The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-06-09
The Duke Too strict for the Prince
Washington POst.)

OSt(
Something in the nature Of a social
sensation has been created by the an
nouncement that the Prince of Wales
will stay with MI. and Mrs. Willie
James, at West Dean Park, for the
Goodwood races, instead Of as usual
with the Duke OF Richmond and Cor
don, who owns the Goodwood race
course. For some fve-and-thirty years
the Prince and Princess Of Wales and
other members Of the royal family
have each year spent the Goodwood
week at Goodwood house as the guests
Of the old duke. There was only one
year that / can recall his staying away
from Goodwood house. This was the
year following the sensational scene
between the duke and the prince at
Goodwood house on the subject Of bac-
carat. The duke, who is very indepen-
dent, very frank, and possessed Of a
very keen sense OF his own dignity and
importance, had courteously requested
the prince not to inaugurate any games
Of hazard while under his roof, declar-
ing that he had a strong objection to
high play. The prince promised 70
comply with his wish. Principally at
10 the duke retires to bed, no matter
who may be stopping in the house. On
the night of the scene in question he
had taken leave as usual of his royal
guests and had withdrawn. Some
twenty minutes later he had occasion
the library. Passing through n OF
49, -o1--- H. f1,,nl ~ hir o~A1n~npS
not only the prince and others Of his
male guests, but likewise a number OF
ladies, engaged in a very stiff game of
baccarat. The old gentleman's indig-
nation knew no bonds, and in the pres
ence of the entire company he remon-
strated sharply with his future king,
recalling to mind his own wishes and
the princes promise, and intimating
that the heir apparent had been guilty
of a breach of faith.
There was no more play that night,
and on the following day the prince
seized a preteXt to return to own The
next year he did" Goodwood from his
yacht Osborne, travelling to and fro by
a special train every day. But it was
SO uncomfortable, and there was so
"uCu uupltdSduI SOSSlp III COllucCliOu
with his absence from Goodwood house
that on the following veal he became
once more the dukes guest, and il he
has continued going there year after
year since it has been rather as a social
duty than from any feeling Of pleasure,
since he naturally felt the restraint i'm
posed upon his tastes.
With regard to Mr.. and Mrs. Willie
James, they are friends rather Of the
Prince of Wales daughters han OF his.
Mrs. James, in fact, was n of the
girlhood friends Of Princess Victoria OF
Wales and of her two sisters, and is
probably the cleverest and certainly
one of the most comedy amateur &C
tresses in England. Her husband, Mr..
James, is one OF three brothers who
inherited enormous fortunes from their
father, a Manchester merchant and
multimillionaire. His mother was an
American lady. One Of his brothers
was killed by a hunting accident out
in India. 1t may be taken for granted
that at West Dean Park the Prince of
Wales wishes will be consulted in ev-
erything, and no restriction whatso-
ever will be placed upon his fondness
for baccarat. Indeed, il is probable
that Mr.. James will be ready to lose 20
his royal guest any sum that the latter
may play for.