New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-21
THE AMERICAN BENTINCKS
Branch Of the DucaL House of Port
land Established IN This Country.

Inquiries have reached me with regard 70 the
American branch OF the nlustri IS European house
OF Bent.7ck. which occupies a conspicuous part in
those pages OK the Almanach dc Gotha that are
devoted 10 the nediatized or formerly sovereign
families q Germany, and 70 the English and senior.
though not rnediatzed. branch OF which the Duke
OF Portland is the chief. These Inquiries have
evidently been called forth BY the death not long
age at -Iarthasvie. 40. at the OF ninetysix'
q Countess WlhelUjrs Bentinck, widow or
Count William BCLt.CCE who died at St Louis
nearly half century ago. leaving three children
two daughters and son. Count William, and
consequently his children and grandchildren, are
descended from a younger OF the first Lord
Portland, who accompanied his master, William
Prince OF Orange 20 England, and on Williams
accession 20 the throne as British King was raised
by the latter 20 the British peerase as Earl OF
Portland. Il may be remembered that he won his
royal masters goodwill by nursing him in the
most devoted fashion through attack OF small
pox, catching the malady himself and being
frlghtfuIly disGeured thereby for life.
Lord Portlcud's second son. William, married
the only daughter and heiress of Anthony. Count
OF Oldouburg and sovereign Lord OF Knyphausen.
their son Christian succeeding TO his mothers
sovereignty. which passed at his death TO his
eldest son. Count William Gustavus The latter mar
RED as IFS first wife d Baroness Lynden, and sub
seruc-tIv after her death peasant girl, daughter
Of one OF his farmers who had already presented
him with two sons His union with this farmers
daughter. who bore the name OF Gardes, vas not
ratified by the Church until ISl5: that Is TO say.
several years after the birth Of his boys. But ne
declared that his union TO h,r prior 30 that time
had been one q conscience" IA fact NOR
s-rr1t.c alliance, and that his sons were therefore
legitimate. This view contested at his death
by his younger brother. General Count John Charles
Beatiack OF the British Army. and the great
Ecntinck succession lawsuit. which lasted for more
than a quarter OF q century. ensued. the decision
bong ultimately glven against the sons OF Count
Wiuiam Gustavls by his peasant wife. On she
ground that. Il rot actually Legitimate, as as
serted 81 the English 'Peerages," notably by
Burke they were at any rate norganatic. Ihs
eldest OF these sons. William Frederick by name
EN- grated with his mother 20 this country and set
t-e5 in St Louis. where he married q relative OF
his mother bearing the name Of Gcrdos i Is this
lady whose death has recently taken place. In
spite OF the doubtful character CT her husbands
birth Re ana his children appear as ordi-
nary but not Inediatized Counts and Countesses
Bertlrok IN tie German standard works Of refer
erce. ard are recognized as such by the German
government. The sovereignty OF hnyphausen and
q varel was purchased by the Grand Duke OF
Qldea5urs ia ls5z. from the successful claimants,
the first cousins or the St louis Count Bentinck,
and they accordingly fgure IN Part II OF the Al
uaanach de Gotha as representing the mediatized.
or formerly sovereign, branch Of the Anglo-Aneri-
can-DUtch-German house Of BentincS.
Much speculation prevails as 20 tho disposition
which is likely TO be made OF Gloucester House,
at Park Lane and Piccadiily, with windows on both
OF these famous th0r0ughfares, which has been the
London residence OF the late Duke OF Cambridge
Tor so many years. Contrary 70 general belief
IL does not belong 70 the Crown, but was the pTi-
xate property q the Duke, TO whom II was BE-
aueathed by his aunt, the royal Duchess OF
Gloucester. whose husband. the Duke OF Glouces-
ter had purchased 1t from Lord Eigin. after selling
10 the Marquis of Westminster what is now known
as Grosveuor House. the town mansion OF the
Duke OF Westminster. Gloucester House IS hIieo
from cellar 10 garnet with art treasures, including
some magnificent pictures. and a wonderful coz
,ect,o, 81 ieveIled snunboxes, many Of them dat
ing from the eighteenth century. and painted
Nv the leading rnlniaturists OF the day The apart
-entg II old fashioned are very stately. and con-
trast pleasantly with those Of the more modern
palaces OF the new rich. Gloucester House IS one
of the few great mansions IN London where electric
TrrN has never been admitted and where gas IS
merely tolerated below stairs and IN the servants
quarters Everywhere else tho lighting has been
done until now By means OF wax candles, so dear
10 o1r fo~ebears The house Is altogether too pala-
tai q mansion. and likewise much too costly one
10 admit OF ts being retalred by any % the Dukes
sons and q IS considered probable that Il viii be
speedily placed on the market and probably pass
into the possession Of Sir Ernest Cassel. J. Pier
pout- Morgan or some other Inult-rniuionaire who
likes London life.
Had the late Queen Victoria taken into account
public continent IN connection with her marriage
she would assuredly have given her hand 20 George
Of Cambridge rather than to Albert Of Coburg IN
$50 George was IN those days exceedingly popu-
lar rot only with the classes, but likewise with
the masses IN Great Britain He was dashing.
handsome and thoroughly English. besides being
devoted 10 his cousin Victoria, and avowedy
sutton for her hand II due 20 the influence
Of the Queens uncle and mentor. the late King
OF the Belgians, that his nephew. Albert OF Co
burg was preferred in Georges stead. and there IS
no doubt that much OF the IN viii with which the
late Prince Cousort was confronted during the
early years Of his marriage or the part OF the peo-
pie OF his adopted land was due to the impression
that ne had cut out George Of Cambridge. Queen
Victoria has often been blamed, and unjustly so.
for declining 10 sanction Duke George OF Cam
bridges union with Miss Farebrothsr. But she
could not have done 20. even II she had wished Il.
IN those days since Il would have placed the Dub
lin actresses children IN the line Of succession not
only to the throne OF Great Britain, but likewise
10 the crowns OF Brunswick ana OF Hanover, which
IN those days was an independent kingdom.
Tho late duke was exceedingly fond Of music and
Il Is 70 him that the English army IS Indebted for
the excellent bands with which nowadays every
regiment is provided Before he became command
CT IA chief the bandmasters were as a rule civil
ians and the bands played what music they
pleased. what instruments and at what pitch
they liked TIE duke on becoming head II the
army changed all this and founded the institution
at KncIer Hall where ali the bandmasters and
bandsmen now receive their training al the ex-
pense OF the government. Down 20 a few years
ago the duke habitue OF the OPERA ard the
only member Of the royal family who used 20
manifest preference for the enjoyment Of the per-
Torrance from the orchestra seats stalls in
stead OF from the boxes. In his mature age his
Interest IN the opera vas cf sedate character;
but IN his youth 81 was OF a more enthusiastic
nature. and he IS record having one
memorable night away hack IN 1910 Jumped from
the omnibus box onto Tire stage. and waving his