The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1896-06-27
4 A NOTABLE PRESENTATION.

The most aotable American presented this
spring was the young Duchess Of Marl-
borough. but she did not appear as an
American but az an English Duchess. So
cially her position u ono Of considerable
Importance and she is entitled by right to
appear at the drawing rooms az often as she
plcases. Her influence Is also sufficiently
great to eecure cards OF admission for any
CT her eligible New York friends, but unfor-
~tunately the one whom she would most like
seldom waived. This refers to her mother.
M:S. o. H. P. Belmont. who was divorced
from tho Duchess father. w. X. Wander
bilt. One of the few divorced women ever
admitted to the royal presence ID the Mar
chloness OF Rlandford. who was divorced
from the late Duke Of Marlborough. 1t was
che who presented her daughter-in-law. the
young Duchess. al court.
1t is a well known bit OF gossip that has
lived for more Than three years that an
American millionaire paid 500 0 to an In
n"uential but bankrupt leader Of society for
drawing room cords for his wife and two
daughters. This mar had for many years
endeavored tn enter the fashionable set
in New York md had probably spent
500, 900 In lavish entertainments In an eff
fort to draw the right people 10 MS house.
But on reaching home after the presenta-
ton Of hia family he discovered that It had
| opened the long closed doors. He has never
regretted the $40. 600. but 1t seems strange
that an American should gain admittance
to New York society by way OF London.
Al CUT RATE FIGURES.
One girl Nho was presented last year
boastea of having pasted through the or
deal 1T a cost of less than $50. She man
aged It by hiring a gown and veil for $50.
borrowing some jewels. paying SO for a
carriage and so for a bouquet Of flowers.
1t ia possible to d. 1t for s176 without hiring
or borrowing anything. A fair gown can
- -. 80 xk- v4a -t~~@ I,>-
| etc., for s25 more. leaving s25 for the car
| ttage and flowers This, Of course. 70 shaw
ing matters dangerously close.
Usually the parents Of a girl who Is pre-
scented give a reception at their hotel or
home otter the drawing room. and this has
grown to be such a fixed custom that the
| cost must be reckoned the same as tho price
OF the court cown. All OF the court gowns
have many similar features. Unmarried
young women must appear In white. The
gown must have a rain not less than two
yards III length and must be cut moderately
low Ir the nc.k, and the sleevea must be
Ghort. A veil eimilar to that worn by a
bride must also form a part Of the costume
a bouquet Of aowerG Is also a compulsory
feature. but aside from these the young
woman can allow her fancy to run as freely
rs her pocketpook Will permit. It 10 the
Lord Chamberlain who fixes all OF these
rules. and his assistants see to 1t that they
are vigorously adhered to.
A POWERFUL OFFICIAL.
All applications for cards are mado to
this same gentleman. Such applications
are invariably accompanied by an endoree-
ment of some person OF note and proml-
nence. Other wise they are ignored. Ex-
IRENE care is taken that no one whose
character Is at all doubtful Ia admitted.
The most difficult thing to perform Is to
leave the royal presence by backing out Of
tho room. A 'twelvc-foot train impedes
graceful progress. Usually this part Of the
programme Is rehearsed several times be-
fore the presentation is made, Everything
else is in stereotyped form and Is of such a
simple character that few people comml
blunders. The name is announced. and ON
entering the drawing room the newcomer
makes a bow. She sees a number OF ladies
standing under a canopy. and grouped
around them sees men ID fanciful court
costume. The person presenting the visitor
walks up to where the Queen Is standing.
and after bowling low kisses her hand. Her
protegee does precisely the came thing, and
then the two back out Of the room as
gracefully as they San. That ends tho
function as far a. they are concerned.
There Is no conversation and no lettering
about in the drawing room. Only the elect
are permitted those privileges.
GEORGIA HART.