BRITISH CONSERVATISM AND THE PRIMROSE LEAGUE ... - ideals

The Grand Habitation held annually on or about the nineteenth
of April was the League's greatest homage to the memory of Disraeli.
The meeting also served as a celebration of the organization's
triumphs, as well as those of the Conservative party. Delegates
representing associations from all over Britain gathered in any one of
a number of London's largest public halls to partake in this ritual of
remembrance.
The decorations were elaborate.
Attending members adorned
themselves with primroses and League medals.
Banners representing
Habitations and various items of Disraelian memorabilia were placed
throughout the hall.
Color and pageantry infused the ceremony.
Notable leaders of the Primrose League and a number of influential
figures in the Conservative party stood on the dais overlooking the
crowd.
Their speeches were filled with praise for the growing number
of members and contributions made by the organization.
A variety of
nationalist tunes opened and closed the proceedings, underscoring the
League's commitment to a strong country and a vital empire.
A description of the Grand Habitation celebrations held in Her
Majesty's Hall on the twentieth of April 1888 suggests the flavor of
the occasion.
Primroses were worn by almost every one, together with
the badges and docorations of the various orders of the
League, and the theatre itself was freely decorated.
The back of the stage was hung with the Union Jack,
against which were arranged three trophies of flags
around a banner bearing the inscription, "Success to
the Primrose League." The wings were also hung with
bunting and rich banners of many devices belonging to
some of the more important habitations, and with
ornamental shields bearing the monogram of the Primrose
League. The boxes on either side were draped with
primrose-coloured silk, and an edging of the same