The Washington times., 1906-07-15
REID STIRS IRE
Of ENGLISH DUKE
Exclusive NObleman Does
Not Relish Ambassadors
Unbidden Visit.
ON FORBIDDEN TERRITORY
American Was Anxious to See Private
Zoo and Was Held Up by Bed
fOrd's Gatekeeper.

LONDON. July 1.-THE county fami-
lies in Bedfordshire spend their timo
discussing the doings Of the American
and Mrs. Whitelaw Reid at
Wrest Park. their country residence,
where Mr.. and Mrs. LCngworth spent a
weekend
Just before the visit Of the Long
worths Mr.. and Mrs. Whitelaw Reid
motored over 10 Woburn Abbey, the
seat OF the Duke Of Bedford, the most
exclusive nobleman IN England. who has
not, for some unexplained reason, ever
called upon the Reids. Mr.. Reid was
anxious to see the dukes private zoo.
but he was turned back from the gates
after traversing a private road, which
is absolutely forbidden 10 all by the
duke.
Undaunted by this rebuff. the ambas-
sador took Mr.. and Mrs. Longwortn
along the same private road determined
TO see the zoo. The gatekeeper again
refused and declined the ambassador S
preferred present Of gold. Then Mr..
Reid boldly went to the abbey itself and
introduced himself and the Longworths
10 tho duke, who courJeously took the
visitors round the zoo himself.
1t was not until very recently that
the Eatekeeper reported what had gone
before to the duke, who was and IS still
extremely angry with the American am
bassador for attempting TO view his
private grounds through the servants.
Theatrical Failures and Successes.
Even the great ReJane and Fascinating &
Hading have failed 70 draw really big
houses this season, and managers are
beginning 10 wonder II the legitimate
drama viii ever pay again Mr. Tree
has been successful financially this sea
son, but he is the only exception.
At al the leading JneateTs musical
comedy is played to crowded houses.
Cyril Maude's season was a frost" q"
and the American plays were dire fail
ures. Mrs. Patrick Campbelrs season
has been perhaps the most disastrous OF
all. The Hon. Mrs. Alfred Lyttleton,
who wrote The Macleans OF Bairpess'
for Mrs. Campbell, play which ran for
four nights, is so doWnhearted over her
failure that she has declared she VIII
not Try again.
IN fact. 1t may be said that only two
plays without music have succeeded at
aIl-namely, Mr.. Pinero's His House in
Order" and Miss Julia Nelson and
Fred Terrys Dorothy O the Hall"
The result of the prosperity IN musical
comedy may be seen any Sunday on the
Thames.
Ladies who were unheard of and lost
in the back rows of the chorus a year or
two ago appear in gorgeous raiment on
motor launches or can be seen driving
their own motor cars along the main
roads. The critics declare that many Of
these new stars" can neither act,
dance, nor sing. but they agree that
never before have so many pretty women
been seen on the musical comedy stage
as at present.
Fighting Over Title.
In these democratic days it strikes
many people as ludiCrOus that two no
blemen already loaded with titles should
quarrel officially over a title conferred
IN the fourteenth century.
At the coronation of King Edward,
the Duke Of Norfolk was challenged by
Lord Mowbray, Stourton, and Segrave
UO give him his fun title) 10 prove that
he was Earl as well as Duke of Nor
folk.
Aub Two ultn ult blu AIlEAluh anu Dotll
Roman Catholics, but Lord Mowbray is
determined TO be Earl OF Norfolk, q
name which carries with # the title
Of earl marshal Of England" Lord
Mowbray, whose family descends from
the Norfolk HOwards. declares that his
is the elder branch Of the family and
that the title Of Earl of Norfolk was
conferred upon his ancestor in 1872.
The Duke of Norfolk. although SO
simple and unaffected in manner and
dress than he has often been taken
for one OF his own gardeners. IS very
proud OF being the premier earl OF
England. so the two who belong to the
same great family are to fight It out
before the committee on privileges In
the house Of lords.
Prince Edwards Birthday.
Nothing pleased little Prince Edward.
the eldest son of the Prince OF Wales,
more on his twelfth birthday the other
dav. than the receipt of q number OF
American and Canadian picture post
cards sent anonymously to Marlborough
They are believed q have aGms fgQm