The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-06
A Regiment Raised by Kisses.

The somewhat romantic interest IN I1ls
beautiful and romantic woman lJe4n-
Duchess Of Gordon) has been lately re-
viyed, when the brave deeds OF TIE 'soa
don HiChlanders have been 50 conSplcu-
ously brought before the notice OF tne
public: for II was entirely owing 70 the
Duchess Of Gordons loyal activity tha'
the regiment was originally raised ~ 40
erdeenshire, says writer in the Pail NAH
Magazine. The writer (as one OF ner
great grandchildren may perhaps be
hardened for the feeling Of pride IN being
permitted 10 recall many OF the personal
incidents and traditions surrounding those
first recruits for this most popular regi-
ulent. which now bears upon its colors
the historic names OF almost every battle
field where British troops have fousAt
and conquered.
Married TO Alexander, Duke of Gordon.
in 1857. Duchess Jean fairly cook London
By storm. and al once became one OF the
great leaders in society. her reputation
for Wit and energy was almost proveroiai'
and had seen well established during the
first twenty years Of her married lfeS so
it was not surprising that the first Tu-
uors of a possible French invasion quick
" reached the Duchess, and were &ppaT-
emily discussed in royal circles, for II Is
SAID that when the Prince Regent spoke
OF the imperative necessity Of increasing
very largely the number of his Majesty
forces. the Duchess Joined In his discus
sion. and made wager with the Prince
Regent that she would raise regiment
before his Royal Highness, though she
did not disclose the special manner ia
which she proposed 10 gain the victory.
AT this time the Duchess must have been
over forty years of age, ana apparently
still as irresistibly charming as IN the
earlier days of her life; while most GER
tainly her energy was undated. as IL
this very year the gOssiplng diaries OF
Miss Berry relate that this lady spent
sixteen hours out OF the twenty-four in
q constant round OF amusement. relating
that upon one day just then. she had
begun by attending Handles music at
Westminster Abbey, then 10 Hasting
trial a dinner and a play. Lady Lucan :
assembly, Ranelaugh, and Mrs. Hobart
farse.' and herself gave a ball in The
evening before that morning ID which she
must have got . good way, before set
ting out for Scotland Probably that
ball was the occasion on which the bet
was made. as by her own letters the
Prince Regent and his brothers. the
Dukes of York and Sussex, were fire.
quent guests at her house. But We must
picture the Duchess and her son, Lord
Huntley, a fine-loOking young man OF
twenty-four years. starting OF on their
long journey TO Scotland IN the spring OF
the year 1894 and we know that an official
sanction was sent to the Duke OF Gordon
to raise a regiment for the king service,
and was dated February 10, 1874 Lord
Huntley, by her side. no doubt spoke elo-
Quently of the glories of a soldiers life,
and his mother urged each stalWart High
lander to accept the King shilling with
her sweet smiles and winning ways; and
when at last all other persuasiOus failed.
tradition. well founded on fact, tells that
just kiss from the beautiful Duchess
completed the conquest. so no doubt all
her charms had outlived her youthful
days. for the authorities at the war Office
in London were very quickly informed
that the regiment was complete and a
thousand strong.