The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-03-30
Some Stale Scraps from *
Diplomatic Dinners in Denmark

OF Matthew. Grant in New York city,
Mrs. Mary Grant Cramer, sister of Gen.
U. 5. Grant, delivered an address with
the above title. She said in part:
Dear friends, l hope that none of us
will so far forget our national dignity,
yes, and personal and ancestral dignity,
on this brilliant occasion, as to fall from
our seats, as q certain secretary did once
at dinner given in Copenhagen by his
chief-the French minister. After imbib-
ing freely, perhaps, he lost his balance
Countess D., not at all disconnected at
this unexpected episode, said to one Of
the walters in attendance: Clear him
off with the rest Of the things This
same secretary, one night at a party at
the German legation, distinguished him
self by another fall, but it was into the
arms of Morpheus, from which his wife,
by vigorous shaking, succeeded in rescu-
ing him.
A Luxurious Couple.
''The Countess D. was a conspicu-
GUS character in the diplomatic circle.
We heard much more about her than
about her husband-not because the
count was of no account, we never heard
that-but in their case it seemed appro-
pirate to speak the countess name first
1t is fitting on the present occasion, for
there is Priscilla reason for doing So.
You remember that when st. Paul was
writing a letter to the Romans, he said:
Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my helpers,
etc, and again, when writing to young
Timothy, near the conclusion of his letter
Paul said: Salute Priscilla and Aquila'-
each time Priscilla's name occurring be-
fore that of her husband. showing that
the ancient Priscilla stood very high in
the estimation of the prince of the Apos-
ties.
But to return to Countess and Count
D. This luxurious couple contrived to
exist in eighteen handsome rooms on the
second floor of the finest hotel in the
Danish capital, and the countess once
many. Perhaps she would have changed
her opinion if she had had to do the
sweeping and busting herself. At a
much talked-of ball they gave two sup
pers were served. AS the guests sat
down to the second one at 4 o'clock in
the morning, it might have been called
an early breakfast. The dancers scarce
ly knew what to do with all the favors
they received at this brilliant ball: While
planning it. the countess suddenly
thought that she must have certain num-
Der of attendants, all the same height,
ranged on either side of the staircase,
as the guests assembled to the reception
room. 1t was desired also that the said
attendants dispense with their whiskers
on that occasion, but of course the coun-
tess had no objection to their putting
them on again the next morning.
A Minister'S OPP Mon.
"Another somewhat notable person in
the diplomatic corps was the British min
ister Sir Charles w. He was bachelor
"a very old bachelor. 1t might have
been we'll for him to have had a balance
wheel, in the form of a good wife, for
vored know that it has helped you to
move on in straight course through life.
Zone night at dinner at the British
legation remarked: Sir Charles, hear
that distinguished countryman Of yours
is coming to Copenhagen When he
knew that l referred to Lord Radstock,
who sometimes made evangelistic tours
to different Countries a look of supreme
disgust disfgured Sir Charles face, as he
exclaimed: oh, that dreadful man! 1
wish he would stay away, and not come
here disgracing his country There We're
others who were grateful for the visit Of
this pure and noble man, and the good
effects of his ministry amongst them is
still felt. During Lord Radstock's two
six evening talks i'll our parlors, and they
were listened to with interest by some
members of the Danish nobility, few
army officers and others. After Lord
Radstock ceased speaking there was Il
social time, and refreshments were
served. Any enc who desired could then
converse with his lordship. One night,
talk, ! said to the chief of the crown
princes court: Col. Negley, how did
you like Lord Radstock tonight?' He
answered.: Better than ever, and what
he said was the truth Col. Negley
heard Lord Radstock every opportunity
that he had, though he had passed his
life as gay man of the world. His
handsome face and pleasant manners
were calculated to make him a favOrite
among the fair sex in his early life. l
might here remark that Lord Radstock
had no occasion to ask his minister to in
troduce him to the Danish court, for his
visit to Sweden preceded the one to Den
mark, and he came with letter of in
PRODUCTION from the Swedish Queen to
her niece, the crown princess of Den
1ors psaee e kns s%S brdher n
two court ladies of the Queen heard him
at our house.
"Dear friends, let me invite you back
to the British legation, and in magma
ton witness scene that really occurred
there. Guests are arriving in response
to an invitation to dine with Sir Charles.
He is so busy receiving his guests that
he does not observe Chamberlain Sick,
standing in the rear. Getting tired of
waiting to be recognized, the chamber
lain approaches and says: Sir Charles,
the host, with Il look of concern. Il am
sorry. Come this way 1 will take you
to my room, where you can lie down.
Following Sir Charles the guest FASTENED
to undeceive him, for he had no idea of
missing the good dinner prepared for the
guests. He reminded his host that his
name was Sick, and not his body. Who
will say there is nothing in name after
that?
Speaking of names, 1 am reminded
that in Denmark they are sometimes
burdened with the estates of the owners.
For instance, the little island of Samsoe
founder Of a distinguished family, and
the present head Of this distinguished
house is known as Count Denneskjold-
Samsoe-the island is tied to the counts
name for him to drag around through
life and finally to be put on his tomb
stone. This is an illustration of the
words of the Psalmist, when he, in speak
ing Of the rich, said: 'They call their
lands, Joining field to field, after their
own names. we knew a Count HOl-
stein Holsteinborg, the, last name being
the name of his estate. The same was
the case with Count Friis- Friisenborg.
In Denmark these estates are entailed
and cannot be sold. - =. =,
Love at a Banquet. - =
"On one occasion my husband and L
were invited to dinner in Denmark,
where a young man proposed at the table
to the daughter of the host, and was ac-
cepted. This need not be thought sur
prising when we remember how little OPP
portunity young people in Denmark and
Germany have for being alone together
until after they are betrOthed One even
ing at a dinner in Germany / observed
that a young mans arm was out Of place,
but it did not seem to give him any pain
nor his betrothed concern Perhaps she
needed support, so he was in no haste to
change the position. OF his arm. II yo,,
have so much curiosity that you must.
know what flower the next scene In the
side play reminded me Of l will say
tulips; hope that flower will never be-
come popular at American dinners. Ny
husband and Iaafterward attended the
wedding of this devoted couple, and We
We're Ave hours at the dinner It lis quite
history to tell all that occurred on that
notable OccaSi0n:s will mpntinn mo