New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-05-21
a FRIENp Al CorRr.

$50
German Embassy, who is still detained at WASH
ington by the illness of his wife, will leave there
as soon as she is sufficiently recovered to travel
and proceed to Berlin in order to take up his
duties at the Department of Foreign Affairs left
vacant by the resignation Of old Baron Holstein.
The office is that of counsellor intrusted with the
direction Of the political and personal bureau,
without exception the most important OF all the
offices of the department 1t Is the bureau which.
subject to the subsequent approval Of the Chan
cellor and Of the Kaiser. suggests and Celebrates
foreign policies, and which keeps track Of them.
and 1t is the bureau which likewise selects. also
subject to the approval of the Kaiser and Of the
Chancellor. the ambassadors, the ministers and
the agents intrusted with the execution OF the
policy It the possession Of this post which
rendered Baron Hostein the most powerful and In
fuential Of permanent officials in the service Of
Germany, and there is doubt that Baron Bussche
will, far ability is concerned. live UP to the
traditions OF his much feared predecessor.
From American point OF view it must be
particularly agreeable feel that a so
warmly attached to this country Baron Bussche.
who has many warm friends here and who Is
possessed Of much knowledge and enthusiasm
regarding everything American. should be destined
henceforth to have important voice in the
shaping of the foreign policy Of the TeutOn en-
pire It may be added that both Baron Sternburg
and Baron Bussche are personal appointees Of the
Emperor for their respective posts; that is to say
he selected them on the strength Of his knowledge
Of their qualities and characteristics.
QUEER PRIVILEGE OF LORD KINGsALE.
Michael do Courcy whose impending marriage
to Miss Constance Woodhouse. daughter Of Surgeon
Colonel Woodhouse, of the British army, has just
been announced. is the only and heir Of Lord
KingsaIe. The latter thirty-thrd Of his line. is
the premier baron Of Ireland, and enjoys the
hereditary privilege OF wearing his hat in the
presence of the sovereign. The Kingsale paeraSe
is one of the most ancient in Great Britain. It's
creation dating back to the twelfth century. 1t
King John. of sorry memory. who granted
TO the chief of the De Courcy family the queer
privilege OF remaining covered in the presence OF
the sovereign, under the following circumstances;
The Sir John de CourCy Of that Gay. who seems
to have been a sort of Hercules. had been i'm
prisoned by the King in the Tower of London and
his estates cOnfscated when King Philip Angus
tus Of France made an offer to the English mon
arch 10 settle a dispute which had arisen between
the two concerning the DUchy Of Normandy by
single combat. each monarch to provide his own
champion. King John VAS so unpopular that ne
could find British nobleman willing 10 act as
his champion until no bethought himself OF Sir
John de Courcy. who was prevailed upon TO under
take the task II Is related that when everything
was prepared for the contest. in the presence OF
the kings of England. France and Spain. the
French champion catching sight Of the gigan-
tic proportions of his Enssh-or rather. Irish-ad-
versary. was seized with panic put spurs 10 his
morse and fled from the arena. whereupon the VIC
tory was adjudged by reclamation TO the champion
OF England.
The French and Spanish kings. being informed
of the great strength of the English champion and
desiring TO witness soma exhibition OF it, De Cour-
cy. at King Johns request. cleft a massive steel
helmet full faced with mail" in twain with a
single blow OF his sword, which cut deeply into
the block II wood which the helmet had been
set that nobody present but himself could draw
tho weapon out again Tho sword with which this
blow was struck. az we'll lie Ccurcy's arTnor.
is on exhibition to this day in the Tower of Lon
dor.
King John was so delighted with this perform
ance that he not only restored to his champion his
estates but likewise told him to ask anything
within his gift and 1t should be granted To which
De Courcy replied that he desired that he himself
and his successors might have the privilege their
first obeisance beiug made. to remain covered in
the presence of the sovereign. and OF all future
kings ~ England. which request was Immediately
conceded.
Atmericus. tvrenty-thlrd Lord Kingsale in 1882 in
observance of the ancient privilege OF MS hoaSe'
appeared in the presence OF Kirg William III COW
cred and when that monarch expressed surprise
al this apparent dscourtesy. explained Sire. Ny
name is De Courcy. I am Lord Of kingsale' IN
v6ur uaiAstv's kingdom Of ireland. and the reason
Of my appearing covered n y Uul ~ nv faniIv
granted Sir John De Courey Earl OF GisteL; aS
the privilege and giving the lord his hand TO kiss
the peer paid TO his obeisance, domns MS nat anu
The present Lord Kngsale is the thirty-third OF
his line and. like most OF his immediate PIe1e-
cessors is poor. Indeed his entire income u oe-
rived from his managing drectorship OF tne la0Idn
the Hon. Robert De COurcy was untll ne Eee' ,L
inherited an annuity OF 5000 year. one OF thS
saloon stewards Of the Peninsular and Orlental
steamships running between England and Austraha,
welding in addition 10 his napkin cornet aso -
a member Of the ships band. The poverty OF tue
De Courcys il nothing new. for Horace Walpole, 70
letter written 1862 refers to the Lord ktne4ale
Of the day, unable 10 assume bis privilege ut re-
naming covered since ''tiil the King gives MN a
pension he cannot buy the offensive hat
MARQUIS DE FoSTENoE.