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Queen’s Speech and the spun-out debates on the
measure for the Repression of Crime in Ireland
(which the Government will have, however, to
modify considerably more, to disentitle it alto-
gether to the stigma cast upon it by the
Opposition of being a ‘‘ Coercion Bill’).
* * * *
With regard to the other Parliamentary per-
sonages portrayed, it may be said. that Mr.
Joseph Biggar has rather hidden his rhetorical
light under a bushel since he coquetted rather
more closely than was agreeable to him with
Home Rule—in a memorable Breach of Promise
case; Mr. II. L. W. Lawson, M.P. for West St.
Pancras, though one of the youngest of our
legislators, is cne of the most promising, and has
identified himself with what may presently be a
“burning question’’—that of the enfranchise-
ment of town leaseholders—besides being a
Gladstonian who, while strongly in favour of -
Home Rule, is yet discreet enough to promptly
discountenance the lawless utterances of Mr.
Davitt: witness Mr. Lawson’s seasonable letter
to Monday’s Standard. Mr. Mundella, albeit a
prominent figure on the front Opposition bench
as a Gladstonian, has not. of late been distin-
guished for mach beyond vociferousness. His
portrait speaks for itself.
. MR. GLADSTONE
WA
Mr. Gladstone may well feel proud of the
magnificent greeting, hearty and enthusiastic,
accorded to him.on his journey through Wales
from Hawarden to Swansea on Thursday, the
Second of June, crowned as the warm welcome
was by the fervent and earnest cheers of the
thousands on thousands who shouted in honour
of this truly ‘‘Grand Old Man” in and near
Swansea. One of the brightest pens of the
Daily News picturesquely brought home to us
the Welsh fervour of the series of Gladstonian
demonstrations. ;
-. THE JOURNEY ~
by rail of, Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone, accompanied
by the Rev. Stephen Gladstone, was first described.
by the Daily. News Correspondent as a series of
lively triumphs. The first stop was niade’ at
IN soUTH
«
See “ Mr. Gladstone and the Oyster-Woman.””
A SOUTH WALES FISH-WOMAN.
.
Wrexham, where avery brief speech wasdelivered.
Then came Oswestry, where the station was
crowded to excess, and where Mr. Stuart Rendel,
M.P., joined the train. There Mr. Gladstone
again spoke, the general tenor of his speech—as
indeed of all his speeches—being that in helping
Ireland the Welsh would help themselves. There
was a great demonstration at Newton. A special
platform had been erected outside the station,
and Mr. Gladstone was induced to leave the
speech gud tie train once more steamed on. The
proceedings were similar at Rhayader, at Tal-
garth, and at Merthyr-ydvil. At Neath repeated
attempts were made to get Mr. Gladstone to
speak but he refrained. One gentleman appealed
for ‘only one word,’’ whereupon the right hon.
gentleman replied ‘‘ God bless you, Sir!’”’ aud in
aminute the train was out of sight. Swansea
was. reached at a quarter-past.seven. Mr,
Gladstone was met by his host, Sir H. Vivian,
and others, and a bouquet was presented to
Mrs. Gladstone. As soon as the right hon.
gentleman descended to. the. platform, Mr.
Abraham, M.P., led off ‘‘The Land of My
lathers,”’ and the air was taken up by the vast
crowd,. Rain was still falling heavily, and Mr.
Gladstone at once proceeded to the carriage in
waiting and drove away. Altogether some 164
miles were traversed, and the time occupied was
seven hours.
SINGLETON ABBEY,
the charming seat of Sir Hussey Vivian, near
Swansea, and the house at which Mr.. and Mrs.
ladstone had the pleasure to stop during their
visit to South Wales, is depicted by our Artist.
It will be seen from our Engraving that it is a
delightful abode. Of its comforts the Prince and
Princess of Wales are able to speak, their Royal
Highnesses having stayed there on the occasion
of their memorable visit to open Swansea Docks.
Sir Hussey Vivian, who was created a Baronet by
Mr. Gladstone in 1882, sat in the House of
Commons for thirty-five years, and is highly
respected both at St. Stephen's. and in, the
Swansea district.
The grounds of Singleton Abbey are at present
in the loveliest form of early summer beauty.
Fine laburnum hangs its golden chains over the
very lodge gates, and the turf on either side of
the avenue of approach to the house is azure with
a carpeting of the wild hyacinth where it is not
aglow with clumps of primroses. Rhododendrons
warm the heads of the shrubberies, and rabbits
scuttle among the ferns, scarcely, taking the
trouble to escape. when’ the footstep of man
crunches the gravel or treads the sward.’ Between
the trees from the windows of the mansion on the
terrace facing the south peeps may be had of the
bay and the picturesque rocks beyond Oyster-
mouth. ' The house is a delightful structure of
saloon in order to let the crowd have a look at| turrets and gables, sufficiently weather-stuined
him. A number of-presents were made and
addresses handed in, all of which were briefly
to pass for more age than it can chronologically
claim. A sketch of Singleton Abbey would not
acknowledged. Llandiloes was the next stopping | be complet¢ without a reference to a remarkably
place, and here again Mr.. Gladstone left ‘the
train. More presents, more addresses, a short
rich collection of old armour, paintings, and
curiositics inside the house, anda number of
oS
SIR HUSSEY VIVIAN’S SEAT, SINGLETON ABBEY, VISITED BY MR. GLADSTONE.
esate