The San Francisco call., 1904-07-23
IN London's Social Whirl.
Special Correspondence OF The Call

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GARDEN. LONDON, July 1O.-May-
fair mammas with eligible daughters
and chaperones with fair aspirants for
matrimonial honors on their hands
have a grievance, for which they de-
clare the young American matrons
who figure so conspicuously in fash
ionable society are largely responsible.
Their specific complaint is that
debutantes are no longer invited TO
dances as Of yore and that in conse-
ouence their chances of contracting
desirable marriages are greatly dimln-
ished And they assert it is chiefly
the brilliant and bewitching young
American wives in the London social
world who set the example Of closing
the ballroom doors against young un-
married English girls. Having once
taken the field they hold ii against all
newcomers. 1t is they who dance and
give the dances for which invitations
are most eagerly sought. AS notable
among these are mentioned Lady
Essex, Lady Grey -Egerton and several
others. in whose trains, as attendant
satellites, are many young English
matrons. At their smart terpsichorean
functions young unmarried girls form
an inconspicuous minority, while their
brothers, who often regard dancing as
q "beastly bore" receive more invita-
tions than they can find time TO ac-
cept. Under such circumstances what
chance. asks the indignant British ma
trOn. has the demure little English girl
just out Of school against the bril-
liancy and dash Of the all-conquering
American woman in society?
The Duchess of Roxburghe is still
house hunting. She is now personally
known TO nearly every fashionable
real estate agent in London and has
earned the reputation of being the
stinest bargainer among all the Amer
ican ladies who have found their way
into the English peerage. She also
is fastidiOus TO the point of being al
most ridiculous" said a leading agent
who has some of the finest mansions
IN Mayfair and Belgravia on his
books. Why" he added. IF offered
her Buckingham Palace or Marlbor-
ough House she would find fault with
them. She wants all London con-
structed on the American principle"
It is thought likely the Duchess will
settle on house in Cavendish Square,
the owners OF IldISlOuS III lIlC
American colony in Mayfair are op-
posed TO any radical changes in the
internal construction Of their prop
critics. especially when they are only
required for short terms.
That expensive and brilliant weddings
do not always insure the continued
prosperity Of the young couples is
trusm that holds good from the high
s,,Tr- rrVr- 49,
riages have been more dazzling than
that OF Lady Peggy Primrose, the
daughter Of the Earl Of Rosebery, to
the Earl Of Crewe, yet within a few
years even these, lacking the where
withal to keep UP home Of their own,
have returned TO live with the brides
father.
Not In a generation would there be
such universal interest in the marriage
OF any one girl as that manifested in
Lady Peggy Primroses nuptials. Her
trousseau was an enormous one and the
order for her lingerie the largest with
one exception ever executed in Eng
land, or rather given in England, for 1t
was executed in the converts of Ire
land. The exception was the trousseau
Of Lady Peggy's mother, Miss Roths-
child, in which every article of wearing
apparel was multiplied by eight dozen.
The wedding was, of course, the func-
tion Of the season. presents from the
whole OF the upper ten thousand, in
cluding Queen Victoria, being showered
upon the happy pair. The ceremony
took place at Westminster Abbey in
the presence Of hundreds Of eager
guests and onlookers.
The Earl Of Crewe at the time Of his
marriage had daughters Of the same
age as his youthful bride, but he was
acknowledged by all the feminine crit
ics as being very handsome, besides
very young in spirit and by no means
old in years, and there was not the
slightest fear but that happiness for
both OF them was well assured.
Financial difficulties were not expect
ed, but a great deal of money was
spent in the doing up of the Earl Of
Crewe's house on Hill street, since
when things have gone wrong gener-
ally. There is talk Of unlucky specula-
tion on the Stock Exchange. To
straighten things out the Earl has sold
two estates in Yorkshire, given notifi-
cation that he is willing to dispose of
Wharnecliffe House, on Curzon street
(Which exactly faces the new house Of
the Duke and Duchess Of Marlborough,
and now, homeless. has taken his young
wife back TO her fathers, where there
is no fear but that they viii be able to
dwell IN peace and plenty Although
her mother was so extremely wealthy.
the Countess Of Crewe has but $500 a
year Of her own.
The greatest event Of the social sea-
son in London, so far as the smart
American colony is concerned. will be
Mrs. Frank Mackey's first dinner party
in her new home on Upper Grosvenor
street Although the house always has
been regarded as one Of the most hand
somely decorated mansions in London
it does not suit Mrs. Mackey. In re
decorating it for her initial function
she is going back to the Louis XIV Pc
Rod, and ia other ways the company
invited viii witness new departure in