The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-03-06
A NEW DUCHESS OF SUTHERLAND
The Duke has Taken Cut a License to
Marry Mrs. Blair.
FROM the PhiLadelphia Press.

marry MrS- blG1r,
From the Philadelphia Press
According to a dispatch from Tampa,
Fla, license has been issued by the judge
of probate of Hillsborough county for the
marriage of George Granville William
Sutherland Leyeson-Gower, widower, other
wise the Duke of Sutherland, and Mary
Caroline Blair, widow.
Such an announcement, while partly an
ticipated by the conduct of late years of
the peer who was once regarded as Britain's
greatest noble, will fall, nevertheless like a
bombshell in the ranks of English society.
Aside from the high hereditary position of
the duke, his large wealth--somewhat inn
paired of late by disastrous speculation
and his former intimate relations with the
royal family, which should be some induce
ments toward persuading him to hesitate
before he jumps, the grave has hardly
closed over the coffin of the late duchess, a
woman of the highest dignity and worth.
Her death last November was generally
mourned at home and abroad, for few
st angers of distinction visiting England
had not the good fortune to enjoy her hos l.
tality in one of the Sutherland palaces, and
it was no secret that her end had been hast
ened by the insulting and cruel behavior Of
her husband.
The traditions for several centuries of
the noble house of Leveson-Gower pro
nounced Looson-Gore) show nothing but a
series of brilliant marriages. and the head
of the house has invariably added to the
social power and wealth Of the family by
marrying richly lowered daughter of an
equally great house. The recently deceased
duchess was not only possessed of broad
lands and much gold, but she was peerless
in her own right as Countess of Cromartie,
which title at her death was Inherited by
the dukes second son, Viscount Tarbat
All the alliances of tte daughters and
junior SONS of the Leveson-Gowers have
been notable, particularly i'll the presea 1t
generation. Three of the present dukes
sisters married dukes, and became respect
lively Duchess of Leinster, Duchess of West
minister and Duchess of Argyll and the
dukes nephew, Lord Lorne, married Prin-
cess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria.
1t is to an equal rank with these highly
BON and essimable women that the Duke
of Sutherland proposes to raise the lady
who for several years has had the credit Of
being under his protection, and it is hardly
| necessary to add that her rank as duchess
will never receive the slightest recognition
from her husbands family Or from any of
! her reputable sister peeresses of Great Brit
ain. She may be received by such eccen-
trio peereSseS as the DOwager Duchesses of
Newcastle and Montrose, and probably she
will be welcomed by tie former LADY of
pleasure" who is now Countess of Euston,
and will become Duchess of Grafton at the
death of her father-iu-law. Il is not IN
Xix ly that the olive branch of friendship
will be held out to her by the dis equitable
Marchiouess of AilesburY, formerly of the
ballet, AID also by the divorced Cou ltesses
Of Aylesford and Desart. and by one or two
mo e ladies with badly furnished co onets,
but at best her circle will be most limited
even if she becomes an honest woman, with
the assistance of the Florida judge of pro-
bate.
Mrs Blair is not unknown to Philadel-
phia fame. The Duke of Sut erlaud has
been a frequent visitor to this country, and
for several years the "suite" of his yacht
Sans Peur has Included the lady, who was
introduced as the widow of thu dukes old
friend, Capt Blair. A year or two ago the
lady accompanied the duke to one or two
private houses in New York and this city,
and the exact status Of the lady soon be-
came matter of con- lecture and scandal.
Private letters from London to social
leaders in American society revealed the
truth, and for two years past the duke has
refrained from going into society in this
country. When last in this city. some two
years ago, tins duke and Mrs. Blair were
conspicuous figures on Chestnut street.-the
IN shabby tweed sultan eccentricity of
attire peculiar to his grace-aad she in the
loud c0lored apparel peculiar to English
women of her description.
The Duke of Sutherland is 81 years of age
and has several SONS and daughters, 80 any
children by his new marriage will not be
likely to interfere with the succession to the
estate and titles. 1t is rumored that tie
duke will settle large estate in Florida on
his second duchess, and that long honey
moon in any case will be passed in this
country.