The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-01-04
MRS. F|SKE, MRS. LEMOYNE
AND OTHER ST AGE FAVORITES,
Some Interesting Gossip About Pretty
Women, Pretty Gowns and the
News of the Social H.
World.
BY ANNIE KENDRIcK WALKER.

~ r THE foreign news of the week
eROt that in which social interest has
has centered has been the cabled
descriptions of the Delhi Durbar, in which
an American woman has been the central
figure
AS yicerine of India, Lady Curzon, who
was formerly Miss Mary Letter of Chi
cago and Washington, has naturally
claimed the attention of her own country
at a time when the eyes of the world are
turned upon the Orient. 1t Is not, how
ever, the splendor of the Durbar that has
FIRST revealed Lady Curzon's personality,
for 1t Is well known that of the Ameri-
lean women whose marriages have won
for them some Of the greatest titles Of
England, that no one has worn her honors
smore gracefully than Lady Curzon.
With the appointment of her husband
las viceroy of India Lady Curzon has had
an opportunity presented to few Ameri-
can women of residing in the midst Of
Oriental splendor in a country whose
court is without a parallel in magnifi-
icence.
The official opening of the Durbar-the
state gathering held to celebrate the ac-
cession of King Edward as Emperor Of
India, and the succeeding events have
been marked with such Formally and are
so unrivaled in sumptuousness that Lady
Curzon's role is doubtless an arduous ono,
although she is well schooled in the eti-
quette of courts.
The picture drawn by the newspaper
correspondents of Lady Curzon seated by
the side of her husband on the largest
elephant In India and riding at the head
of an elephant procession, would seem
amusingly homogeneous were 1t not for
the glittering pageant presented by the
gorgeously caparisoned animals.
The ''howdah," or chair In which Lady
Curzon was seated was of silver and gold
and the elephant Is said to have been al
most hidden beneath a gold-worked sad
die cloth. The footmen, In scarlet and
gold liveries, and the glitterng procession
winding its way along street lined by
British and native troops suggests to the
mind some wondrous dream of the Orient
rather than a latter day pageant with an
American woman as the conspicuous fig
ure.
Delhi has for weeks been the Mecca for
vast throngs, and owing to the lack of
space every Eastern princess and their
suits are accommodated In tents erected
on the grounds surrounding Delhi. The
correspondents declare these tents rival
the beautiful houses of London in de-
corative display.
The word ''Durbar" Is of Persian origin
and is applied to regal or vice-regal GER
monies In India Delhi, which Is one OF
the most progressive cities in India, bases
its claim as worthy of the durba- upon
tradition. 1t is the one city selected by
the emperors of India for their state func-
tons, all of which has served in no way
to effect the titled ladies of India In their
decision in regard 20 courtesing to the
present vicerine.
If the truth was known, Lady Curzon
is probably delighted at the conclusion
reached, for who will doubt but that she
would willingly dispense with an elephant
or two. a few ccurtesies from court beau
ties and even the fanfane of the trumpet
ers.
The durbar will be officially over on
Saturday, the celebrations to include
state ball which will be attended by 5000
guests and will be held In the Mogul Pal
ace In the apartment called "Dewan-i-
An" QIall of the Common People, The
supper after the ball will be held In the
+'Dewan-i-Khas." palace of the Sc
lected) This room was formerly Shah
Jehans harem. 1t is one of the most
sumptuously decorated of all the rooms