OMINOUS INDEED!
All England, that reads the newspapers, will have felt the shock of a truly—
"Terrific Explosion—Yesterday evening an explosion of a frightful character occurred at Gladstone's Cartridge Factory, Greenwich Marshes, by which a large number of girls have been seriously injured."
Considering for what Constituency the Premier is Member of Parliament, the majority of people cannot but be, momentarily at least, startled and taken aback by the information in the first place that Gladstone has a Cartridge Factory in Greenwich Marshes, and, secondly, that it has been the scene of a terrific explosion. Nor certainly are they likely to be re-assured by the further intelligence that:—
"A few weeks ago the Government seized 365 cases of ball cartridge, each containing 20 lb. weight, which had been manufactured by Mr. Gladstone for the French Government during the late war."
The obvious suggestion conveyed by this statement is, that there has occurred not only a terrific explosion in the borough of Greenwich, but also a not less alarming blow-up in the Cabinet. Absit omen!