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Show CURRENT TOPICS IX EUROPE. England's Civil War. Impressions of Parliament. Ronroania's Qnccn, Etc EciiorK, April SI. Spcdal correspondence cor-respondence of Uie Desfket Xmvs. It Is only now, after a lapse of two centuries, that Uio minds of men seem capable of grasping the imports impor-ts nco of the events of tho Great Civil War of England In Uie seventeenth seven-teenth century. The numerous histories his-tories Uiat ha e been I iihlishcd concerning con-cerning Uiat epoch of English history his-tory plainly indicate the interest taken in Uie subject by both Catholic Catho-lic and Protestant, Churchman and Nonconformist. There liS.I Ki-n revolutions and popular uprisings ln Uie British Islands at various times, similar to those Uiat had occurred on tho Continent, aud had produced no permanent result; but It was during Uie wars of Uie seventeenth century tbat the British people developed de-veloped thpse traits of character that distinguish tho English-speaking people from all otheis. True His Uiat British constitutional liberty had been growing for centuries, but It had been ln a great part merely nguIiUons of land titles, priestly domination, or military duties. The Ume had come when Uie religious character of tbo islandeis was to find recognition in the fundamental law of tho land, and civil liberty in Uie British Islands became something some-thing essentially different from Uiat enjoyed in any oUier part of Uie world. "The Great Civil War Clarendon Claren-don calls it the great rebellion was to a certain extent Uie outcome of Uie Reformation. Since Uie downfall down-fall of Romanism tho English edition edi-tion of Uie Bible had become not only Uio most popular, but, as Green, the historian, savs. the onlv book about which every Britisher knew something. The consequence was that religion dominated dominat-ed politics. To thousands of the Puritans of which Cromwell and lilslronsidcs were but examples, the scriptures were Uio very voice of God to a careless generation. Those nhobclievcQ this were ready to die rather than Uiis voice should be silenced. The divine right of private judgment was tho gnat underlying un-derlying Idea of that time. Each Individual had the right to decide for himself. Nothing should be allowed to interfere with it neither parliaments nor armies nor sovereigns. sov-ereigns. This was the leaven that permeated Uie armies of Fairfax and Cromwell. Charles could not understand un-derstand Uie religious strength opposed to him. Itis tolhopressure of determined minorities Uiat all worthy reforms are still owing, and Uie use of force only renders the object ob-ject aimed at more difficult of attainment." The above quotation, taken from a work milled "The Great Civil War," by Mr. Samuel Gardner, may give a faint Idea of a work which ts well worthy a careful care-ful perusal by. both English and American readers. The present may be called Uie dull season of Parliament. One may look long over the empty benches in search of a "character." Practically Practic-ally there are only two persons in Uie House of Commons whose ap-Dearanee ap-Dearanee and peculiar wavs It Is worth tho while for an impressionist to study. These two are Mr. Gladstone Glad-stone and the O'Gorman Mahon. Mr. Gladstone, It would seem, is a life study. One never gets weary of him. He is one of the most picturesque pic-turesque of men. His mobile face, his gestures, his habits, the constant byplay of passion, and humor, and human interest of every kind of which he Is Uie centre, are a Joy forever. And then the O'Gorman Mahon who that has rfeii him can forget Uie duelist of fifty years ago, the handsome old giant wiUi his crown of waving white hair, his eccentric dress, hisunforgetable hat, his old-world minncrs and speech garnished with racy metaphors. that belong to tho days of Major Pendennis, half a century ago? Bright and Gladstone were lifelong friends of Uie O'Gorman Mahon and the latter is o stiff. It is touching to see the old men sometimes meet In lobby or cor-rldorand cor-rldorand exchange greetings. Both have that touch of courtesy which new seems Co be aying out with the clusc of tho century. Newspaper rejnrters dalm Uiat there is no fun in Uie House of Commons now-a-dajs. Everybody Is so respectable. The Irish members mem-bers arc all on their best behavior. They wear irreproachable coals and hats, and If you want to gain admission admis-sion to tbo gallery of Uie House they are Uie ones to apply to Uiat Is if you want to get in. (jueen ilizaueth of itoumanla is coming to England, and, of course, there is a flutterof excitement. Perhaps Per-haps some of our American liter-arica liter-arica wiU recognize her best by her nom-de-plumc of Carmen Sylva. Under this UUe she is more widely known than any woman on the continent. Both her poetical and prose works are widely read and some of her paintings adorn the Cathedral of her capital. Siie has established art schools, and encouraged industry by holding exhibitions in Koumania. She has taken part in philanthropic work.a nd founded Industrial schools, hospital?, etc The heart of her husband hus-band has safely trusted her, and, though she Is said to tike no part in politics, she is Uie king's trusted counselor on all matters. In the Russo-Turkish war she was with the Roumanian soldiers before Plevna as a sick nurse, and was so attcnUve tothewoanded soldiers that she received re-ceived the UUe of "Muma Ranltl-lor" Ranltl-lor" or "Mother of tho Wounded." When Uie war was over Uie army presented her with a silver statuette, representing her as giving a drink to a dying soldier, itis needless to add, that such a woman is popular. The"gTeat question now is If she and Stanley should land In England at the same Ume, where, oh! where would they find enough enthusiasm to give each one a proper reception at the same time? But I must stop this reverie. The bell Is ringing a letter from Uie West I am going heme. I have lingered long enongh In Europe I will lay down my pen. pack up my trunk, and be oQ for the land of the Uie West. Good bye, Old Europe, there Is a spot beyond Uie "raging canal" dearer to-me than the palaces pal-aces of kings and emperors. J. H. Ward. |