New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-03-18

PERSONAL.
iBY CABLE TRIBUNEl
Copyright; 1883: Bp The Nee. York Tribune
LONDON. March THE great event at Berlin
yesterday reflected here. Flags everywhere
arc flying AT half-mast. Mufled peals were rung
from the churches during the hour of the func-
tiOn in the DOM and the great military and naval
stations each fired the regulation nincty-one guns
There numerous memorial services The
Queen and her Court, now at Windsor, attended
Simultaneous service In the private chapel, and
The customary office in Westminster Abbey in the
afternoon was given a mourning character. To
this latter the members Of the Legislature We're
invited, but the fact that morning sitting Of
the House Of Commons was being held prevented
many from attending, including the leading men,
hcrs of the Government. Dean Bradley spoke
briefly and impresSivcly the character of the
great captain deceased and made touching al
lusOn TO his stricken successor. But the address
not greatly above the commonplace, and the
subject has yet to find fitting mention here.
Bishop PeterbOro ought TO have given some ele-
walton to it on Sunday last, but he completely
failed Everybody has been regretting that Mr..
Gladstone was absent from his place in the Com
mons when the occasion presented itself for a
reference TO the late Emperor last Friday.
Yesterday. also. the Queen kept the anniver-
ssry of the death % her mother, the Duchess Of
Kent. visiting the mAusoleum In Windsor Park
after the service in the private chapel Two or
three weeks back the Prince of Wales in con-
ference with the Lord Chamberlain. somewhat
thoughtlessly fixed levee for yesterday. In
due course the Queens approval was sought Her
Majesty, who makes much Of certain death dates,
was Mortified the proposal. and showed much
indignation at the want Of taste exhibited in the
arrangement. OF course explanations were
promptly rendered and the function post
poned until to-day, only to be abandoned when
the fatal news arrived from Berlin at the end Of
last week. Until the period Of court mourning
expires the opening Of the London season. which
was Just upon us, will be postponed. The very
day after the court puts of mourning the
Prince of Wales viii hold a drawingroom
for the Queen, who Will be at Flor
ence. and in May Her Majesty will again be at
Buckingham Palace for the other two functions
of the same order. One of these will fall about
the anniversary of the coronation-the Jubilee of
the coronaGon-and will from this fact be more
than usually brilliant
The silver wedding festivities Saturday were
Infinitely formal and dull From breakfast until late
in the afternoon the Prince and Princess of Wales
had succession Of callers at Marlborough
House most of them in mourning though the
" Court Gazette" had not then appeared with the
order. The Queen with the Battenbergs made
a ccrcmonous call about to offer congratula-
tions, as You will have heard and certain select
people allowed to come in. in half dozen /
separate deputations, to offer presents. These |
latter were not numerous, considering the Oc- |
cason, and the most valuable were most un-
commonly ugly. The city corporation threw away |
n small fortune upon silver model Of the much
suspected Imperial Institute now rising at South |
kensingtOn and fifty ladies of title, acquainted |
with the royal pair, offered the Princess diamond
nocklet or tiara-t will serve for both-fasliOned |
On the model Of the famous jewel Of her Imperial
sister. the Empress Of Russia The form Of this
costly Offering is very much like the main bone
of a snake, and hardly SO tasteful in design rs
1ne would have wished; whilst the silver flag
given TO the Prince by his male ntimatcs have
absolutely nothing TO recommend them bat their
wei ght. They might be worth their price at the
lint.
Since the presentations were made little story
las leaked out which has It's amusing side. There
yas hot contest for the honor Of Offering the
liza mond tiara to the Princess. Two Marchionesses
we're the disputants, representing both sides Of
he great political controversy Of the hour. Is
{ an omen that the iIome-Isuler won About this
olks Will differ of course, but the Prime Minister'S
sife had TO give place to the celebrated Maria,
Va iarchlOness Of AesbuTy he present seems TO
rave been suggested by the dOwager, who also
collected the subscriptions. Apart from this, her
Igc and position in society naturally pointed her
,ut as a suitable person 10 head the deputation.
IN the other hand. the Marchioncss Of Salisbury
conceived that the wife of the Prime Minister had
he right of precedence in such matters, and pushed
Ter claim. When the ladies Themselves fearing
o give the Offering a political complexion, wisely
lecldcd against Lady Salisbury, there was much
5aeic rage in quarter which | need not more
cal MOI ffoD hQ mo a
Aiiesbury is an ardent admirer Of Mr. Gladstone,
md have we not been told by Lord Salisbury him
elf that Tories who respect themselves do not
odd converse with the Right Honorable gentle
nan d?
The dongs Of Parliament this week have not
ecn Of vast interest Mr.. Bradlaughs victory in
arryng the Oaths bill to second reading was,
owever, a remarkable personal triumph for a
narkable man. Chief among his supporters were
everal who most persecuted him five years ago In
luding Lord Randolph Churchill. OF the phalanx
f bigOts which in those days continually harassed
lr. Gladstone, only $50 went into the lobby
gsinst the bill and this in spite of the fact that
he measure is not confined TO Parliamentary ard
fiicial oaths, but gives the option to affirm
n any court Of Justice whatever. Time
ss brought its revenge TO Mr.. Bradaugh,
nd the spectacle OF an avOwed atheist
'eatlng the Torres WIN the hclp OF lhelr own
losure enough TO produce Homeiic laughter
I'm the gods themselves. At the same time 1t ,
must be said that the victory may end where 1t Is,
ince the Government can easily Jockey the bill
nto such position as to make its passage through
'arliament hopeless To-day the Tories explain
heir ridiculous position in this matter as an in
vitable consequence OF their alliance with Lord ,
darlington. But this is mere subtcrfuse.
The return of Mr.. Chamberlain has been followed
y Il rally OF the UnlonIst-Liberals at Devonshre
Iouse Joseph attended with his brethren ,
here is much secrecy 10 what passed, but very
iuch to Lord lIsrtingtons chagrin the majority ,
nnmnncod maInlr hx Mr Chamberlain. decided |