The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-12-26
LONDON CHRISTMAS
Capital Deserted By the
Smart Set Who Flee
to Their Country
Seats.
FAMILY PARTY AT sANDRTNGHAM
Royal Gifts Irish Taxation to Be
Discussed in the Next Parlia-
mentary Session.

I - "
/ LONDON, Dec. &C. lSss.-The rains that
threatened to make Christmas day a
dreary festival so far as outdoor enjoy
nent went passed away yesterday morn
IEsng and the day was fine ard mild.
Everybody appeared to be thankful for
| the change in the weather, particularly
| the theatrical and music hall managers,
| for though they were certain Of there
being good Christmas attendance at
their places of amusement, they well
knew that downpour of rain would eff
| feet a material reduction in their re-
ceipts- Nearly everybody who had a
chance to leave the city did so, going to
various county seats where they formed
part of the family parties gathered to
celebrate Yule tide. Most of the leading
men in political life put all thought of
affairs of State behind them and hied
residences or to houses where they had
been invited to spend Christmas. Prime
Minister Salisbury spent the day at Hat
fed House, his home in Hertfordshires
where there was only small family
party, owing to the fact that the
Marchioness of Salisbury is still ailing.
Lord Salisbury and his wife viii start
for the Riviera on January Z, where his
Lordship will remain until the opening of
Parliament.
The Duke of Devonshire, President of
the Council, entertained a number of
guests at Chatworth House, in Derby
shire.
The Rt Hon. A. J. Balfour, First Lord
of the Treasury and Government leader
in the House Of Commons, is spending
few days at Whittingham, Scotland,
and the Rt. Hon. Joseph Chamberlain
Secretary of State for the Colonies, is at
his home. Higbury, Moor Green, Bir-
mingham.
During the Christmas holidays the
Prince and Princess of Wales are enter
tanning at Sandringham only the Duke
and Duchess Of Fife princess Louise)
OF Wales and Others Immediately within
the family circle. The Princess of
Wales was at Marlborough House. her
London residence, until Monday last.
She was actively engaged in shopping
in company with her daughter, Princess
Victoria. and Prince Charles Of Dem
1nark Most of their purchases were
Christmas presents, OF which they
bought very large quantity.
The Queen has received her usual
Christmas present of a Boar's head from
her grandson. the German Emperor. His
Majesty also sent two immense hampers
Of German cakes and CONNECTIONS.
The Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
the Duke of Edinburg) has sent to his
mother a number of cases of wine and
sweetmeats. The Queen, although now
practically total abstainer from in
toxicating drinks, takes a glass of wine
on special occasions, such as Christmas.
Princess Beatrice princess Henry of
Battenberg) is passing the holidays with
the Queen, her mother, at Windsor Cas-
tie. as are also the Duke and Duchess
of Connaught. thenMarquis and Mar
chioness of Lorne, and the Duchess of
Albany
Reference was made in this cable cor
respondence last week to the fact that
Mr. John Dillon would move an amend
ment to the address in reply to the
Queens speech at the opening of the COM
ing session of Parliament, regarding the
question of the financial relations be-
tween Great Britain and Ireland. 1t
was then stated on high official authority
that nothing would be attempted by the
Government to remedy that most sub
stantiaI of IRISH grievances until the
Irish Local Government bill was intro
duced. Official opinion in this respect
still remains the same. But official opin-
ion Is not always final, and though the
Cabinet Councils have completed their
Legislative programme for the session
excluding any important Irish measure