The San Francisco call., 1897-10-17
MARQUIS Of
BLANDFORD
CHRISpEuED
MarIborough's Son Is
Named John Albert
Edward William.
PRINCE OF WALES
PARTICIPATES.
And SO Does Grandfather
Vanderbilt, but Grandma
Belmont Is Absent.
NOTABLE RELATIONS AT
THE CEREMONY.
The Duchess Greatly Relieved
When the Noble Infant Is Re-
turned to the Nurses Arms.
And So Does Grandfather
Vanderbilt, but Grandma
Belmont Is Absent.
NOTABLE RELATIONS AT
THE CEREMONY.
The Duchess Greatly Relieved
When the Noble Infant Is Re-
turned to the Nurses Arms.
Special Dispatch to THE CALL

NEW YORK, n. Y, Oct 16.-A special
from London to the World says: John AL
bert Edward William are the names given
by the Prince of Wales, the Marchioness
of Blandford and William K. Vanderbilt
TO the infant Marquis of Blandford, the
Duke OF Marlborough's first born, at the
christening to-day in the Chapel Royal o.
ST. James Palace. All the eldest sons in
the Churchill family are named John,
after the first Duke, otherwise the Prince
of Wales baptismaI names would come
first. William is after the grandfather,
William K. Vanderbilt.
The christening was very quiet and
select function. A good sized crowd, COM
posed chiefly Of well-oressed women, gath
cred st the palace gates 10 see the CON-
pany arrive, expecting big, fashionable
assemb!age, but the curious throng was
disappointed. With the exception of the
Prince 1t was merely family party. The
only notable bsentee was Mrs. Belmont
AS William k. Vanderbilt was 10 act rs
sponsor, Mrs. Belmont, formerly his wife
and mother of he Duchess of Marlborough,
could not participate; consequently she
chose to stay away.
ct IL 20 A. M, and punctually to the Sec
ond the Duchess OF Marlborough arrived,
dressed in pale-blue and white silk, look
ing wan and delicate. Immediately fo.-
lowing her was the hope of the family, a
bundle OF white satin and costllest lace.
borne by a buxom, auburn haired nurse
dressed in white, with black bonnet The
Duke showed his wife 10 a seat i n the pew
ha. H., a /
cieve the other Suests-his two sisters,
Ladies Norah and Lillian Spencer Church
Ill; his aunt, the Duchess OF Bucceuch,
and her two daughters; Duke OF Abercorn,
his uncle; the Coun ess of Penn broke, a
cousin; LORD Churchill, Lord-in- W aiting
to the Queen, and about a dozen of the
Mar borough woman servants. Mr. Van
derbilt entered Immediately before the
Prince of Wales, and, having bowed
gravely TO the ladies, he took a seat beside
the Marchioness of Blandford, the Duke
OF MarIborough's mother who shook him
warmly By the hand.
Mr.. Vanderbilt was solemnity persona
fed. clad in a black frock coat, white
WaIstcoat, white satin tie and gray
trousers. He took up hymnbook and
became deeply absorbed in its contents
The Prince of Wales, with Colonel
Stanley Clark in attendance, was then
ushered in by the Duke, who looked the
happy father all over AMI took his place
nearest the altar rail. The Prince wore q
black frock coat, gray trousers and had a
flower in his button-hole. He only family
acknowledged the salutations of the COM
pany as they rose to receive him. He
bore his most religious aspect. All this
time the young Duchess was on tenter-
hooks conce ming the baby's temperature,
on which subject she was receiy ng whis-
pered bulletins from the nurse The
noble infant, which displayed an ex-
EN- plary temper, evidently was too warm
in a multitude of wells and other gar
ments and an assortment of them was re-
moved gradually by the nurse and handed
for SAFE keeping to the mother.
Sub Deacon Edgar Sheppard started off
instantly, the Prince was in his place,
standing with the Lady Blandford and
Mr.. Vanderbilt, and the nurse bearinp
the babe at the font. A wreath OF ex-
quisite flowers was placed around the
front OF the font. A hymn was sung, the
company standing. except the Duchess.
The Duke stood behind The sponsors as
siduousiy reading a prayer book Nothing
was more edify Ing than the devout atten-
ton with which the Prince followed the
ymns anc prayers. in both OF which he
appeared to join. He spoke loud and
clearly his responses in behalf OF the
slumb bering infant. whom he pledged
vigorously to all manner OF righteousness
with the light heart. There was Just
su picion of a smile on the faces of the
noble ladies around when the Prince
stoully and unialteringly declared he
renounced the world, the flesh
and the devil, and all his works
on the part of the unconscious