Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-10-03
rmo AmERICAN DUOnEssEs.
The Duchess of Marlborough and the
Duchess of Manchester.

AmcTlcdl-h1tCEsO VA SOuAoOf ONSSA ~
! toria and the Princess OF Wales-are the
two American Duchesses.
Democratic or Republican as our
country may be, there are few OF our
countrymen and women who visit
Europe who do not desire to catch at
least feeting glimpse Of royalty and
the higher aristocracy. 1t Is natural
that people who live In the glare OF the
aristocratic European world should be
| known by name and title to Americans
almost as we'll as the great statesmen,
the great artists. the great musicians
and the great authors are known. Curl
osity is strong In our natures, and we
| feel that we have been defrsuded from
a rightful share of our just dues II we
20 through London without seeing q
| few OF the many celebrities TO be found
there during the season.
It Is becoming more and more COM
mon for Americans OF means to go 10
London for portion Of the season, and
their efforts to see "smart" society are
rendered more and more easy from the
fact that so many American girls have
married into the court circles. New
York sends q large contingent each
spring to London, while chicago, De-
troit and San Francisco are often repre-
sented In the English metropolis.
Boston, although she boasts OF several
fair daughters in exalted position In
English society, has been always less
well represented in London. Bostonians
are to be met in the streets, the the
atres. the park and the picture gal
| leries: but less often in general society.
Although neither the Duchess OF MARI
borough nor the Duchess OF Manchester
| is really known in Boston, yet there Is
curiosity in many minds here to know
somewhat more about the two American
women who take precedence OF thelr
sisters at the Court OF st. James.
The present Duchess of Marlborough
born Lillian Price, daughter of Joshua
Price, Of Troy, N. Y. was the widow OF
Louis Hamersley, who left her an In
come OF $4,000, 900. She inherits the
use Of this property only for her life
time, as after her death the will OF her
late husband provides that the property
shall pass to his nearest male relative,
Mr.. J. Hooker Hamersley. 1t is esti-
mated that the duchess receives about
$3.50, 900 per annum from the estate,
and, as the duke is supposed to have at
least 500, 900 yearly, there Is no reason
why this amiable couple should not
be considered wealthy, even allowing
that it costs a small fortune TO keep up
Blenhelm and Carlton House. The
Duchess Of Marlborough is an exceed
ingiy pretty woman; she Is blonde, has
a lovely complexion, low forehead and
good features; she is plump, but not too
plump, having a beautiful neck, with
her head finely posed. Mrs. Hamersley
was considered 8 beauty In New York
society, and. the Duchess OF MARI
borough has only gained apparent at
traction by the addition Of q coronet.
Mayor Hewitt, of New York, had
the honor of Joining Mrs. Ham
ersley and the Duke Of MARI
borough in wedlock. The simple cere-
mony, or lack Of ceremony, was per-
formed at the New York City Hall be-
fore a few intimate friends, comprising
Mrs. Blanche Anger, the most intimate
friend OF the duchess, and MIR. Ward
McAllister. The newly-married couple
shortly sailed for England, where, ii
the path Of the American duchess has
not been strewn with roses, it has, at
least, been less unpleasant than was pre-
dlcted. Mrs. Hamersley was not the
first wife Of the duke, for he had pre-
viously married the daughter OF the
Duke of Abercorn, who had obtained
her separation on the ground OF cruelty.
Lady Blandford is very lovely woman,
and her son, II he lives, will be the fu-
ture Duke of Marlborough. She has
always been much respected, and en-
joyed the personal affection OF the
Queen, who looked with disfavor on the
new duchess. 1t Is reported that her
majesty refused to receive the Ameri
can duchess, rs she had made rule not
to receive either q divorced person or
any one married to q divorced person.
Later, through the influence of the
Prince of Wales, the new duchess was
received, although she knew that there
was a strong feeling against her in high
circles.
The present ducesS is not only an ad-
mirabe business woman, but a woman
Of great strength of character. She is
quite able to hold her own against
shrewd New York business men, and
has personal eye to the investment Of
her property. The duke found that he
had quite a different woman to deal
with from his former duchess, and for
this reason he would probably never at
tempt to impose upon her or insult her,
as he is said to have done to Lady Bland
ford.
As yet, the Duchess of Marlborough
has not attempted to take any great po-
sition in London society; she has not
given large balls nor entertainments.
Those of her old friends who have seen
her find her looking not only exceeding
" well, but to all Appearances very
happy. She has had her hands full SUI
perintending the repairs and refitting
Of Bienheim, and only this summer the
music room, with its new organ, was
dedicated. On this occasion the Ouch
eSs had a house party, and everyone
was delighted with the place and the
entertainment. or course, Mrs. Ron
ais was one OF the guests, for she has
always been strong adherent Of the
Duchess. Nine. Nordica was also a
member of the house party, and lent
her magnificent voice to the dedicatory
/ concert.
The present Duchess of Manchester
attained her title in 1890, upon the death
OF her fSther-in-law, the farmer duke.
She, however, had been we'll known in
London society for almost fifteen years
as Lady Vaudeville. Indeed, ConSuela
Yznags was one of the first of the Amer
lean beauties of recent date to marry
into the English aristocracy. She was
the daughter of Antonio Yznaga del
Vale, Of Louisiana, and was living in
Orange, n. j., when Lord Vaudeville
! first met her.
The Duchess of Manchester, who was