Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-03
PRINCESS CHARMING.
THE PRETTY WIFE OF THE DUKE
OF YORK.
CHARITABLE FROM Her CHILDHOOD
Her Early Days spent I'm Caring for
others, UnselfishIy Tending the
sick, and Relieving the Wants of
the Poor.

correspondence Of the Dispatch)
LONDON. January 2i-The good angel
OF the British Royal Court is unquestiona-
bly, the Duchess Of York, wife of Britains
future king, and daughter of the kindly
and lamented Duchess Of Teck, whose
recent death made the nation unaffected
ly sad A young woman. old in sorrow,
is Prince Georges pretty wife. The
whole world knows of the death, on the
eve Of his marriage. of her first afianced.
the Duke Of Clarence. elder brother of her
present husband. Now 20 this sorrow
has been added the death Of her mother
10 whom she was more like a sister than
a daughter always accompanying her
on her many missions Of mercy in the
ucighborhood Of White Lodge. the beauti-
ful residence Of the Teck family at Rich
mond Park.
The early life Of the Duchess Of York
was passed in the apartments at Kensing-
ton Palace, where she was born. as were
her three brothers The only girl in the
family. II was perfectly natural that she
should be the idol of both parents and
brothers. But this boyish association,
and the sharing with her brothers in all
their sports, pastimes. joys, and sorrows
did not in the slightest degree spoil the
beautiful womanliness of her character,
as her life since has borne witness. IL
simply caused her TO grow up typical
English girl. full OF health, life. aud ViVac-
lty. fond of fun and exceedingly KIND
hearted.
Referring to her early years, the
Duchess has said. Il was very naughty.
very happy, and very uninterestng.
She was educated by governess' VINO
is now gOuVernante Of the royal childieh.
THE musical part Of Princess Mays ed
ucation was entrusted 10 Sgnor Tost,
the composer, and, under his care, she
became an accomplished pianist, and
evyeet singer. German and French she,
IF course acquired in her earliest years,
and to-day she can converse nuently IN
either tongue. Drawing and painting
do not appear TO have been faVorite
studies with the young Princess. but she
,yas devoted TO books, not merely OF the
story-boOk order her delight being In the
great masters of English prose and verse.
The Duchess of Teck was not unduly
strict regarding the books which her
daughter read, and Princess May was
permitted "A little stronger mental lood
Than the literature specially prepared for
Inc young person" The choice OF BOOKS
was left largely to the Princess's taste
and discretion. with the consequence lhat
She was generally acquainted Win the
hook Of the hour. This habit OF her
glrlhood remains and. In spite OF the
multitudinous duties Of the last lew
years. the Duchess of York is one OF the
best read women of the day.
When the Princess May was about 10.
ner quiet uneventful life at kensington
Palace came TO an end. and the next
wear o.. two was spent in foreign traVel
with her parents, largely in italy Inc
winters were spent in Florence, where
the Young Princess studied under ltallah
masters and developed her arusuc
tastes. Upon returning TO England me
Duke and Duchess OF Teck took up tneir
abode at White Lodge
Princess MAY passed an JneVentlul
life IN White Lodge, her cher duties De-
ing to assist her mother in her charl-
table work, and her pleasures 10 flue
and drive with her brothers. and tend the
flowers that grew luxuriantly IN the
grounds around the house. Society she
had no particular fancy for, but when
she did attend a ball or concert during
the London season, her tall, gracelui
figure. fair hair. blue eyes, and fresh
young face captivated every one,
The Prlncess's own pleasure really lay
an a simple and free life In her country
home. She would visit the infirm ana
sick people in their cottages near Wmte
Lodge. and always set aside poruoh
OF her by no means eAtraVagaht al
lowance Of pin-money for charity. VI
the many stories told OF her KINDNESS ~
the SICK none are more touching thdh
The one relating to a crippled lad in Rich
mond. who was dying oil consumption.
Tho Princess used 10 visit him almost |
daily during the last weeks OF his illness,
and her visits were not mere IorHdi
calls and a doing out of jellies and
grapes; she gave her time and sympathy
10 the sick lad. and would SIT by MS ped /
and talk and read 20 him. her last VISIT
was paid 10 him one SUNDAY nloi ,lins !
on her way 20 the pretty httie chuIV" ="
Richmond Vale. where she always at
tended. n was apparent that the boy |
was RAPIDLY sinking. and feeling that she !
might not see him alive again. the Prln-
cess stopped down and kissed MN. her |
own tears mingling with those or the |
mourners around his bed. II was nttle |
acts like these which made the young
lady from White Lodge SO peioVeu III
the locality; and to show their appIecia-
ton Of her kindness, the toWnsPeopio
OF Richmond presented her with pony
phaeton upon her Hst birthday.
In one respect the Duchess OF YORK sets |
an example to. the philanthropic women |
o. the world. She is not content with |
merely relieving distress and poverty, |
but endeavOrs 20 seek the cause or evil |
and lends her influence 10 the various
schemes for remedial social reform. state
schemes for lettering the condition OF the
working classes. the destruction OK TOOK,
cries" and the substitution Of cheerful
and wholesome dwellings, appeal to her
and she would as a girl discuss these
projects with earnestness. Fair pay ana
good conditions OF labor she feels 10 DC
The great need OF the time and, following
the example OF the Duchess or Iech,
she only purchases from those hrns
which treat their employees with fairness
and consideration.
On the recent visit OF the Duchess ana
her husband 10 Ireland she made ue-
cided hit with the natives by cAreluliy
excluding from her visible wardrobe any
costumes but those OF Irish goods
-