The herald., 1896-06-14

gives her something to talk about for
the rest of her life and, like an heir
loom, she can hand it down to future
generations of her family as badge
of greatness.
1t means much to an English woman
to be presented at court, but to an
American it can be scarcely any ma
terial value. In England the court
circle governs society. Its recognition
makes a gentleman or lady out of a
nobody. a court presenta tion is an open
sesame to society and to everything that
that implies Naturally it is sought
after with great diligence, particularly
by the people who know that they must
overcome mountainous obstacles to
reach the acme of their ambition.
London is filed with q class of in
fuential sharks who make fat income
during the season by plotting rich folks
into the throne room at buckingham
palace. 1t is a sad but true fact that
many Americans have permitted them
selves to be bitten by these rascals for
the mere pleasure of rubbing shoulders
with royalty for q minute or two and
seeing roomfUl of princes princesses,
dukes and people of lesser titles in gala
array.
1t is a gorgeous show, and it is gener-
ally thought to be worth the price of
be feed for obtaining the rare cards of
admission, the function cannot be suit
ably attended at cost of much less
than thousand dollars. There are in
Vulnerable rules of court etiquette
which must be complied with, and each
rule means the expenditure of a goodly
sum. If the presentation function were
established for the benefit of the London
shopkeepers it would serve the purpose
hobiy, as it stimulates trade to a sur
prisingly healthy degree. The queen
rs yet has not presided at anv of the
drawing rooms this season, her place
generally being taken by the Princess
OF wales. But the same rules govern
the drawing rooms, no matter who is
presiding.
A NOTABLE PRESENTATION
The most notable American presented
this spring was the young Duchess of
Marlborough, but she did not appear as
an American, but as an English duchess.
Socially her position is one of consider
able Importance, and she is entitled by
right to appear at the drawing rooms as
often as she pleaSeS Her influence is
also suff1ciently great to secure cards
of admission for any of her eligible
New York friends, but unfortunately The,
one whom she would most like to pre-
sent is debarred by an edict which is
seldom waived. This refers to her
mother, Mrs. O. II. p. Belmont. who was
divorced from the duchess father, w
Is. Vanderbilt One of the few divorced
women ever admitted to the royal pres
ence is the Marchioness of Blandford
who was divorced from the late Duke of
Marlborough. 1t was she who present
ed ler dauShter-i law, the young duch-
ess at court.
1t is a Well-knoWn bit of gossip that
mas lived FOR more than three years
that an American millionaire paid $40
o0o to an influential but bankrupt leader
OF society for drawing room cards for
his wife and two daughters This man
bad Tor many years endcaVored TO en-
te"the fashionable set Of Now York. and
bad probably spent 100000 in lavish en-
te' tainments in an effort to draw, thu
right people to his house. But on reach
ing home after the presentation of his
f"'0iY be discovered that il had OMEN
ed the long closed doors IL has never
leisf tied the $4,000, but il seems