New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-07

The Duke OF Leeds who has been so badly in
jured while out hunting in the shires. bears title
which is Of especial interest to people in this
try. as the seventh duke the first peer of his
rank 10 marry American girl. namely. Louisa.
daughter OF Richard Cation. Of Maryland and
granada lighter Of Charles Carroll of Carrollton.
She died in 1874. and the earliest of American
women to wear the strawberry-leaved coronet Of
an English duchess.
The present, and ninth duke derives his principal
income from the manufacture of gin, and is the
mana gng and principal partner Of the leading firm
Of gin distillers in England the principal distieres
OF the so-called gin duke being situated in the
Deptford district Of London He is descended from
that London apprentice boy who according to tradI-
ton saved his masters daughter from drowning
received as his reward the hand Of the girl whom he
had rescued. and eventually became the partner
and heir OF his father-in-aw, a of the name Of
Hewitt. who reputed one OF the wealthest mer-
chants in the City Of London This fortunate ap-
prentice became in time Sir Edward Osborne and
Lord Mayor OF London. He bought ancient
house and sent his boys thither with
their mother The elder boy dutifully obeyed when
summoned to his lessons morning in a turret
that anked the building but the younger lettering
happened TO light upon cat with which he de-
lighted TO play. and crept after her to catch her
under heavy table in the room, the table being
covered with a carpet hanging down the floor"
The minute. the story continues, "a terrible
rush OF wind overthrow the tUrret in which the
elder boy and his tutor a work. crushing them
death Surprising that both her we're there.
Lady Osborne fell into commissions One OF the
maids. subsequently running in a distracted manner
from room TO room in the unintured portion Of the
mansion. caught sight of small boy peepng from
under the table with in his arms. Snatching
him up she carried him of TO his mother the little
fellow exclaimng. pray thee, do not whip me -
It is from this boy. who owed his life TO a cat
that the Duke Of Leeds is descended. and it is
rather ungrateful the part of the Osborne fam
lily that they should not have comrnemorated this
service rendered TO the family by in their
armorisI bearings. in the manner adopted by the
earls Of Derby and the dukes Of Lenster. The
monkey on the latters coat-ofarns is there to re-
call the rescue OF the heir Of the FitZgerads in
olden times from the burning castle by a pet
monkey. while. according to tradition one of the
ancestors OF Lord Derby saved in the same
way by an eagle and cared for in the latter's nest
along with its young eaglets.
The dukedom Of Leeds is ancient as
dukedorns go the first duke having been Lord High
Treasurer Of England in the reign OF King William
III 1t is relatively poor peerage and it IS only
the large income which the present duke derives
from his gin distilIeries that enables him to sup
port his title with BETTING dignity He has but
one country seat namely Horribly Castle, down in
Yorkshire II is a fine castellated structure with
an ivy n1antIed tower. has been in the possession
Of the Osborne family for three hundred years ana
stands in a fine park Of several thousand acres
The duchess sister OF Lord Durham, is an ez-
ceedingIy clever and brilliant who has
published several books. including one which went
through a number OF editions, entitled "Capriccios.
Although she has no fewer than four daughters
one Of whom made her debut this year she has only
one boy born two years ago. who bears the cour-
resv title OF MARQUIS Of Carmarthen. by which his
father who is one OF the wittiest and most wide
awake members OF the peerage. was known until
his accession to the dukedonl. Let me add that ne
has m American blood in his veins, as the sew
eDth duke who married Miss Cation. left no issue.
C-,,-iousIy enough the marriages Of her two sis
4ers one Of whom married the eighth Lord Stat
ford and the other the first Marquis Wellesley
cider brother of the great Duke of Wellington also
remained chiIdess.