The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-03-08
REGIMENT RAISED BY KISSES.
Story Of Jear, Duchess of Gordon, and
the Gordon Highlanders.

The somewhat romantic interest In this
beautiful and romantic woman (Jean. Ouch
css Of Gos.su) has been lately revived, when
the brave deeds OF the Gordon Lighlanders
have been so conspicuously brought before the
notice of the public; for it was entirely
owing to the Duchess Of Gordon's loyal
activity that this regiment was originally
raised in ABB rdeenshre. The writer, 90
one OF her great. grandchildren may perhaps
be rardoncd for the feeling of pride in being
permitted to recall many OF the personal in.
cidents and traditions surrounding those
FIRST recruits for this most popular regiment,
which now boar, upon its colors the historic
name OF almost every battlefield whore Brit
ish troops have fought and conquerei.
Married TO Alexander. Duke of Gordon, in
1867, Duchess Jean fairly took London by
storm. and at once became ono of the great
leaders in society. Her reputation for wit and
energy was almost prCverbial, and had been
well established during the the first twenty
years of her married life; SO il was not sur
rrisny that the first runners Of possible
French invasion quicslv reached the Dachess,
and were apparently discussed in royal
circles, for it 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 the
discussion, and made wager with the Prince
Regent that she would raise a regiment be-
fore his Royal Highness, though she did not
disclose the special manner in which she pro-
posed TO gain the veto y. At Tins tine tho
Duchess must have been over forty years Of
age, and apparently still as irresistibly
charming in the earlier Gays OF her lie
while mist certainly her energy was una
latel, as in thi, very year che gossi ping dia-
ries of Miss Berry relate that IN lady )ent
sixteen hours out Of the twenty four in q con-
stant round Of amusement relating that uro
one day just then, "she had begun by attend
ing handel's music st Westminster Abbey
then to Hastings trial, dinner and play,
Lady Lucsn's assembly, Ranelaugh and Mrs.
Hobart's 'farse' and herself gave. n ball in
the evening before that morning in which
she must have got good way before setting
out for Scotland" Probably that bsll was the
occasion on which the bet was made as by her
own letters the Prince Regent and his broth
ers the Dukes of York and Sussex were fire.
quent guests at her house But we must pic.
ture the Duchess and her son Lord Huutley
fne-looking young man OF twenty four
years old starting off on their long journey
to Scotland in the spring OF the year 1904; and
we know that an official sanction was sent 10
the Duke of Gordon to raise a regiment for
the Kings service and was dated February
TO- 1904. Lord Huntley by her side no doubt
spoke eloquen,ly of tbe elories Of soldier.
life and his mother urged each stalwart High
lander to accept the Kings shilling with her
sweet smiles and winning ways; and when al
last all other persnasions failed tradition wei
founded on facts tells that just n kiss from
the beautiful Duchess completed the con
quest: so no doubt all her charms had out
lived her youthful days for the authorities
al the War Ofiica in London were very quick.
ly informed that the regiment was complete
and thousand strong. Hon. Mrs Armytags
In the March Pail Mall Magazine.