The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-01-05
"wAR urox rlIE poEhs.'



plsA0REgAmE RELATIONS BETWEEN HER
ROYAL HuHNEss ixD LADY MACEDONIAN.
The determination OF Princess Louise TO
spend the winter In Bermuda was serious
disappointment to the Canadian people,
and has been the subject Of considerable
comment. The trades-pcople OF Ottawa
are very indignant. as they expected 10
reap rich harvest from the gay season IN
the capital; and throughout the Dominion
her Royal Highness has been severely crit
icised for throwing away chance 10 make
the country popular with the Old world.
The general impression ~ that she objects
TO nssociating with the plebian society IN
which she Is thrown. But 1t appears that
the popular understanding does her great
injustice. According to an Ottawa letter
In the New York Times she refuses to re-
main In That city "because OF the repug-
nance which she entertains toward Lady
Macdonald, wife OF Sir John A. Macdonald,
Premier OF the Dominion"
1t IL further stated. says the TinaeS'S let
ter, that the result OF the general elections
In June last was extremely disappointing
to her Royal Highness, who hoped that
Sir John Macdonald's government might
be defeated and Lady Macdonald's domi-
nation over society circles shus brought to
an end.
The Marquis OF Lorne and the Princess
Lo,,isc arrived la Canada In November,
1873. Sir John A. Macdonald had then
lust been returned TO power by IN over
wheiming majority. He and his friends
had been for five long years in opposition,
and were disposed TO exercise their new
ly-ganed power to the utmost de-
gree. Sir Johns government Is one OF
almost purely personal rule. His Will Is
law in all party councils as we'll asnt the
Executive Board. He selects for his col
leagues usually men OF lliable nature, who
are never great sticklers for matters OF
principle, and these he rules absolutely.
lie feels that without him his party could
not exist an hour, and that his followers
are under greater obligations to him than
he Is TO them. Lady Macdonald, who has
been cruelty described as ga large mascu-
linelooking woman, with wart on her
cheek" partakes largely OF her husbands
feelings and ambitions, and seeks to
rule In society rs Sir John does In poll
tics. When the Princess was installed as
mistress of Rideau Hall 1t soon became
evident that Lady Macdonald was anxious
| TO manage" her. She sought to monop-
ollie more than an ordinary share OF the
Princess's attentions, and endeayored to
thrust her personality into everything con-
nectcd with Rideau- Hall affairs. 1t is even
stated that she went so far rs to advise the
Princess I'm the matter OF selecting her
personal friends. Her Royal Highness,
although rcputed to be OF most amiable
temperament, is possessed OF all the Guelph
dignity. and promptly resented what she
thought to be an unwarranted interference
with the affairs Of royalty, even coming,
as it did, from a Prime Minister'S wife,
and gave Lady Macdonald to understand
| that there was limit to her forbear-
ance. Lady Macdonald, however. was
not 70 be so easily beaten upon her
own ground, and on all public occasions
took care 10 appear more prominently, II
possible, than the Princess herself. Having
plenty OF patronage at her disposal, she
easily kept on hand n retinue OF admirers
and flatterers. She was destined, however,
soon to receive q severe snubbing. One
evening when her Royal Highness was "at
home" Lady Macdonald appeared on the
scene with her usual beyy OF personal
friends. There were not many others
present, but among these was pretty
French Canadian lady, the wife OF sena-
tor. To this lady the Princess Louise was
particularly attentive, Entering into con-
veisation with her in French, she soon
grew quite interested, for the sena-
tors wife, besides being young and
comely, was well educated, and
had travelled in Europe. Neither
Lady Macdonald nor any Of her friends
understood word OF French. and it Is
easy to imagine how Inundated they felt
as the conversation proceeded. Finally,
they took their departure in high dudgeon.
The goodness between her ladyship and
the Princess had therefore eliminated in
IN open rupture. and the former was pos
sessed OF sufficient power to make mat
tiers often exceedingly unpleasant for the
| Princess. Thus matters continued during
the winter and summer of 1879. Disagree
BILE gossip regarding the relations between
| the Marquis aud the Princess, which soon
peryaded all the Canadian cities, was
thought TO emanate from 6tadacona Hall,
the Prcmier's seat.
Lady Macdonald's ambition Is far from
satisfied. Having driven the Princess out
Of the field, she aspires to become mistress
OF Rideau Hall herself, and with that end
in view has, through her agents, started an
agitation In favor Of her husbands appoint
ment TO the Governor-Generalship Seye-
raj Canadian newspapers have been In
duced TO publish articles in support Of Sir
I Johns candidature, and it Is believed that
the agitation which Is now being openly
conducted in his favor is not without his
consent.
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