The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-14
Eyes of All Statesmen To-
ward Berlin.
\
A Better Understanding Be-
tween England and Italy.
Queens Present to a Band Master
for His Th0ughtfulnesS.

copyrighted 1895, by The Associated Press.)
LONDON, March 14.-The eyes OF the
statesmen of this country, and, for that
matter, of the whole OF Europe, have
been turned toward Berlin during nearly
the whole week. There, it is believed,
the Dreibund has been solidi6ed and i'm
proved by better understanding with
Great Britain and to the great relief of
King Hum bert OF Italy, whose throne was
undoubtedly shaken by the defeat OF the
Italian army under General Baratieri, at
the battle of Asowa.
For society this has been busy and
excited week, and, with the mer-
cur registering go degrees, the
first drawing room of the season was
held on Wednesday at Buc. ing ham palace
by the Princess of Wales, in behalf of
the queen. who arrived. the same day at
Cimiez, near Nice. The spring sunshine
was delightful, in spite OF the glamour
OF light fog which can never be driven
away entirely from this metropolis, and
as the flowers are already blooming In
the parks, the turn out OF people desirons
of criticising the toilettes of the ladies go-
ing to and from the Drawing Room was
exceptionally large and more than ordi-
narily good humored. Society has also en-
joyed being present at or reading about
number of political evening parties which
have been largely attended during the
past week, ana 1t may bee said the week
selected is the middle OF the season in
stead of its beginning.
The departure of the Queen on Mo lday,
for the south OF France, has drawn forth
a pathetic account of the increasing fee
bleness OF Her Majesty. Ii is said that
she is evidently grieving greatly at the
loss Of Prince Henry of Battenberg,
who was never tired OF waiting upon his
,Nt E.ar- lasu md xEh al
sincere love for the aged sovereign. In
view OF condition OF Her Maiesty's heath,
much OF the usual state was abandoned
and she was carefully wheele1 on board
the royal yacht In specially constructed
chair. Upon arriving at Cherbourg there
was dense fog, which did not tend to
improve the Queens condition. The
gangways, IL was noticed, were decorated
with black and white flags, and by Her
Majesty's command all floral and other
decorations were removed. And so she
was escorted ashore, pathetic picture OF
woe, an almost heartboken woman
mourning her dead and seeming to take
but little interest in her surroundings,
the funereel aspects of which added con-
sidcrab bly, TO the depressing nature OF the
scene.
As special mark of respect to the
Queen the band master of one OF the
French infantry regiments in garrison at
But she would not allow 1t TO be played,
though she did not forget the band
masters thoughtfulness, as nice little
present, taken TO him by o1e of the gen.
tlemen in waiting, testified.
TEE decision arrived at by Parliament
this week, to allow the opening of museums
and art galleries on Sundays, has
afforded delight to the majority OF the
people and indicates a rapid change in
public sentiment on the subject. Ii was
only ten years ago that parliament reject
ed a similar motion by crushing major
ity and its action was upheld in most
quarters. But the determination TO open
the british and Kenslngton museums, the
national gallery, etc, on Sundays is now
received with general commentator,
which would seem TO indicate passing
away OF the stern conservatism which has
been feature of the british character for
generations.
The Ameer of Afghanistan seems to
have been pleased, all reports TO the
contrary, at the reception accorded
n re to his second son, NaZrulla Khan, for
he Is sending the queen 100, COO pounds
(S600, 000) worth OF gifts in charge OF
special envoy.
The Duchess of Marlborough formerly
Miss Consuelo Nanderbilt) did not at
tend the Queens drawing room, although
ii was announced that she would do so.
Instead, the young duchess remained i'm
Paris where she and her husband are the
guests of the Marquis of Dufferih, the
British am bassador, and where the Ouch
ess was one OF the guests invited TO meet
the Prince of Wales at luncheon while on
his way to the Riviera. The Duchess OF
Marlborough has a young Nubian as q
personal attendant living souvenir of
the recent visit Of the Duke and Duchess
to Egypt. The Nubian sleeps outside the
bedroom OF the Duchess at night and at
tracts considerable attention, even in
Paris, where colored attendants are not
rare.
st. Pauls Cathedr !, after having been
given the very cold shoulder by royalty
and the aristocracy for long time past,
is again becoming fashionable. The
Princess OF Wales, on Sunday last, oc-
cupied the Deans pew and the Duchess
of York, during the afternoon service
of the same day sat in the choir. Among
those present upon the occasion were the
United States ambassador, Mr.. Thomas
l.. Bayard, end Lord and Lady Wolsley,
who, prior to the service, bad been in
amen corner hearing the choir singing
glees.
Ii is reported that two new morn
ing Liberal pt my newspapers are to be
started shortly in this city, end it is also
said that Mr.. Henry J. &. Gust, formerly
editor OF The Pail Mali Gazette, IL soon
to preside over the destinies of a new af-
ternoon paper to be called the Mayfair
Gazette.
The bicycle boom is increasing in vol
ume daily In Great Britain. The leading
English firms IRE already completely
blocked with orders. Two'American firms
recently started doing business in London
with large stocks OF wheels and they are
reaping harvest. There are indications
that this boom will cause a question to
be psked in the House OF Commons. IL
Hat o 10 nd 81 In.
Hyde Park have cen interfering with
the biker's strip OF Rotten Row and the
friends oi the bike are desirous OF having
the strip of ground rallied OF for the ex-
elusive use OF wheel riders. The House OF
Commons has also been asked to have a
portion Of 81. Jares Park set apart for
the wheelmen anu with members Of the
House OF Commons hiking to Westminster,
cabinet ministers seen daily on the wheel,