New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-15


Baroness Emily Hslkett whose engagement to
the Hon Alfred Nelson Hood. younger son of Lord
Brldport Duke of Bronte. has Just been announced.
is a sister OF the late Baron Hugh Halkett, who a
year or so prior TO his death the other day in South
Africa, was divorced In the English courts by his
american wife, Sarah. eldest daughter of Arson
Phelps Stokes, of New-Yerk. The divorced Baroness
Halkett now makes her home in this country, and
leads secluded and retired life in the Adron-
dacks. where she has built for herself lodge.
Inc Halketts are an old Ffeshire family that
was already in possession of it's estate of Ptfrrane.
near Dunfermline. in the year 1887. Until a few
weeks ago its chief was Sir Arthur Halkett eigh-
teenth baronet of his line, the baronetcy having
been conferred in 1897 and ii was he who headed
the agitation at the time of the coronation in favor
ol place IN the ceremony being accorded the
order of Baronets. He died the other day. and.
both his son and his grandson had died before him
the baronetcy has become extinct. the Baron Hal
ketts. whose title is a Hanoverian one being de-
seconded from branch of the family which parted
from the parent tree prior to the grant Of the
oaronetcy, and, therefore not in the line of sue
cession to the baronetcy. Pithrrane and the
tates. however pass to Sir Arthur's eldest daugh-
Ter. and II is possible that If she were 10 marry
she might obtain permission for her husband 10
assume her fathers name.
The Baron Halketts their Hanoverian title
OF baron TO the military prowess of General Sir
Hugh Halkett who in the days when England and
hanover were subject to the same king belonged to
the English and Hanoverian army and greatly
distinguished himself the battle of Waterloo 1t
was to him that General Cambronne. commanding
the Imperial Guard. made that historic but ex-
ceedingly coarse answer when asked to surrender.
which did not however. prevent his eventually
being taken prisoner by Sir Hugh. The latter set
tied down In Hanover at the close of the war and
when In 1887 Hanover separated from England
at the time of the accession of Queen Victoria to
the British throne. and of her uncle. Duke Ernest
of Cumberland to that of Hanover. he threw in his
lot with the latter He left number of children.
his sons all serving in the English Army, with the
exception OF the eldest. Colin his successor. who
died as colonel of Hanoverian Hussars and
aide-de-camp to the late King OF Hanover
Baroness Emily HaIkett, who is about to marry
Alfred Hood is his daughter. and the present chief
of the family is her only surviving brother. Baron
Colin Halkett- lie is still unmarried. and If he
dies without issue this branch OF the Halkett fam
lily will become extinct like tho senior line.
Alfred Hood, the future husband of Baroness
Emily. has been wine merchant and like
wise the chief of the household of the late Duchess
Of Teck. and is at the present moment private
rotary to the duchesss daughter, the Princess of
Wales. He has charge of the extensive Sc!lian
estates OF his father old Lord Bridport. and
throughout the greater part of the year makes his
home there in the castle of Maniace, at Bronte.
magnificent old place on the slopes of Mount Etna
the vauted gateway giving entrance TO the court
yard being more than a thousand years old Will
tam II OF Sicily grandson OF the great Roger, was
the extensive estates OF Bronte were presented by
King Ferdinand II of Sicily to the great Admiral
Lord Nelson along with the title OF Duke of
Bronte. in token OF gratitude for all he had done
for him and for his Queen during the Napoleonic
wars.
Lord Rridport inherited these from his mother
the only child of William the brother of Admiral
Nelson, who succeeded him in his hOnors and
dignities, and who created Earl Nelson. on
his death his italian honors and estates went to
his daughter Charlotte. who married the late Lord
Brdport while the earldom OF Nelson passed to his
sisters son. along with the Trafalgar estate and
the perpetual pension Of $4,000
Alfred Hood attracted n good deal of attention
time ago 10y refusing to submit to the eXtor-
ton OF the Malta in Sicily and was called upon 10
sustain full fedged siege at the castle OF MANAGE
which lasted several days. the bandits being event
uaIly driven back with heavy losses by the well
directed fire OF Alfred Hood and some young Eng
IiShmen who staying with him. Unless am
much mistaken. Marion Crawford. the novelist. has
embodied this sensational incident of Sicilian life
i'm one of his novels dealing with the Sicilan Malta
MARQUISE DE FONTENOY.