The sun., 1908-02-09
ENGLISH WOMEN In POLITICS
GREAT LADIES AND SUFFRA-
GETTES BOTH ACTIVE.

PCIItIeal SALONS In London ReODened
costly AutOmOblIe club Planned
-KalserS ming and ReV0lver-Daily
bath Opposed, Sea water ~ . Cureall
and Smoking BY wOmen-Queer Feeds.
LnNDox, Jan. zs.--The opening Of Parlia-
rnsnt to-day brings not only cords and
commons to London but also their wives.
The Rreat political salons OF q past genera
tion no longer exist, but politics and the
drawinR foom are still intimately con-
nected, a. Is only natural in . country
where women take keen interest and WELD
much influence in party politics.
The season proper does not begin until
after Faster but the political season began
last night and a considerable amount OF
entertaining will probably be done during
the next month or six weeks by tho leading
hostesses Of the rival parties. In the matter
OF hostosses with houses sufficiently spa
Cious for large political receptions the Oppo-
sition is considerably better on than the
Government.
The Marchioness Of Londonderry and the
Marchioness Of Lansdowne are social pillars
Of strength to the Unionists. Both are
famous for their beauty, and both have that
touch Of the gpdRde dame which 10 getting
rarer and rarer in these days OF free and
sssy manners.
Devonshire House is another great rally
ing place Of the Unionists. The Duchess OF
revonshire's birthday receptions and Derby
lay dinner and dance-always attended
hy royaIty--have been the most brilliant
svents Of their kind seen in any metropolis.
Rat IL is not likely that Devoushire House
will be thrown open much this year, on
account OF the Dukes had health and his
differences with his party on the tartn
question.
The Duchess Of Norfolk. the Duchess Of
Buckingham and ChAndoe. the Countess OF
Dartmouth and Lady Llangattook are other
great Unionist hoetesses and are particu-
larly active in entertainments and receptions
IN connection with the Primrose League, a
Conservative political organization in which
vcmen are q more potent factor man men.
Stafford House is one Of the show ducal
mansions OF London. hut neither the Duke
nor the Duchess Of Sutherland as . rule
gives purely political receptions Last
year two Of the events Of tho season were
The puchess's reception for the Tariff Re-
form party and q magnificent entertainment
of the Colonial Premiers.
~ Portsmouth has been undoubtedly the
leader LaAt year she entertained right
ROYALTY, and will do 90 again this year.
This year much is expected OF Lady
Allendale. She is a sister Of Lord London
derry and as perfect hostess A. her more
famous sister-in-law. Lady Londonderry.
one OF the leading hostesses Of tho OPP
position. ..
No Lewis Haroourt. one Of ths many
"a. SYnerican hostesses in London, has never
rsoeived on a large scale but has given
ANAL entertainments. Lord Rosebery, with
hls fine house in Berkeley Square and his
married daughters. OF his sister, Lady
Jsconnald, 20 act az hostess, might enter
tain uoaaniFicently, but he has never cared
for social duties and IL at the moment con-
ziderably out Of touch with the Govern
nent.
As has been said. In the matter OF suitable
houses and accomplished hostesses the
Opposition il far better Oh than the Govern
nent. The Prime Minister and several
leading members Of the Cabinet are widow
err, which 10 a great loss TO their party,
for Il is q well established fact that these
social gatherings in the hands OF tactful
woman do a. much TO keep the members
of a party together as sympathy OF views
or personal convictions.
A good deal Of surprise was caused re-
Gently by the calAng in Of ali the tickets
issued to ladies for to-day's. opening Of
Parliament. when the new invitations
were issued Il was found that they were
restricted entirely to the wives and daugh-
ters OF members.
The reason was simple. Il was dis
covered that some Of the invitations had
faIlen into the hands Of militant ladies'
Of the Wr1ragette party. who had been
foolish enough TO talk Of making q little
demonstration for the benefit OF their
MaiSSties. To-day both houses OF Parlia-
ment are guarded against intrusion on the
part OF these ladies as thoroughly as irr the
days Of the dynamitard.
Three Ambassadors were Anapshotted
as they left Windsor Castle on Saturday
morning after dining with the King on
Friday night and sleeping at the castle
afterward. Most people II asked what they
thought the ikeliest hat for an Ambas-
sador to wear when going from London to
dine with the King at Windsor would prob
ably suggest the topper. In the photo
graphs, however, NJ. de Bile, the Danish
Ambassador, 10 shown wearing Q derby:
Count Benckendorf, the Russian Ambas-
sadoT, sports q soft felt with dint in the
crown. while NJ. Cambon, the French AM
bassSdor, is The only one to wear q topper
The Royal Automobile Club has purchased
the alte OF the old War ONCE in Pail Mall,
for $50. 900, on which TO build new premises
for its use at an estimated cost OF 81 900. 900,
while the cost OF furniture and fittings Ia
estimated 70 run into another $3.50 900. The
club has a slowly increasing membership
Of three thousand odd. and though they
are in the main men Of wealth. many OF