The morning times., 1896-11-24
SOCIETY KEEPS ITS
EYE ON BLENHEIM CASTLE
Marlborough Festivities Arouse
Much Interest Here.
Wedding and Tea Cards Are Show.
ering for December's
Early Days.

While there is so little doing at home
every one who is interested in the social
! world beyond ones own horizon is taking
an active interest in the doings of their
friends abroad.
The great social event of two continents.
or 10 be absolutely truthful, the greatest
social event of New York and England,
VIII occur today when the Duke OF MARI
borough and his Countess Consuelo will
receive a visit from royalty in the persons
! of the Prince and Princess of Wales at
the dukes famous estate of Hcnheim.
The recent death of the duchess grand
mother in New York has interfered some
what with the festivities that Were to be
] inaugurated at Benheim to entertain the
| royal guests who will remain from Tuesday
| until Saturday.
The great ball arranged for Friday night
| has been abandoned. but reception and
| euncert To wniCu Une socially eject of all
| lie country around have been hidden, will
| lake Its place.
| The prince and princess will be accom-
| panied by their omy unmarried daughter,
| the Princess Victoria, and the Prince and
| Princess Charles, of Denmark, who come
as part of the royal family.
II
will stamp the American Duchess and ali
| her descendants as approved by the highest
powers of the land, is especially interest
ing at this time when IL is remembered
hat only in the last month we nave ncard
well founded rumors about the determine
ton of Duchess CouSuelO To regain posses
sion of Marlborough House, the ancestral
nome OF he dukes family but now the
London residence OF H K. H., the Prince of
kAIaS, wll IA : HRit a a.
on IA grant from Parliament which VIII
have 10 BE- renewed In lar nrNl rcN wears.
Blenhe!In forest and castle, which We're
well nigh ruined by the extravaganza of the
late duke, the father of the present pos
SCISSOR of the title. have been restored to
much oftheirformer grandeur by the Amcri-
| can gold of the Vanaerbilts, and tine girsh
| hostess, who is still under twenty years uf
| age, VIII preside over series OF enter
talnmentS, and among party Of guests the
| like of which for elegance and distinction
| has never been surpassed even in the palui-
| est days of the Churchils.
1t is further said by those who should
| know that the duke ana duchess, whose
! marriage was not supposed to be a love
match, live very happily together, and
that their present is all peaceful and their
future nobly planned which ought to be
noted 10y the large number Of doubling souls
who prUpheSiel dire distress to both. IL
is also said the duchess has won the hearts
OF her tenantry, nd her ncighborS. although
She has never yet learned to ride to the
hounds, which is considered absolutely
necessary to the position OF her grace Of
Marlborough.
Wedding invitations and cards for par
ticuiariy interesting teas continue to he
received at the rate of two or three i
day, but all thus far are dated for the early
days of December. and the present Week
is being hailed with delight as a welcome
lull before the PLEASANT storm of next
month
The first wedding of the month will be
that of Miss Florence Lathropc Browne
ana Mr.. Charles Lester Marlct,, for which
invitations have been sen, out by the brides
| mother. Mrs. Gardiner C. Browne, Of No.
li4o Massachusetts avenue.
OWING to tie recent illness Of Mrs.
Browne this notable affair, which was
expected to hc one of the gayest of fash
onable weddings, will b. celebrated very
quietly at houc in the presence OF a lini-
tied number of invited guests, all close
friends Of the respective families, on the
evening of December |.