The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1880-12-30
A QUEENS CAPRICES.
Victoria More OF n Social Figure in
Scotland Than in England----COm-
plants in London of Her Ways of
Conducting the Royal Household
New York Times.


London is beginning to get into win
ter quarters. Our royalties are return
ing to town, having had a gay time
over in Scotland and elsewhere When
in the Highlands her Majesty seems to
recover her old spirits and energy, and
to take an active part in promoting
the enjoyments Of all around. Sur
rounded by her family and many royal
and distinguished visitors, we read of
our Queen being present at gatherings
Of the clans, taking long drives to wit
ness Scotch festivals, and with all the
Balmoral party attending the Gillies
ball at Abergeldie. This, as it should
do, affords intense satisfaction, but it
suggests comparisons that when in
London, her Majesty does not go among
her people, but lives, as it were, seclud-
ed from them. Practically, our court
here consists Of the Prince and Pricess
of Wales, who, on behalf of the Queen,
hold levees in St. James, or. it may
be: one or two drawing rooms at Buck
ingham Palace. These, with a state
concert, constitute the royal entertain
ments. Her Majesty some seasons is
present at one drawing room. The
Prince and Princess Of Wales maintain
their royal state, and at Marl-
bourgh house are hospitable
to their friends. This however, falls
far short Of the requirements of the
fashionable world, and fails to give the
stimulus to trade and fashion which
are essential for a good season. Com
plants are loud and many that a great
er expenditure from the royal purse is
not apparent, and on more than one
occasion the question has been mooted
of the queen apportioning her revenue
to the prince of Wales to enable him
to adequately discharge those duties
the queen thus delegates. In some
one quarters this is sore subject. 4
marriage is announced as about to be
contracted between the Marquis of
Stafford, member of parliament, eldest
son Of the duke and duchess of Suther-
land, and Miss Hartford, daughter of
Mr.. William Hartford, of Baileywood,
near Wrington, Somersetshire. This is
a conclusive answer to those who af-
firmed that a second royal alliance
with a Scotch duke was in contem-
plation. The Princess Beatrice is not
to be thus disposed of. The royal mar
riage act passed in the reign of George
Ill.,, declares that "no descendant of
the body Of George H., other than the
issue of princesses married into foreign
families, is capable of contracting mat
rimony without previous consent of
sovereign, signiticd under the great seal,
and declared in council" 1t was felt
when the Marquis Of Lorne married
the Princess Louise that her majesty
should have given her royal sanction to
the marriage of her cousin: the duke of
Cambridge, SO as to confer due rank
on his family. This, however: has
been withheld, and very worthy lady
thus permitted to suffer from what
those who speak with knowledge re-
gard as caprice. The grand duke O
Hesse and his children are now here,
but he leaves this week for Darmstadt,
where he will find sympathetic COM
pany in the Princess Frederick Charles
Of Prussia and the widowed Princess
Henry Of the Netherlands. It is ru-
mored that we are to have court fes-
tivities, should there be winter ses-
sion; a change is also spoken Of, the
want Of which is pressing-an altera-
ton in the hour of social entertain
ments. Dinners are now held at $50
or9. The opera and chief theaters are
seldom over before midnight. 1t is
felt that this might be prevented with
benefit to all by some one setting the
fashion Of dining at least one hour and
a half sooner. I know not if midnight
l,.> 81 s.
those who seek "to practice their
witcheries," but London festivities are
from midnight till morn. The great
duke Of Wellington was anxious to
promote early hours, and in the spring
and summer held his levees at 7 o'clock
in the morning. He found the attend
ance numerous. The officers declared
the arrang ement most convenient, for
the Horse Guards and his Grace were
the wind up of their nights work.