The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-06
Still another American Duchess will be

0d0eu 10 Inc ETEliluIlt SIoup tohPi aShe
the Dowager Duchess of Manchester,
the present Duchess OF the same title and
the Duchess Of Marlborough when Miss
May Goelet early in November becomes
the bride Of Henry John Innes Ker, eighth
Duke of Roxburghe. And the newest
Duchess, even in a greater degree thar
several OF the rest. has known from her
first introduction to society the most bril-
liant phases of the world here and abroad
Curiously enough. Miss Goelet made her
tentative bow to society, as 1t were, AT the
wedding OF her intimate friend, Consueo
Vanderbilt, to the Duke of Marlborough
in November, 1895. The youthful heiress
attracted attention then, although 1t was
not predicted that she would also wear
the strawberry leaf some day.
NAV Goelet's life has always been that
of a twentieth century fairy princess, who
in her present incarnation Is the daughter
OF the very rich American. She has all
the pleasures that any Princess OF the
bluest blood and the richest properties
can ENJOY, and she has had also freedom,
which the other Princess may not nave
however closely the lives OF American
girls may be modelled now after those OF
the titled women of Europe.
Miss Goelet born to wealth and position.
was brought up here among her nurses
and governeeses. Her younger brother
and she are the only children of the late
Ogden Goelet When she was only years
old she went abroad with a retinue OF Wallets,
maids and companions such as Americans
who travel much abroad had already begun
to carry about with them.
That was twenty years ago. Before that
time--in 1ssO-her father, who had always
been devoted to yachting, Joined the New
90 the youthful Miss Goelet began to taste
the luxury Of yachting at tender age
Her life then comprised the frequent Jour
neys to Europe, where her father delighted
TO stay, soJourns at Newport in his palace
there and periods Of home life In the city
house at COS Fifth avenue. During these
years she was preparing herself for such q
hieh social destiny as the world said was
inevitable.
Her mother was a Wilson, one OF the
daughters OF r. T. Wilson, who came to
New York with no large acquaintance in
the early '70s and saw his Oldest daughter,
Mary, become the wife Of the immensely
rich Ogden Goelet in 1877. his second daugh-
ter, Belle, marry the present British Am
bassador here, Sir Michael Henry Herbert,
In 1888, and his youngest daughter. Grace
become, In 1895. the wife OF Cornelius
Vanderbilt
Mrs Goelet was not born a Wilson for
nothing. SO those who saw the dark
eyed, petite bridesmaid at the Marlborough
wedding knew that although she was then
only II her future was to be socially bril-
liant, even though they did not suspect
that she was to be the bride OF so desirable
q Duke as Roxburghe.
Some Dukes have come to this country
with nothing more than their titles TO
recommend them. But that was not the
sort OF Duke for Miss Goelet.
With her French teachers and her music
teachers, her riding teachers and her COM
panion, she grew up to womanhood, Sc
cllded in her home as all girls Of her social
post ion are nowadays, with only the society
Of few girl friends who took part in some
Of her studies. There was, OF course. moth
ing like school for this little fairy princess
of New York, Newport, London, HON.
burg and the Riviera.
Two years after the Marlborough we'd
ding Ogden Goelet, always delicate, fell
Ill and died on his yacht at Cowes. and Miss
Goelet's social career came temporarily
TO an end after brief while in which she
had enjoyed the best that this country and
England have to offer the devotees OF
society. During the last few years OF his
life her father had begun to take a great
interest in English society and passed
quito as much time in London as he did
in his own land His career In England
was the most brilliant socially that any
American had known on the other
side OF the Atlantic. although II was prob,
ably eclipsed this summer by the tri-
umphal progress Of his relatives by mar.
riage, Mr.. and Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt
on the North Star.
Mr.. Goelet's social success in Europe
was aided greatly by his wife's charm.
The most tightly closed doors were opened
TO the family. Mr.. GoeIet had offered al
international cup for yacht racing in the
Mediterranean, which, in 1894. was won al
Cannes by the Prince Of Wales's cutter
Britannia He entert aimed the Prince late
on his chartered yacht, the Whyte Ladye
as she lay OF Nice, and it was said ther
that the Prince, now King Edward VII.
was to come here TO Newport as the CUES
OF the Goelets II is a fact that decorator
were one summer busy preparing a suite
OF APARTMENTS in 0chre Court at Newpor
which we're said to be intended for thu
use Of the royal visitor. But that projec
fell through, il ii was ever seriously con
templated.
Mr.. Goeet, however, entertained thu
future King at Wimborne House In Lon
don, which he had taken during the diamond
Jubilee, and in the two years that inter
vened between her introduction to 80
ciety and, her fathers death Miss Goele
met the most distinguished men and womel
in Continental and English life Anglo
mania takes 10 London the noblemen o
all the Continental countries who can afforC
to 10 there and are not too busy ut home
Then the Diplomatic Corps includes man!
notabities. Miss GOelet knew almos
all of these men Her intimate girl friend
were Pauline Aston and the twin daughter
Of Mrs% ogden Mills, who have lived il
Europe almost IA much as Miss Goelet.
In Newport, at Ochre Court, the beautiful
house built by Mr., Goelet in imitation of ,
noted French 81 aieau at the spacious
the Mediterranean, or in any English man
sion which Mr. Goelet might lease for hi
home there Miss GOee passed wo year.