Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-07-13
VANITY FAIR.

vANil r fAIns
During the coming season there will
be quite plethora Of international
yacht races. Whether contests Of this
description do much for the best in
terests OF the sport is doubtful. for
in the past they have often led to
chickering's, and they certainly cause
people who usually take no interest in
yachting to momentardly turn their
attention to the pastime. The first
series of international matches has al
ready commenced at Mealau, in which
NJ. Marcon's 1-tonner Belonga, repre-
senting the Cercle de Ia Wolfe de Paris,
is matched against the Vectis, owned
by Mr.. F. W. Leybourne Popham of
England, whose challenge was backed
by the Island Sailing club of Cowes.
In August we are promised another
series Of international races for the
Coupe de France. The defender will
be owned by Mr.. E. Hofe, who has
been racing the 20-rater Laura with
considerable success at the Mediter-
ranean regattas. Then, still later in
the season, will follow the American
cup races
1t is unpleasant news to hear that
l'och Leven, the most romantic among
the lave of Scotland, is in danger of
becoming covered with an obnoxious
weed, which is spreading in an alarm
ing manner, to the dismay of all con-
cerned in the fishing interests of the
loch. For some two years past the
presence of this member of the ana
charts tribe of water plants has been
known, but no satisfactory explanation
OF the method by which it found its
way into the waters has yet been ar
rived at One ingenious authority has
expressed the opinion that it was in
troduced with some goldfish which
were purchased and turned out into
the loch. The fish were bought from
haWkers, in globes, in which it was
supposed there were supplies of this
foreign weed. Others assert that it
was bought into the vicinity by an
American timber ship. Be this as it
may, the inconvenience to which the
ever-lncreasing masses of weed give
rise is very considerable. Anglers and
others are viewing with keen interest
the steps that are being taken to de-
stroy the encroaching plant.
Viscount Castereagh, eldest son of
the marquis and warehouses of Lon
donderry, attained his majority re-
Gently. The marchioness Of London
derry, who had been in Africa on a
visit to her second son, who is I'M
fortunately out Of health, rejoined the
family circle at Londonderry house,
Park Lane, for the occasion. Lord
Castlereagh is a lieutenant in the royal
morse guards. He is a keen sports
man and very fine rider. At Sand
hurst he took first prize for military
riding, and he is also frst-rate
across-country. His histronic talents
are above the average, as he has
proved at several amateur dramatic
entertainments at Wynyard park and
Mount Stewart, in which he and his
only sister, Lady Helen Stewart, have
played conspicuous parts. Festivities
in connection with Lord Castlereaghs
coming of age are postponed till Au-
gust, when the family will be in resi-
dence at Wynyard park. The marquis
and marchioness of Londonderry are,
of course, both influential personages
in society and the heir is great fav-
orlte on both the Irish and English
estates. He holds commission in the
Durham artillery volunteers, of which
his father is colonel, and which regi-
ment, formed from Lord London
derry's employees, is particularly fine
one.