Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-25
WAR COMING AT NEWPORT.
Society Agitated About Countess of
Manchester and Mrs. belmont.

A Newport R- ID dispatch in the New
York Journal says:
The Duchess of Manchester, who, with
her son, the young Duke, will arrive here
on Saturday next. is TO visit for a fort
night at Mrs. William Posts villa, on
Bellevue avenue. and IL is not yet def
nitely settled just where these distinguish
ed persons will go afterwaTd Enough in
vitations have been extended TO keep
them Hospitality entertained for the next
few years, but IL is not this over which
society is exercised.
IL was understood a few weeks ago that
Mr.. j. J. Van Allen would entertain the
Duchess. but to-day II is positively as
serted that such will not be the case.
Mr.. Van Allen is a man OF the world, and
knows just when to do the right thing.
lie states that owing TO the crowded con-
dition Of his house. his two daughters be-
ing al home for the first time since their
childhood, and because OF the numerous
invitations now outstanding and accepted.
IL will be impossible for him 10 have the
honor or the Duchess's visit.
Speculation is rife as to the exact under
standing existing between Mrs. o. ii. T..
Belmont and the Duchess OF Manchester
and how they will greet each other. VIII
Mrs. Belmont recognize her girlhood
friend. the Duchess, or will the Duchess
snub her former school chum, Mrs Bel
| month This Is what cverS one is waiting
to see settled. and then the troubled social
seas will be smooth sailing.
FRIENDS IN GIRLHOoD DAYS.
The late Ward McAllister and the
| Yznagas were very intimate friends way
back in 1873 when Mrs. Yznaga was a
| recognized leader here. Her daughter
| Consuelo. was much admired and feted
| She was introduced 10 Lord Vaudeville
at q picnic given by James Gordon Ben
| nett. and the young English lord imme-
| diately began his ardent wooing. which
| annoyed his mother. now the Duchess OF
| Devonshire. because Miss Yznaga had no
dot" She. however. mindful or her pref
| ty young friend. Alva Smith. OF Mobile,
| sent for her to visit them, and introduced
| her TO her first husband, Willie X. VAN
derbilt. Both of these southern girls mar
| ried the men OF their selection. One went
| to England; the other stayed here, the
wife of one OF the richest men in the
world.
So great was the friendship OF these
| two women that when Mrs. Vanderbilt's
| first daughter, now the Duchess of MARI
| borough, was born, they named her Con-
suelo. The divorce proceedings, which
were inaugurated lately against Mr.. Van
derbilt by his wife. had some reference
/ to the Duchess, who espoJscd the cause
Of the husband. and thus s:ought down
| the indignant wrath of Mrs. Vanderbilt
upon her.
A MERRY WAR COMING.
Now, II II is to be war to the knife,
| two Of the worlds most famous social d.
plomats will generalize their forces, and
| Newport is likely TO see season full OF
| Incidents both comic and tragic. No one
seems 10 know just what to say. or what
| to do. The young Duke. II Is said, comes
| to look over the buds. now dropping for
eIigibles, for such a dearth was never
known. SO 1t is only fair 10 surmise that
| the assortment which will be offered him
| for inspection Will In some particular suit
his fancy. Some are pretty; AL have
money.
| Mrs. Belmont reaitirms the fact. which
appeared exclusively In the Journal, that
Marble House" Is for sale TO any one ex-
cept william X. Vanderbilt. and society
Is right In expecting 'Fnr ss'" w.
] posted.