Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-03-16
American Accessions Join in Bestowal Of
EnviOus Regard,
SUCCESSFUL RIVAL IS FROM SCOTLAND
Proud Distinction Falls to Her Who Least
Desires It.
MOST DEMOCRATIC OF THE SEYmoUUS
Outdoor sport Sc Her FavOrite Recrea-
tion, and She Prefers Athletic Coma
radeship to Indoor Functions
of the FashionabIes.

copyright, 1902, by Press Publishing CoD
LONDON, March 15.-(New York World
Cablegram-Special Telegram )-Coronstion
glories. which have already caused SO many
heartburnings among the nobility, promise
more complications in the matter Of prece-
tence.
The recent announcement that the duch-
ess Of Somerset, as the first feminine sub
Sect In the land Of King Edward VII, may
fare forth In the immediate wake of the
royalties on that momentous occasion, has
centered upon her the enyious regard of
oil the British duchesses, including, of
course, those wearers OF the strawberry
leaves imported from over the water
Were there duchess Of Norfolk, she
would outrank all others, for the proud
Howards trace their descent from the
Saxon Hereward and head the English peer
age. But the duke OF Norfolk's wife died
fifteen years ago and he has never married.
The duke of Somerset ranks next.
The duchess of Somerset is not Of English
birth, She comes from the land of the
heather and carries a soft burr in the turn
of her tongue, which in no manner de-
tracts from her many charms. She was
Susan Margaret McKinnon, daughter OF
Charles McKinnon, before she assumed a
corona, and one of the richest heiresses
In the British isles.
The duke is a landed 9proprietor who
counts his acres by the thousands. BY
actual count he is lord Of 25,40o. his estates
being among the most splendid in the coun-
Try. He Is now in his 56th' year.
The fact that there is no son gives the
duchess the right to the title Of BARN. one,
by the way, that she Is hardly Ikely to
claim.
Duchess is Democratic!
cratic In the whole Seymour 2or s farco.
as Il was formerly erittehl tS8shection.
She has q most winning and affable nature.
Is gracious without conAesce4sion, and pos
sepsed of q broad charity that argues an
optimistic view Of the world. Fashionabls
society has at no time had great sttraction
Tor her. and It is a humoro irony thai
the proudest distinctian ot Forthcoming
crowning OF the sovereign should fall to
the woman who least desires II.
Outdoor sport has at all times been her
favorite recreation. She rode wheel long
before the bicycle became fad of the
smart set She is also an excellent shot
and has been her husbands comrade In
many an expedition for big game.
The duchess has, as we'll, no mean repu-
tation as a literateur. Her name is familiar
as a magazine contributor and her account
OF the beautiful Dart, known locally as the
British Rhine, is accorded the best de-
scrlption OF that silver stream.
Lacking issue, the duke Of Somerset's
title will pass to his brother, Percy, whose
twin. Ernest. defrauded by a moment or SC
Of the succession, will hold only q cour-
tesy title. The dukedom, with that Of Nor
folk, is the only title of that rank thai
dates back to the days of Queen Elizabeth
Cons6ming Pride of Family.
As exemplIfyIng the consuming pride
which has been the besetting sin Of the
family, It is told OF Duke Charles, who livet
IN the reign of Charles II. that his secont
wife, an earl's daughter, once ventured Il
give him a tap with her fan. Madame
said he, my frst wife was a Percy, an'
she never presumed 70 take such a lib
erty." The second incumbent was only
Finch.
The duchess, should the priority OF ranl
be strictly followed, will have for her i'm
mediate associates as attendants ON he
majority, the duchess OF Beaufort. tn
duchess OF st. Albans and the duchess o
Leeds. While 1t has been definitely an
nounced that Queen Alexandra will have
quartet Of duchess In her train, there wa
rumor (the wish in some quarters doubt
less mothering the thoughD that she woul
choose the youngest four or the most beau
liful four. This would bring the America
duchess OF Marlborough into the covete
position with the duchess Of Sutherland
Westminster and Newcastle.
Those nearest the queen, however, do NO
believe that her punctilousness in the mat
ter OF court etiquette would permit her I
put aside the rights of precedence or be le
into what might be interpreted as an al
front to the highest nobility at the yer
outset OF her reign. Lady Marlborough, q
Baroness Conyers. will be entitled to
place among the interesting group Of peer
ssses In their own right at the fortheomin
coronation.~ OF these ladies. none has
more stately presence than Lord YarboE
ough's accepted wife and none will wea
the red robes OF ermine tippet with mol
perfect grace.
roortIAIr ron IAp0pcp,c MlEl