Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-06-25
Queen V~IetorIR's DISItks for Society
u Habits OF SeeIusfOu.

S"eon csur.h.s Dislike Tor society
and Habits OF SeelusiOn.
London Cor. New York Times.l
Queen Victoria is beloved Of her peo.
pie, but she has done more thar all the
republican CLUBS and autiroyalits in En-.
gland, Ireland and Scotland to rob the
throne of its importance iu these latter
days of her brilliant reign. For many
years she has lived a life Of comparative
retirement, and whenever shs has come
out of it 90 some special mission OF her
regal office, she has laid aside the pomp
and pageRntry Of the royal station. Re-
Gently the nation was congratulated
upon her Majesty's return to society.
The Queen carried u the, details of this
brief return to society pressed upon her
by Lord Beacons6eld, but she has speed
lily tired OF it, aud left London to throw
OF royal cares, in her Highland home.
The Queen is very spariug Of her visit.
ing In London, but when she can get to
Scotland she is soon upon her Highland
pony, aud doing a round OF calls upon
the most humble of her subjects This
is all very well once 10 a way, thinks the
fashionable world Of London, but it is an
injustice to the metropolis, which Ian.
guishes year after year without the su-
preme head of society, and at the same
time it is not quite satisfactory TO the
populacs, for it shows them too plainly
that, after all, the country can get along
without a monarch.
There are uncomfortable rumors
abroad that the Princess OF Wales is not
on such good terms with her royal hus.
band as patriotic admirers of Princes
and Princesses could wish. The Prin.
cess of Wales is a favorite with all class.
es OF society in England, and it will 90
hard with the Prince if the people should
get 1t into their heads that he does not
treat her kindly. 1t is said that on his
recent journey TO the Mediterranean.
the Princess refused TO see his ROYAL
Highness, and | have every reason to
believe the story, | have certainly NY
self seen the Prince sitting by the aide
of bis wife for two hours together with
out once speaking to her, which does not
argue that genial familiarity that should
exist between a husband and wife, Not
thus did the Queen and Prince Albert
sit together at theatre or reception.
Moreover, at o theatre, even in the pres.
ence of his wife, the Prince is far more
intent upon watching some pretty wo-
man on the stage than in contributing
to the amusement OF his wife. His Row.
al highness is liked by his companions.
and has an agreeable manner; and it
was very pleasant to sec him with his
two cons at the Aquarium the other day.
But all this will not atone for shortcom.
ings in regard tothe Princess in the eyes
Of the generous people who welcomed
her a stranger in q strange land a dozen
years ago, ahd have ever since bsen 10y
al to her, never losing an opportunity to
show their devotion.
The unpopularity cf the Duchess Of
Edinburgh, only daughter of the Gear,
in England, arose chiefly out of reports
that she wished to take precedence oil
the Princess of Wales, but society has
not taken to her much, though she has
received marked respect and consider
alton wherever she has appeared. An
attempt to get up a sneer at her because
she weLt to the Russian Church in Lon
don to pray for the success Of her fathers
arms was promptly put down. She left
Buckingham Palace a few days ago for
her husbands Palace at Coburg, accom-
panied by Prince Alfred and Princesses
Marie and Victoria Melita Of Edinburgh.
1t is hard work to be a Prince and
lease everybody The Duke of Edin.
burgh is censured by social critics be.
cause be ia economical. They say he did
uot spend all the money which Parlia.
ment voted him for his colonial tour.
On the other hand, the Prince Of Wales
is much too liberal for some people, both
with his purse and his society.
The Prince Of Wales is taking a great
deal of trouble to promote the success of
the Paris Exhibition, and is evidently
bent upon distinguishing himself as Pres.
ident of the English section, and in this
he is following wisely and we'll 10 the foot
steps Of his illustrious father.