. Unless Sir Hercules Robinson can be persuaded to come forward, it is not probable, I am told, that there will be a contest at Dover. The local Liberals are anxious for a fight, but in other quarters it is thought that under present condi- tions the Liberal candidate would fight at a Berious disadvantage. The time is so short, and the local organisations so imperfect, that it is considered better to defer the struggle to the general election. Mr Leveson Gower, the nephew of Earl Granville, would make a capital candidate in many respects, but he is too indisposed at present to be brought out. THEATRICAL MATINEES. No less than nine or ten theatrical matinees, at most of which new pieces will be tried, are down for this month. For this week the most interesting engagement will be the matinee benefit to Mrs Stephens at the Shaftesbury on Tuesday. Mrs Stephens is one of the most popular old women both en the stage and in the colloquial sense. That we have her as Mrs Willougbby in The Ticket-of-Leave Man will fix the traditions of the part for many years to come. To-morrow a new comedietta, entitled The Beggar, by F. W. Broughton, will be produced at the Strand, Mr Broughton, who came up from Yorkshire some years ago, has written several good things—so good, indeed, that more than ordinary interest attaches to the new piece. Another play of Ibsen's, Pillars of Society, will be produced at the Opera Comique on the occasion of little Miss Vera Beringer's benefit on the 16th instant. HONOURING SIB KOBELL MACKENZIE. It was almost impossible, at tbe dinner in aid of the Hospital for Diseases of the Throat, which was held at the Hotel Metropole last night, to avoid some reference to the controversy which raged so furiously around the case of tbe Jate Emperor Frederick; but the remarks on the sub- ject were studiously general, and Sir Morell, in reply, carefully refrained from going over the lines of the old professional dispute. Next to the music, the feature of the evening was the presentation to Sir Morell Mackenzie, on behalf of the singers and actors of London, of a valuable testimonial in recognition of the famous physician's kindness to all members of the pro- fession, who are naturally susceptible to diseases of the throat, and to whom loss of voice means loss of bread. Sir Morell# through his son, is directly connected with the stage, and has long been known in the dramatic world as a "very present help in the time of trouble. Speaking of the singing, to which a dozen distinguished artistes contributed, is it not possible to devise programme something less lugubrious than the ordinary run of such entertainments ? Speeches about disease and songs about death were not calculated to make a cheerful evening, but the dinner made amends, and tbe company apparently enjoyed themselves. AN JKPOKTANT APPOINTMENT. The London County Council on Tuesday will proceed to tbe appointment of one of its most important officers, namely, that of consulting Bngineer. The choice will be made from m tbe following:—MrF. E. Duckham, civil engineer, Mill wall Docks; Mr J. Gordon, borough surveyor, Leicester; and Mr A, R. Bunnie, borough engineer, Bradford. How the final selection will go is at present very difficult to prophesy, but as the late engineer to the now defunct Metropolitan Board of Works, Sir Joseph Bazalgette, was chosen because be was a London engineer of general knowledge and intimate experience of metropolitan requirements, it is suggested tbat the county council are very likely to select the London man in preference to his two provincial antagonists. THE BOYAL NUPTIALS. The announcement that tbe marriage of the Princess Louise of Walflg was to fcake place at such an early date .„ the 27th instant, which was received with incredulity, is officially confirmed. If the arrangements for the visit of tbe Shah are strictly adhered to, the Queen will not be able to be present at the ceremony, which would be unfortunate in tbe case of her first grandchild married in this country, for the same date bas been fixed for the reception by her Majesty of the Shah at Osborne. The Queen goes to the Isle of Wight this week.

GREAT STRIKE IN STAFFOrnRE…

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