, 1873-03-08
ENGLISH SCANDALS IN HIGH LIFE

bic that tho example Of tho Prince Of Wales had
much to do with tho loose hnbits and immoral
practices which havo brought sovoral Of tho
aristocratic families before tho public in tisrepu-
table connections. The Prince OF Wales, Bome
years ago, was the leader Of select band Of
young roues, whose nubla extraction did
not Raye them from very ignoblo pur-
suits They lowered about tho green-
rooms Of tho minor thoatros, and took
tho obscone exhibitions known as "DritiBh
BurlesQue" undor their special protection. Tt
was common occurrence for young noblemen
to be arraigned before tho JuBticos for drunken
rovs, in which they generally had their aristo-
cratic heads punched In the effort to punch plo-
belan crauiuma. Tho most astounding exhibit
WAS made whom Lord Mordaunt brought q suit
for divorce, based upon his wife's statement I'M
plicating the Prince Of Wales and various young
bloods Of London town. Lady Mordaunt'a e1-
cuso WAS a striking comtnent upon tho morals of
the day, for she justified lor conduct by claim
ing that she only imitated high-tonod society in
general. She made this revelation in slang torma
we'll suited to the region Of Tattersalls and the
Strand. Lady Mordaunt's relatives came to the
rescue by maintaining TINT gho was Insane, and
the suit was postponed while tho lady was placcd
under treatment. The scandal-mongerR wero
disappointed for tic timo being, though the
husband insists that tho suit shall atil be tricd,
Boomer or later. In the meantime, various scan-
dals Of 3 less pronounced character lavo main
tainod tho interest Of the high-toned English
ariatocracy, and Of this time tloro aro several
throw Of many families. few wocks
since, tho English public had sonsa-
tfon after its own heart In the announce
ment that Lord Wentworth, tho only Nneal de-
acendant Of Lord Byron, and tho heir to two
Poeragos Ind brought an nction for divorce
had introduced into hiB select circle only couple
Of years ago. Lady Wentworth is tho daughter
Of Clergyman, but sho speedily ovorcame tho
projudcos against her low birth by her great
personal beauty and the fascination OF her varicd
accomplishments. Her Innocence docs not seem
to have commanded any respect from the new
society into which she had been conducted
though 1t would have lad recognized value In
tho lowlier walka Of life which sho had aban-
douod.
It ia not probable that tho reported separation
Of the Marquis Of Lorno and lia wifo has for itH
cause anything similar to the social troubles thnt
hayo beon mentioned, for the femnle portion ct
Victoria'a family has always boen as chaste as
the male portion has been prone to dissipation.
Nevertheless, the scandal remainR. Ru1nors
have heretofore boon proved to be go idle and
absurd, that thoro is never any good reason to
give credence until they take q substantial and
authoritative shape. Tho public, however,
always not upon the presumption that whero
thore Ia smoke there must be somo fire;
| aud, in tho present instance, 1t will ro-
quire something positive to remove tho aus-
piclon that the rumor Inns created. The marriage
Of the Princess Louise, the sixth child OF Queen
Victoria, occurred March 20, 1871, and attracted
Al unusual amount OF comment aud interest be-
cause It WAS ono Of the very few departures from
tho rule Of rogning families TINT royalty must
intormarry with royalty. There wore urgent
protosts against the match amoug aomo of tho
| legitimate royalsts, but tho people Of England
regarded the union as m evidence OF growth Of
| democracy, aud celebrated 1t accordingly. Tho
Marquis OF Lorue was handsome fellow Of
| Scotch blood,-robuat, hearty, and gallant; tho
| prineeaa Louiso was young woman Of the strict
| notiona which Victoria has inatlled into tho
minds Of her daughters. It w.a generally
believed to be- love match, and the youthful
hearts of Grent Britain beat with pride at prec-
odent which relieved tho future Princesses OF
England from the ungrateful necessity OF marry
Ing blasted, bowhisl1orcd foreigners. It waa
little dreamed two years ago, when the Marquis
Of Lorne, in his Scotch plaid md pride and the
Princena, in hor trailing veil and modeasy, stood
before tho altar, that even tho breath of scandal
could reach tho young couple 80 auspiciously
united. Tho report which tells Of tho aopara-
ton giyes incompatibiiity Of tompor as
tho cauae. It Ia term Of very gen.
eral meaning. In tho absence Of any more
specific reason, it may not bo out Of place to
alludo to singular II not significant orcum .
stance. Tho Victoria family has boon wondor-
fully prolific. Tho Queen Aoraolf had borne
nine children whom her husband died. Victoria
Adelaide, tho Princess Royal, who married tho
Crown-prluoo Of Prussia, Inns already had eight
children. Tho Prince OF Waloa who married
tho beautiful Alexandra, of Denmark, In 1868, III
tho father Of Hevon children by his wlfo. The
princoaa Alice, who marrled Prince William, Of
hesse, In 1869, has had five children. Princess
Holona Augusta, who was united to tho Prince
OF schleswig- -1IolstoIn in 1896, Inns already
presented her lego lord with four children, Here
gro Ave marriages IN tho family which havo had an