The Topeka state journal., 1897-12-17
THEY MAKE UP.
Duke and Duchess of Portland
Are Entertaining
The Prince and Princess of
Wales at Welbeck Abbey.
1T is THE FIRST TIME.
Since the Famous Baccarat
Scandal at Tranby Croft.
The Prince Has at Last SWal-
lowed His Grudge.
1T is THE FIRST TIME.

London, Dec. 17.-If the departure of
the Prince and Princess of Wales and
their children for Welbeck Abbey,
where they are to stay as the guests of
the Duke and Duchess OF Portland un-
til the end of the week. attracts more
attention on the part Of the public than
is usually accorded to royal visits Of
this kind, it is because of the bad blood,
which has been shown on several Occa-
sions, between Jumbo" as the young
duke is named, and his future sOver-
eign. the most sensational of all their
quarreIs having taken place in connec-
ton with the beautiful Countess OF
Warwick, formerly LADY Brooke.
Indeed had It not been for the atti-
tude of the Duke of Portland toward
that lady, the unSaVOry baccarat scan
daI, which did such incalcUIa bic harm
to the prestige and reputation of the
prince, would never have taken place.
or the prince, having promised that
year TO stay at Welbeck Abbey for the
Doncaster races, sent as usual the list
OF men and women whom he WISHED TO
be asked TO meet him TO the Duke OF
Portland. The latter finding that the
prince had included the name of Lady
Brooke in the list. Immediately intimat-
ed to his future king that under no cir
Gums IafceS could either the duchess or
himself consent TO receive Lady Brooke
at Welbeck- Greatly irritated. the
prince at once informed the duke that
come to WeIbeck himself and that his
visit must be considered as off
Hearing this, Mrs Wilson. of Tranby
Croft, at once sent the prince to assure
him that she would only be too de-
lighted to receive Lady Brooke and any
other guests he might ike to bring.
and that the country seat at Tranby
Croft was every bit as convenient for
the races as WeIbe-k AccOrdiuzIy the
prince went to Tralby Croft. Lady
Brooke being prevented at the last min
ute from accompanying him by the sud
den death OF her father.
1t was during this visit at Tranby
Croft that one Of the princes party.
Sir William Gordon Cumming was
charged by members of the Wilson
family with cheating at cards the
scandal eventually finding its way into
the courts here. with the result that the
prince was called upon to take his
place II the witness box and to give
evidence against his lifelong friend. as
we'll as 10 admit that ne was in the
habit of travelling about the country
with a complete baCoarat layout
among his baggage just as il he had
been a professional gambler.
The prince has always borne a grudga
TO the Duke on this account while il is
equally certain that the queen and the
Princes OF Wales have each OF them
keen grateful to the Duke and Duchess
OF Portland Tor having had the courage
and Independence to make a stand
against the princes persistent patron
age of the fair countess, who is the OBJ
princess and Of her daughters
Then. Toe. the duke alone of the I
younger generation of peers has per [
SistentIy refused either to accept the 7
advantage or to follow the lead of his I
future king in matters connected with 4
his personal behavior and social con-
duct. and induced his tall and stately !
young duchess TO start, in conjunction |
with the ultra-excIusive Countess of [
COWper. society with the aVOWed OBJ |
ject of improving the moral tone of
@llH Il
discriminate admission of parVenueS. !
both native and foreign and to put a /
stop to that Vulgarlty of extravaganza /
IN matters pertaining TO amusement.
which are SO characteristic of that |
smart circle that revOlves around the |
prInce- In one word. it is a society or
ganized with the avOWed object of
counteracting the harm done by the ex- |
ample and preceDt Of the prince
The duke, IL may be added. is one of !
the few Tsers of the realm who, by
reason OF his rank. his wealth and his /
immense territorial influence. can af-
ford to run counter to TIE behests of his /
future king. and to disregard the favor
or MS royal n5SlleSS with IrnpunIty- 1
Nothing that the prince can do or say
can possibly Increase or diminish the
influence which the duke exercises in !
political. as well as in social matters.
TIE principal feature Of Welbecx Alb /
bev. where The duke and duchess are
now entertaining the prince and priu-
cess. are the underground GDartrCa1ts
built by the late Duke of Portland. WHO
was afflicted with a painful and repul-
sive ailme1t which gave him an intense /
dislike to beng seen by any one. espec-
iaIIy strangers It was his idea that
these subterTanean apartments. which
comprise an immense picture gallery.
Il vast library u banquet hail and the
largest riding school in the country.
would AFFORD him variety which he
could not otherwise enjoy. The Eresent
duchess has taken great fancy TO
these apartments and in spite of their
underground character. there are
thanks 10 the decoration. the electric
lighting arran ngeEe1ts. tie heating and
TIE ventilation. the most bright and
cheerful rooms in the house.
Like Lord RCseEery. the duke has
twice won the Derby. and he is in the
habit of deECti1g his entire winnings
family may be said to owe the origin
of its wealth and rank to smallpox
For when kink William III was pros
trated with q particularly acute form
OF the malady the doctors dec are1 that
nothing could bring out the eruption
contact with another human body
Hearing this. ore OF his Eages of tha
name of BeEtiuclz. the peluiIass sion
Of an unimpOrtant family of the Dutcl
nobility cIasDed the king IN his arms
AID saved him from death n the man
ner Indicated by the physicians. Tre
paEe subsequently was lad low BY tn
same uaIadv. which cost hin the sight
Of an eve and all his good looks
But the king never forgot this ZaaI
proof of devotion ana loyalty The page
became rot only favOrite. but IkeWIse
ferred uDe1 hin Ect C1Iy ire ~~fl s1
Dukedora Of Portland bus HkeWise
great grants of land. besides nuraerol as 4
hOnOrs and dignitles- Today the Duke