New-York tribune., 1907-10-21
AMERICAN WIFE GENERALLY WINS.

While many Of the so-called international mar
riages result in matrimonial shipwreck. IT is worthy
of note that in almost every instance where re-
course is had TO the divorce court the decree is
granted In favor Of the American wife. The excep-
tons 10 this rule few and far between that
when they occur they naturally attract some at
tenton. That is why the dissolution Of the mar
riaEe of Sir Merrik and Lady Burrell last week in
London has been found worthy Of being cabled to
this country
Sir Merrk IS p scion Of Of tho oldest houses
in Europe. True. his baronetcy is Of relatively
modern creation. dating only from IVA. But the
BurreS an historic family. who claim descent
from BurreH. Goth who fourished in Barcelona
I'm the ninth century John BurreIl, a direct ances
tor. is on record as having fitted out shin and
equipped 4 company Of archers for his King in
1914. Ranulph BurreI. another direct ancestor Of
Sir Merrik. married the only daughter and heiress
OF Sir Walter Woodland who bore the Black
Princes banner at the battle OF Poctiers The
haronetcy was conferred. stated above, In 1774
upon Merrik Burre who governor of the
Bank OF England
The present baronet served as an officer of the
lst Dragons. He went through the Boer cam
pagn and almost lost his life three years ago
through the burning of Knepp Castle his grand
old place in Sussex Horsham. Knepp Castle
was one of the great feuda fortresses built by the
Braosi family to defend the six "rapes" OF Sussex
and was filled with art treasures. including a mag
nidCent collection Of pictures. and notably eight
fine Fobeins. all Of which destroyed IN the
flames
Sir Merrik. who IS very good looking young fell
low and universally popular. is rich in his own
right that financial considerations cannot have
weighed very heavily in his suit for Miss
Wilhelmina Ninans. and the allowance of $4,000 a
year. which was all that the couple received from
her father, Walter Winans, Of Baltimore is under
stood 70 have gone entirely IN Lady BurreiTs pin
money The Comtesse Henr! de Calord de Bearn,
princess de Chalals formerly Miss Beatrice
Winans, whose death has just taken place ~ ST.
petersburg where her husband one of the
secretaries Of the French Embassy. a first
cousin OF Lady BuTrcN. Sir MeTrks mother
a daughter Of Sir Robert Loder who left a fortune
Of some 100000, Of which she received a large
snare, which has gone to her son. The correspond
ent in the divorce case was Of Sir Merriks
oTotner officers, Captain King OF his regiment
Sir Merrik represents the senior branch Of the
Burrel family. junior line holds the peerage OF
Gwydyr. Lord Gwydyr. however. does not convey
the idea of anything young. For he has attained
the patTlarChal of ninety-scven, was ny. wears
old at the time Of the battle Of Waterloo and on
joys the distinction. probably unique OF being the
only person now living who actually present
at the coronation Of four English monarchs. When
a boy OF ten years old he went from the gardens Of
Gwydyr House, Whitehall. to the Speakers steps
at Westminster In his grandfather's state barge
manned by liveried oarsmen, and present in
Westminster Abbey when the crown was placed
on the head Of King George ". acting page OF
honor 10 his grandfather, the first Lord Gwydyr.
He witnessed the occasion OF toe corona tlon
banquet Of George IE, in Westminster Hall the
last appearance OF The royal champion. who, in
accordance with time honored tradition, rode into
the great hall, arrayed from head foot in steel
armor, 10 fling his gauntlet the floor before the
table at which The King was seated. with a cha
lenge Of mortal combat to all who dared to dispute
the Kings right to the throne. This picturesque
ceremony was omitted at the subsequent
tons of King William ", Of Queen Victoria and
Of King Edward, at all Of which the venerable
Lord Gwydyr was present.
In spite Of his great he is still able 20 move
about, occasionally visit the House OF Lords, Of
which he is certainly the Oldest member. while his
mind and memory remain wonderfully clear