Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-12-09

Inere is tne usual amount Vi Specult-
ton as to the real object of the kings
visit to London, but little seems to be
really known about it. The usual report
that his journeying is connected with the
financial affairs of the Congo Free State is
uppermost and sly references are made to
his devotion to "Merodopold," otherwise
Mile de Merode, the most beautiful
dancer at the Paris Opera. The presents,
horses, carriages jewelry, etc, which the
gay king has bestowed upon the popular
dancer are said to have cost him small
fortune, and this is not his first escapade
of the kind.
1t is now reported that the Earl of
Derby, formerly governor general of Can
ada, is to succeed the Marquis of Dufferin
as British ambassador ut Paris, although
the name of Sir Philip Currie, the British
ambassador at Constantinople, is fire.
quently mentioned in connection with
that highly important post. Should the
report turn out to be correct it may safely
be said that the special qualification of the
Earl of Derby as a successor to the Mar
quis of Dufferin is his enormous wealth,
and it is no secret that the marquis is
greatly hamrered in filling the position
as it should be filled by the fact that he is
not wealthy enough to entertain, etc, to
the extent considered necessary.
Vanity Fair, commenting upon the stu
alton. says: Paris is the home of many
American millionares whose lavish sex-
penditures give them undue prominence
in Partisan society and the English resi-
dents and visitors dislike to see their rep
resentatiye play second fiddle to Mrs.
Passmore, Il Mrs. Davis and some other
wealthy Americans.
London Mattresses.
The way in which many London wait
resses are compelled to work was shown
during the week by che suit which girl,
Is years of age, has brought against the
proprietor of II coffee tavern for wrong.
full dismissal. She was discharged, it ap-
pears, for coming down from her room at
3 o'clock in the morning instead of 80,
and it developed that the girls never re-
tired until a. IN. For these 20 hours of
labor per day the mattresses were paid the
sum of So a month and We're glad to get it.
as many hundreds were ready to fill their
places if vacancies occurred.
Complaint is being made in the news
papers that the Duke of Norfolk, the post-
master general and recognized head of the
Roman Catholics of England, in sun.
pressing the Italian postal cards received
in commemoration of the liberation of
Rome, stated that the cards were So
Objectionable to the Vatican that the none
communicated all who received them or
aided in their circulation
Count Won Gutenberg the favorite of
Emperor William of Germany, has arrived
at Windsor castle from Berlin in order to
express the emperors sympathy at the
death of General Sir Henry Ponsonby. for
many years private secretary of Queen
Victoria and keeper of the privy purse. to
present her majesty with a copy of the
emperor's recent allegorical picture. and
also to arrange for his majesty's visit Mt
the time of the marriage of Princess Maud
of Wales to Prince Charles of Denmark
The king and queen of Italy are also ex.
pected to be present upon that occasion
The Prince of Wales will spend Christ
mas at Sandringham. Prior to that date
his royal highness will pay few DAYS,
visit to Lord and Lady Londsdale at Low
Their, and will afterwards accompany tho
princess to Windsor to attend the mo.
mortal service which is annually held at
Frogmore. Some time in January the
prince will go to the Riviera and bis
yacht, the Britannia, is now being nra.
pared for winter racing in the Meditcrra.
neap.
Mr.. Gladstone has definitely settled
upon Biarritz as the place where he will
spend portion of his winter holidays. He
Will start shortly after Christmas. which
will as usual be kept at Hawarden.
The First Fancy Dress Ball
OF the season was given at Covent garden
last Wednesday evening, and came as a
relief to the jaded young man about town.
The male frequenters of the ball are re-
eruited from the ranks which are generally
to be seen at the Empire in the evening |
and at the Continental hotel at midnight |
for supper. They include numerous stock
brokers and young officers in the guard |
and from the various regiments stationed |
at Aldershot. The women frequenters of |
the ball are, for the most part, rather fast |
actresses. although on Wednesday last |