New-York tribune., 1902-02-02
PICTURESQUE SKATINGPARTY
DIR. AND MRS. SEWARD WEBB THE
GUESTS OF HONOR-AFFAIR GIVEN
BY THE COUNTESS OF MINTO.

DR. and Mrs. Seward Webb. of this city. were the
guests of honor at a skating party given on Mon
day right by the Countess of Mnto at Rideau Hal
Ottawa. and had opportunity Of seeing the
Canadian winter as it exists in the popular imagi-
nation. but as il is often seen in reality.
At o'clock the night cold and clear, with
a bright moon and no wind The open rink, smooth
as sheet OF glass. surrounded by torches, and
a great bonfire blazed beside ii. The tobOggan slide
was also outlined with light and illuminated by
another bcnirc. At $3.50 o'clock Lord ard Lac@-
Minto appeared and the grand march began. the
skaters taking the torches that had encircled the
rink and. skating in procession, now in twos. now
in foUrs. in single file. dividing and reforming
in a scene that defes description. AS they skated
the weather changed to a hurricane. Showers of
sparks blown over the rink and mingled with
the falling snow. while the blaze of the bonfires
for miles, and suggested TO some the pos
sibilty of another fire such that which devas
tated the city year and half ago But the
skaters did to notice the rage Of the ele-
ments. The grand march being finished. they
waltzed and cut figures on the ice to the music
from unseen orchestra. and skated around
January Maypole winding and unwindng its rib
became conscious of the necessities of the inner
Mrs Seward Webb did no. skate. but sat at an
upper wlhe3w !" d, a n'ts PaVI4oH provided for the
St i}b I sfG White W WIN iea anu a15 bds b,A
nesting in the fur. Beside her was Countess Grey
sister-in-law OF Lady Minto. pleasant, matrOnly
apparently afraid of the Canadian winter in spite
of the bright FIRE blazing within three feet OF her
Her daughter Lady Sybil Grey, the ice.
skatlrg in the grand march with Captain Bell. one
of the aids. She dun green skating SUIT
and small black hat with red cOckade, and
seemed to be enjoying herself greatly. in spite OF
her evident uufami.iarity with the sport of the
hour. She talked with much animation, and her
pink and white English complexion became pinker
than ever with the cold and the exercise Lady
Alix Beauclerk Lady Grey's niece. did not venture
in the grand march but skated little in blush
gray costume. trimmed with fur. Lady AliX
senbles her cousin, Lady Sybil. in having a beau
tiful English complexion. but is mailer and ap-
parently younger. She is a sister Of the Duke of
St Albans.
Lady Grey and her party, who passed through
this city few days ago on their way to Ottawa.
looking forward TO six weeks Of Canadian
winter and society Among the events OF the next
five weeks will be a ball Government House
the Slst; the opening Of Parliament February
l3 with its accompanying State dinner AMI draw
ing room. and week Of sports at Quebec. The
vice-regal party is going to Quebec for the sports.
and has ordered snOUshOe costumes made after
the pattern used by the various snowshoe clubs OF
Quebec
Earl Grey is expected TO arrive in Ottawa early
this week He intended TO sail with the countess,
but was prevented the last moment Miss D. NJ.
Ward and the Hon. Hester Lyttleton, who came
over with Lady Grey and her party the Celtic.
did come to Ottawa