Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-09


undertaken too hurriedly TO admit Of any
official explanation. She started at a mo-
ments notice. accompanied only by a maid
and courier leaving her two daughters,
Princess Christian Of Denmark. and Prin-
cess Victoria on board the royal yacht at
Osborne without informing them whether
she intended to return OF not. The orgi-
nal plan Of their yachting tour included
visits to Athens and Crete, with view of
the betrothal OF Princess Victoria to Prince
George of Crete which project l hear has
collapsed owing to Princess Victoria's un-
willingness. The situation OF the two prin-
cesses is most awkward, and they forthwith
steamed for Genoa to meet Empress Fred
eric and Princess Henry Of Battenberg, who
are travelling to Rome. These four royalties
had consultation in the station masters
private room at Genoa, after which the
princesses returned on board the royal
yacht, while Queen Victoria was asked as
to what was to be done.
Curiously enough, the Prince of Wales
though at Monte Carlo. within few hours
rail of Genoa, does not appear to have
been concerned in the affair al all.
According to one story current in high
society at the Riviera, the Princess Of
Wales performance Is merely fresh
manifestation of eccentricity that has been
rapidly developing Of late, taking the form
as a rule of extreme restlessness. 1t is
borne in mind that her sister, the duchess
Of Cumberland, has been for many years
periodically mentally unstrung. On the
other hand, gossip from Copenhagen has it
that old King Christian, since the queens
death, has been steadily falling under the
influence of a Russian lady-in- waiting to
the late queen, and the princess was sum
of ne zil
to rescue her father from the tolls of this
siren The fact that the only attempted
official explanation of the princess uneX-
pected appearance in the Danish capital is
that she desired to congratulate King Chris
tian personally on his birthday only adds to
the mystery of the whole affair.
BnIks Bcttors Change.
This week an electric call board was
erected in the London Stock exchange to
replace the old system of waiter with
stentorian voice summoning the members
by name when wanted outside. For the first
two days the ordinary business was seriously
impeded by furious betting on the chances
of each number turning up. Considerable
sums were wagered until one member. de-
termined to put an end to the nuisance, ar
ranged with others outside that certain
sequence of numbers should be hoisted. The
scheme, simple as it was, succeeded so well
that several principal gamblers were
severely hit and scarcely consoled for being
duped so easily when their money was re-
turned and the transparent deception ex-
planned Betting on the electric call board
since then has been at discount.
Thomas Ellis, member OF Parliament and
chief whip of the liberal party. who died of
meningitis folio wing the influenza at
Cannes Wednesday, was son of Welsh
tenant farmer horn in a thatch cottage
and until ten ye ago spoke nothing but
Welsh "Iu my 'th.'' he said, "I regarded
English as fol gn tongue" His great
exertions for the form of the Welsh land
system, whitn in amy respecs is as bad
as the Irish, -on or him the tile of the
Parnen of tteaTh there is NOT the
slightest intellectual Temperament or per-
sonal resemblance between the two men
First School Teacher Ellis became secretary
to Sir John Drummer, the great alkali mil
lionaire who got him into Parliament. He
was appointed assistant whip by Gladstone
and when Lord Tweedmouth, then chief,
went into the House of Lords Ellis was TO
the surprise of every one, named as his sue
cessor in the Commons by Rosebery.
Chief whip is one of the most onerous,
difficult and important positions 1t Is
]
appointment, was always associated with a
high social position and usually wealth, as
( social influences are the most potent means
OF keeping English politicians in good humor.
Ellis appointment was the reversal of all
the old traditions and was not successful.
He was untitled for the position, its worries
undermined his naturally frail constitution
| and sent him prematurely to the grave. he
/ married only last year.
Grip stiI Prevalent.
! Grip still claims its victims by hundreds
/ in London, with the result that social func-
tions have been brought almost to stand
still George Wyndham, just appointed
/ financial secretary in the War department,
husband of Countess Grosvenor, and thought
! to be the handsomest man in the House OF
Commons, is lying dangerously i'll with
bronchitis. following an attack OF grip. The
wives of four cabinet ministers are ill, while
numerous members OF Parliament are among
its victims Mrs. Henry White has shown
some slight Improvement this week.
Sir Herbert Naylor Leyland remains prac-
! tically in the same condition. His throat
affection is showing no improvement, the pa
| tient being in a state of extreme debility,
which is very alarming to Lady Leyland
! The Blenheim Easter party was counter
manded at the last moment owing to the
prevalence of the epidemic and the illness
of several intended guests. The duke and
duchess of Marlborough have spent Easter
| in Paris instead of Blenheim, and the
duchess is being occupied good deal of the
| time augmenting her wardrobe at Worth 5,
Paauins and Gustave Beers. She is look
| ing rather delicate and Is seen dining most
nights at the Ritz with Countess de Grey
while the other evening Lady Randolph, on
| a hurried visit TO Paris in connection with
her new quarterly, was Of the party. Mrs.
| Mackay Mrs. Pierpont Morgan, Mrs. Arthur
! Paget, Mrs and Miss Goelet, Lady Lister
| Kaye and Miss Yznaga are also in Paris at
| present, but most of them, the influenza
withstanding, will return for the London
season next week.
The Goelets' effects have been moved into
| Wimborne House, but the Bradley Martins
| and son have gone across to New York for
few weeks stay before taking up their resi-
dence at their new house in Chesterfield
Gardens. BY the way, some disappointment
has been expressed at the intimation that
the duchess OF Marlborough does not propose
to entertain on a large scale at Arlington
! House, as the ball room is not spacious
| enough to give big dances or receptions.
KNIFE AT GENERALS THROAT
! Timely Assistance Saves Cars Aide
ta-Tnmn I'm nm AttacE