The San Francisco call., 1904-06-05

pointment as Lord Waroen or the
Cinque Ports is generally regarded as
evidence that he viii not again return
TO India as viceroy despite semi-o1i-
cia1 denials Although the functions of
the once high and mighty Office OF
Lord Warden have long been merely
nominal, one OF its requirements is that
its recipient should reside for a speci-
6ed period Of each year at the Official
residence, Walmer Castle. That obli-
cation would seem 10 debar Lord Cur
Eon from retaining at the same time
the position Of Viceroy Of India as the
job Of governing that empire is too big
one 10 be undertaken by an absen-
tee.
The Lord Warden Of the Cinque
Ports Give Ports has what in Amer
ica would be called a soft snap" He
has nothing TO do and Walmer Castle,
with its massive battlements facing
seaward and its base washed by the
channel spray, is a delightful place in
which to take life easily during the
summer months. II is situated on the
Kentish coast. some miles north Of
Dover, one Of the original Cinque
Ports. the other four being Sandwich,
EIythe Romney and Hastings. In the
old turbulent days Of English history
before England had an established
navy these seaports had TO provide
ships with which TO repel a possible
invasion. Then and for some centuries
later the post of Lord Warden was one
Of great Importance and power. But
when England had learned to rely on
the guns Of her navy. instead Of i'm
pr0vised fleets and coast defenses, TO
keep foreign foes at bay. the office was
gradually shorn Of its authority and
has long been z merely ornamental
one.
POSITION OF HONOR.
Under these changed conditions ap-
pointment TO il came TO be regarded
as a special mark Of royal favor and
appreciation Of services rendered the
state II is this which makes the be
stoWal Of the Office on Lord Curzon a
hattering one. and 10 some extent also
it may be regarded as further proof Of
the Kings wei known partiaIity for
American women and American wives
But II is no secret IN court circles
that for while not long ago, Lady
Curzon was persona non grata" with
his Majesty. This was due to the fact
NLdL IGEItlIlt OF lMQlds Ldue AtuA
zon counted too much on the dignity
which her husbands rank conferred
upon her and even went TO the length
Of claiming and taking precedence of
feminine royalty in the person Of the
Duchess Of Connaught. the Kings sis
ter-in-law.
The Duke and Duchess were, Of
course. guests OF the Viceroy ar the
fsr IS that
when assembling for dinner or any
function. Lady Curzon frequently kept
her guests waiting for her, including
and that is where court etiquette was
violated-the Duchess of Connaught
Also. which was worse, that when she
arrived she would take the Duke Of
Connaughts arm and head the pro-
cession 10 the banquet hall or the ball
room. or whatever apartment was TO
be the scene Of the festivities. Nov,
say those who are versed in the high
and mighty mysteries of etiquette as
appertaining 10 royalty. this was tan
tamount TO assuming that she was the
first lady In the land, whereas her Of
fetal position as wife Of the VicerOy
was merely that Of his first subject.
and the Duchess Of Connaught as the
representative Of the reigning Emper-
OF should have been accorded preced-
ence over her. Wherefore, IL is
declared. those who beheld Lady Cur
IONS conduct were shocked and hor-
rifed at the presumption Of the Chi
cago girl Tidings Of II reached King
Edward and ruf1ed the serenity Of his
temper. for though ordinarily easy
going enough. his Majesty is a great
stfckler for the observance Of all forms
that sustain the dignity Of royalty,
which In these days has so little real
authority left II. However. the fact
that the King IS to stand sponsor to
the latest Curzon baby is regarded by
society as proof that the affront to
royalty has been forgiven. Perhaps
Lady Curzon promised TO keep her
self better posted in future on the
mysteries Of court etiquette. particu-
larlv that most important department
Of 1.-THE order Of precedence
MANY NOTABLE OCCUPANTS.
Built in the reign Of Henry VIII as a
fortress. but largely added to as years
went on. Walmer Castle has had many
distinguished lord wardens, among
them William Pitt. the great Duke of
Wellington. the Earl Of Granville and
the late Lord Salisbury, who, by the
way. is said TO have taken the office
in order that he might be entitled to
q salute Of guns-an honor which pos
session OF the Premiership did not
carry with il.
The Duke Of Wellington was Lord
Warden Of the Cinqre Ports from 1929
until his death in 1852, and spent the
autumn Of each year at Walmer. For
visitors TO the castle the chief object
Of interest is the Dukes bedroom.
where he died. Lord wardens may
come and 90, make what additions
they please TO the castle, set up their
own furniture and fixings and house.
hold goods, but that bedroom il has
been decreed must remain as long as
the destroying tooth Of time viii per-
mit in the same condition as when
EngIand's greatest soldier occupied il.
Presenting a striking contrast to the