The Washington times., 1903-11-29

As child she had accompanied her
parents to London and the Continent
and before entering society she made a
prolonged tour of Europe Returning
to Washington, she made her debut ir
the city on the Potomac in the winter
OF 1883. Her social triumphs began in
the old mansion just OF Dupont Circle
which was built by the late James c.
Blaine and which is now the home of
Mrs Westinghouse. but which was ten
anted at that time by the Letters. The
house had previously been the scene of
some brilliant entertainments, but they
paled in comparison 10 the hospitaIi-
ties of the Letters. and soon it began
70 be whispered about that the re-
sourceful eldest daughter was really
the genius who was planning and d.
recting these entertainments which were
nideence. Miss Letters social sponsors
were Ward McAllister. the well-known
arbiter Of tie Four Hundred. and Mrs.
Grover Cleveland, wife of the Presi-
dent. The friendship Of the latter she
enjoyed in the fullest degree, and the
society belle frequently spent the week
end at the Cleveland country home, just
outside Washington. Finally the Lei
ters built their costly new mansion on
Dupont Circle-the home which the
family yet occupies-and this constitut-
ed yet another feather in the cap of
the clever Miss Mary. for it was ac-
inowiedged that che had much to do
with planning the house. and still more
to do with its furnishing.
Debut in London in 1894.
Miss Mary Letter had mingled a little
in London society during her earlier
visits. but it was not until the season
OF 1894 that she made her debut there.
She then made her formal bow to the
smart worlc OF England under the
ehaperonage of the American ambassa-
dor and Mrs. Bayard. old friends of the
family. Among the clever young men
who were Immediately attracted to the
newcomer was George Nathaniel Cur
zon, a rising politician, under secretary
OF state TO Lord Salisbury ana a noted
author and traveller. Young Mr.. Curzon
proved to be, for an Engllshman, a very
ardent wooer. and it was not long until
the engagement was announced.
Although the go-ahead young English
man who had won the heart of this
American girl was not then possessed
Of a title Miss Letter was allying her
self with a very old ana interesting
family. The founder, Giraline de Cur
zon, came with the conqueror from
France-where a collateral branch is
stin represented by Vicomte de Curzon.
Of BeauvaA, in Brittany-and his name
has a place in the roll of Battle Abbey.
He received the manor of Lockinge.
Berkshire. and his son Richard obtained
later grant of the manor Of Kedie-
ston, which has remained the ancestral
home Of the Curzons until the present
time. period Of more than eight CEN
turies. This will explain why the vice
roy when he was made a peer. chose 10
be Lord Curzon of Kedleston. His crest
shows the family popinjay with soaring
wings and has the suggestive motto.
Let CUrzon hold what Curzon held"
Lord Curzon of Kedleston.
Lord Curzon was born forty-four years
ago at Kedleston Han anG Is the Oldest
son ane heir Of Lord Scs=sdale fourth
baron of the name and rector of Ked-
lesion. l-evd Curzon's mother died in
1870. kedlestou Han Is on the site where
eight hundred years. ago stood the