The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-12-29
ENTERTAINING ROYALTY.
How the Young American Duchess Ac-
quilted Herself as Hostess.


Quilted Herself as Hostess.
(London Gentlewoman.)
On Friday the Duchess of Marlborough
gave most brilliant reception in honor
of their royal highnesses, the Prince and
Princess of Wales, who, with the Prin-
cess Victoria and Prince and Princess
Charles of Denmark, have been ON visit
to the Duke and Duchess of MARI borough
since Monday, the 23d. The house party
included Lord and Lady Londonderry
and Lady Helen Stewart, Lord and
Lady Curzon, Lady Randolph Churchill,
Lady Lillian Churchill, Lord and Lady
Gosford, the Hon. Sidney Greville and
h. Chaplin. The prince and the other
guests spent Wednesday shooting the
pheasant preserves at North Leigh, the
princesses and the duchess joining them
at luncheon.
\ On. Thursday there..was a grand display
of fireworks in the park. and a parade of
cyclists. The reception was originally
to have been ball; but. owing to the
death of the duohess's grandmother, it
was cancelled, and a reception with music
given instead. 1t was most magni6-
cent sight, the uniforms and hunt coats
of the men and the beautiful dresses and
Jewels of the ladies making brilliant
coup 'oeil. The approach to the palace
was brilliantly lighted with electric
lights at intervals. Once arrived at the
door, we proceeded along seemingly end
less passages, carpeted with red, and
hung with red. white and blue canvas,
women in the Oxfordshire uniform being
placed at intervals to direct us on our
way. AT last the haven of the cloak
room was ,reachsd, and then came ire
mendous shaking-out of orumpleds frocks
lin many cases. the result of a long drive
land finally we arrived, after more pass
ages and stairs, in the long suite of mag
nificent rooms, which, with their price
less apestries, pictures and objects dart,
would take q better pen than mine tG
describe.
The duchess, with sweet smile for all
corners, received her guests dressed in a
handsome white velvet dress, trimmed
with dark fur. and wearing spray of
mauve orchids on ssthe bodice, and her
magnificent ropes and collar of pearls,
also her diamond Horown,' worth 40, Oc0
poundsl Close by her stood the duke In
his Oxfordshire yeomanry uniform. and
near him his sister, pretty Lady Lillian
Spencer Churchill, W caring smart white
sat tin frook, the bodice having a pouch
front pailletted with silver. On reaching
the long library, tall footmen in gorgeous
liveries presented each guest with an ele-
CANT white Satin programme, printed in
| gold. the ducal coat-of- arms, also in gold
Dele
Novein Der, 1885,, on the other. The ar
tistes were Mrs. Helen Trust, the Misses
Marian and Clara Eissler, G. M. Child,
q. Sunman, C. W. Perkins, a double
qua1tette (vocaD and Herr Gottlieb Is
Vienna Orchestra. Between parts l and
| ii. there was an organ recital.
Ten O'Clock was the time mentioned
on the inyitationRoaId, and most of the
guests arrived about then. Shortly
after i O'Clock there was SUR throuh-
out the large room, and the band, all
standing up, played "God Save the
| Queen" as the royal party entered, the
| duke bringing in the Princess of Wales,
j who looked lovely in silver brocade, with
| touches of petunia velvet aud bow of
the same in her hair, arranged with hia-
mond ornaments, bowling with grac-
| ious smile to the guests as she passed.
Her royal highness took her seat in one
of the velvet chairs. arranged Fin semi
circle for the royal party. The Prince
of5Wales followed withsthe duchess, the
prince wearing the uniform of the
| Queens Own "Oxfordshire Yeomanry
| Cavalry, of which he is honorary colonel
| then came Princess Victoria, who looked
handsome in white satin and pink roses,
and Prince and Princess Charles Of Den
mark, the latter looking charming IN
| pink and white brocade, with q great
| deal of huffysswhite chiffon and wearing
| fine diamonds.
The beautiful organ was heard to great
advantage, and the violin and narr
pIaying of the Misses Eissler was much
appreciated. Mrs. Helen Trust and Mr..
| Sunman sang with great expression.
| During the playing of the spirited
march "Dorner' by the orchestra. the
royal supper procession was formed, the
duke, of course, leading the way with tbs
| princess, the prince following with his
graceful hostess, Lord jersey (lord lieu
tenant of Oxfordshire) taking in Prin
cess Charles of Denmark, and Sir Alger
non Peyton (high sheriff. following with
Princess Victoria of.Wales, and In quick
succession the rest of the house party.
After the royal party had finished, the
| rest of the company proceeded to supper,
which was served in the large hall, hunG
| with fine tapestries and red cloth, anC
with huge groups of palms and chrysau
Large silver bowls filled with pink
cbrysanthemum ornamented the tables
aud there was. of course, fine display o.
handsome silver plate. Shortly after sup
per the roTal party retired, and in a shor
| space of time there was general rusl
| for the carriages. It was lovely moon
light night, as clear az dav, the grant
old palace standing out well among th.
fine trees, and the twinkling lamps Of thu
long lines of carriages rolling quickl,
hoIneward throughyths quaint old towI
of Woodstock, gayly decorated with We
netisn masts and flags ia honor Of tn
royal visit, made q picture in ones mem
| ore not easily forgotten