The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-12-23
ENGLAND TO HAVE
MERRY CHRISTMAS
An Unprecedented Round of Gaiety
in the Country Pieces.
THE REVIVAL OF OLD CUSTOMS.
The Queen and Her Family at Os-
Dornc-No Hope in Sight
for Mrs. Florence
1Jaybrick.
THE REVIVAL OF OLD CUSTOMS.
rr Associated Presa }


LONDON. Dec. 22.-There will be a 111er.
nv Christmas III England, though, i'll con-
sequence, London is already one of the
duiest spots in the United Kingdom. The
fashionable world has incontinentiy de-
serted the metropolis and sought refuge
in the country places. ihere Will be
such a round of house-parties as has been
unknown for several years. They will be
accompanied by the revival OF the queer,
old customs which, a century ago, made
the season the occasion for unrestrained
merry-makins among rich and poor alike.
It would seem that those who are able
to celebrate. realize the necessity for de-
tracing public attention from the events
in South Africa
QUEEN AND FAMILY.
At Osborne the Queen viii be Surround
ed by the Duke and Duchess OF York, the
Princess of Battcnberg and several Of her
grandchildren AT Sandringhanl the
Prince of Wales will entertain the Duke
and Duchess of Fife and their children
with royal Christmas trees. Welbeck Alb
hey, Bienhem Palace, Hatfield House and
all The stately homes Of Englands aris-
tocracy are filling up with scores Of
guests prepared TO make the most Of
YUletide. Balls, amateur theatricals and
entertainments without end have been
arranged. conspicuous among which is
the old English custom Of u dance III the
Servants Hall.
At the Duke and Duchess Of Devon
shirGs. Ear and Countess Spencers, the
Marquis and Marchioness of London
derry'S and other places, of the nobility,
Christmas eve will be marked by the
strange spectacle of buffers dancing with
ducheSses footmen with countesses, and
groOmS with the daughters of oelted
earls, while ladies' maids. Chambermaids
and cooks viii hang on to the arms Of
cabinet ministers and other male heads
OF illustrious lines.
AN ANCIENT CUSTOM
The ancient practice of the landowners
enjoying the servants quadriIlc had all
most lapsed, except III the case of a few
families. The revival is. perhaps, no lit
tie due to the increasing necessity for
pamperng the Britt servant The
OnloOker says the householders now have
10 study the comfort of their domestics
as much as their own. and quotes one
country house where a set of rooms is
specially allotted to them for recreation,
comprising ballroom. mushroom,
library and biliard-room. in which a mar
ket is kept for the servants sole use.
POOR MRS. MAVERICK.
once again Mrs Florence Maybrick
spends unhappy Christmas in her pris-
on cell. In spite OF the various reports,
her chances of liberty are no brighter
than last Ne2r- Secretary Hay has for
warded to Mr. Choate several private let
tiers, which viii shortly be presented to
the new Home Secretary, MI Richie, in
accordance with the custom OF approach
ing each new occupant Of that office. But,
the Associated Press learns. there is no
possible chance Of anything being done so
long as Lord Halsbury is Lord High
Chancellor. Were the Cabinet to discuss
the matter, as ii did once before, it could
only refer it to the Crowns chief adviser,
Lord Iialsbury, who apparently made the
Maybrick ease the basis of Il feud with
the late Lord Chief-Justice, Baron Rus
sell of Halloween, and cnerishc.a it Just as
bitterly now as before Lord Russell's
death When Il new chancellor is APP
pointed. Mrs May5rick will have good
chance for freedom. The Duchess of
Bedford. who is reported TO be especially
interested in Mrs. Nlaybrick, tells the AS
ISOLATED Press that she only sees the cele-
brated prisoner III the course OF her reSll-
lar visits to Aylesbury Prison, not espe-
cially in the interest Of her case. and does
not intend to express any opinion OF her
guilt or innocence.