Evening star., 1900-06-30
kid-GIoved War Methods.


An amusing story is current regarding
Harry Beaumont one of the best-dressed
London clubmen, who married Miss Jessie
Fellowes of New York, and went TO South
ASrica as an officer of the Cheshire Yeo-
manry. 1t is said that he requsitioned a
Boer house for his own use, but, before oc
cupying it, he "ShoWered the building with
insect powder and 'drenched ii with eau
de cologne
How tired the people of England are be-
coming of such kid-gloved methods Of war
fare could be judged the other night,
when Sir E,veleyn Wood, the a6jutant gen
eral to the forces. who is notorousy in
fluenced by feminine advice, received a
hostile reception at the hands of such
broad-minded body the Institution of
Mechanical Engineers.
Somewhat on these lines, Sir Claude NJ.
Macdonald the British minister to China,
is coming in for criticism. Ii is frequently
said that he is a better hand at afternoon
teas than in preserving the empires inter
ests in China. local paper at Tien Tsin
oEce said it was evident Sir Claudcs motto
was
II do not care what he flag is so long
she is fair"
1t is not generally known that last Sep
tember Sir Claude Macdonald was suffering
SO much from heart disease and other COM
plications that he could scarcely walk a
hundred yards.
Social GasSty Revived.
Real social gaety reigned this week for
the first time this season. Heretofore the
festivities have been few and far between
and of rather forced order. But during
the last few days. what with the arrival of
the Khedive of Egypt bazaars, entertain
ments, the state concert and countless din
ners, London has taken on its old-time as
pect for this time of the year
The Americans here have taken a con-
spicuous share in the festivities. Mrs.
Mackay's house, which had long been
closed on account of mourning in the fam
lily, was reopened Thursday with concert.
Mrs. Mackay received her guests at the top
of the historic staircase, which once in
an Italian palace. She was dressed simply
in black, her ornaments consisting of a few
costly black pearls. With her was her
daughter, the Princess Colonna, and her
daughter-in-law Mrs. Clarence Mackay,
who was much admired, in white and silver
with mauve orchids and diamond tiara
with turquoise points. Most of the notable
persons in English and American society
We're present. including Mr.. and Mrs. Brad
ven and Hesketh, the Dowager Lady Straf-
ford. Mrs. Padelford and Mrs. Moreton
FreWen.
Mr. William Waldorf Astor, who also
lives in Carlton House Terrace, gave a
musicale the same night at which his
numerous guests heard Nine. Calve and
PaderewSki
Dinner Party to Wales.
The most lavish entertainment of the
week, however, was Mrs Bischoff- -Sheim's
dinner party for the Prince of Wales We'd
nesday. The papers announce that it cost
over $4,000 1t began with dinner which
was not over until II and ended with a
supper While royalty feasted a japanese
troupe, which came here from New York
on its way to the Paris exhibition, but
which seems in no hurry to go there, per-
formed three plays in large tent erected
in the garden. The prince, the Duke of
York and Prince Christian, with their
hostess and her daughter, occupied the
center seats in the front row. Among the
invited guests were the Duke and Duchess
of Devonshire, Lady Randolph Churchill,
Mrs. George Keppel, Lady CRANKY, Mrs
William James and Mr.. and Mrs. William
Grenfell.
Mrs. ChOate's Reception.
The afternoon reception of Mrs. Joseph
H Choate wife of the United States am
bassador, was as crowded ever. Many
Americans were present, including Mr.. J.
j. Van Allen, who has just returned from
a trip to South Africa, and Mrs Ronalds.
Lady Randolph Churchill is seen almost
everywhere and has been constantly con-
gratula ted with varying degrees of sinceri-
ty on her approaching marriage to Lieut..
Cornwallis West, and the announcement
that the young lieutenant had been ordered
back to South Africa came as surprise.
Society believes 1t Is one more sign what
high and mighty influences are still work.
ing against the match. foremost among
them being, 1t is said, the Prince Of Wales.
Another American woman seen at al
most all the most fashionable entertain
ments is the Duchess of Marlborough, who
is wearing the Vanderbilt pearls and mas
sive diamond coronet. In pale blue satin
with pink roses she was quite the belle
of the state concert.
Among the prettiest Of those who took
part in the children's private theatricals
got up by Princess Louise for the benefit
Of the widows Of Highlanders killed in