The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-12-23
Many Queer Old Customs Are to
Be Revived.
DUKES DANCE WITH COOKS
While Phneesses Hang on to the Arms Of
Buffers Domestic Servants Must Be
Pampered America Taking
Lead In Coli.


merry Christmas though in consequence
London is already one Of the dullest
spots in the United Kingdom. The fash
ionable world has deserted the metropo-
lis and sought refuge in the country
places.
There win be such a round Of house
parties as has been unknown for sew
eral years. They will be accompanied
by the revival OF the queer, old customs
which century ago made the season
the occasion for unrestrained merry
making among rich and poor alike. 1t
would seem that those who are able to
celebrate realize the necessity for de-
tracing public attention from the
events in South Africa.
At Osborne. the queen will be sur
rounded by the Duke and Duchess OF
York. the Princess OF Battenberg and
several OF her grandchildren. At Sand
rinsham. the Prince OF Wales win en-
tertain the Duke and Duchess Of Fife
and their children with royal Christ
mas trees.
weIbeck abbey. Blenheim palace,
Hatfield house and all stately homes OF
England's aristocracy are filing Up with
scores OF guests prepared to make the
most Of yule tide. Balls. amateur the
atricals and entertainments without
end have been arranged, conspicuous
among which is the old English Gus
tom Of a dance in the servants hall.
At the Duke and Duchess Of Devon
shire's. Earl and Countess Spencer's.
the Marquis and Marchioness of Lon
donderry's and other places Of the no.
bility. Christmas eve win be marked
by the strange spectacle Of buffers
dancing with princesses and footmen
with countesses while ladies' maids,
chambermaids and cooks will hang on
to the arms Of cabinet ministers and
other male heads Of illustrious lines.
The ancient practice of London own
ers enjoying the servants quadrille had
almost iapsed. except in the case Of
few families. The revival is. perhaps,
no little due to the increasing necessity
for pampering the British servant.
The onlooker says the householders now
have to study the comfort OF their
domesfics as much as their own and
quotes one country house where a set
OF rooms is specially allotted to them
for recreation. comprising ball room.
music room. library and billiard room
in which a market is kept for the
servants sole use.
DIsGUsTED GOLFER.
In striking contrast to this is the
treatment accorded to Bernard Mich
oils. the American golfer who defeated
the English crack, Peter Paxton,
Thuroday Nichols. who is Of Eng
lish birth. returned here after having
passed many years in America. The Tot
ting Bee Golf Club compelled him to
lunch in the workshop. though the
club members were glad to face the
December storm to witness his play.
Nichols said:
Had ! not been before in America
and witnessed the lavish kindness be-
slowed on Vardon and other English
players. might not have resented this
treatment; but, you may be assured,
/ win never remain in England long
and If it were not for meeting Braid
Saturday. who is a personal friend. 1
would not play on another English link.
You may depend on it. Vardon will
not remain here long. for / know he
will be unable to stand this sort of
thing after the kindness he has receiv-
ed in America
"The curious thing about it all is
that America win soon outstrip Eng
land not only in golf playing but in
the manufacture Of golf equipment. for
they are getting the best talent in
England which under better auspices is
sure to outstrip the home talent"
MRS. MAVERICKS CASE.
Once again Mrs. Florence Naybrick
spends an unhappy Christmas in her
prison cell. In spite Of the various re-
ports. her chances Of liberty are no
brighter than last year. Secretary Hay
has forwarded to Mr.. Choate several
private letters which will shortly be
to the new home secretary, Mr..
Ritchie, in accordance with the custom
on the approach Of each new occu-
pant Of that office.
But the Associated Press learns there
is no possible chance Of anything be-
ing done so long as Lord Salisbury
is lord high chancellor. Where the cab
met to discuss the matter, as 1t did
once before, it could only refer it to
the crowns chief adviser. Lord Halls
bury who apparently made the
Maybrick case the basis Of a
feud with the late Lord Chief
Justice Baron Russell, of Killowen, and
cherishes 1t Just as bitterly now as
before Lord Russell's death. When a
new chancellor is appointed Mrs. May
brick will have good chance Of free
dom.
The Duchess of Bedford. who is re-
ported to be especially interested in
Mrs. Maybrick. tells the Associated
Press that she only sees the celebrated
prisoner In the course Of her regular