New-York tribune., 1908-12-10

nar position on the staf OF the veteran field mar
shal when the latter stationed at Dublin as
generalissio OF the troops in ireland. Sir Anthony
made the acquaintance OF Lord WOlseley while
staying with him at Moore Abbey a fellow guest
Of the late Lord Drogheda, and completely won
Wolseley's heart by his cheeriness. his cleverness
in comic roles as amateur actor and. above all,
by his proficiency banjo player. On the day
when the widowed Lady Weldon gave the
news to the old family butler at KiInorony that
the young master had been appointed by Field Mar
shal Lord Nclseley a member Of his staff the
gray haired retainer. q typical family servant OF
the old school, bean1ed on Sir Anthony, who was
sitting az the breakfast table, and exclaimed:
We'll, well' always thought that banjo would do
something Isn't # well. now. he bit Of
clown?"
While genealogical experts take strong exception
to Sir Anthony's claims to be descended from the
ancient Kentsh family of Weldon of Swanscombe
and to the right OF Sir Anthony TO the arms OF the
Weldons OF Swanscombe. which he bears, Yet there
is no doubt that Sir Anthony's direct ancestors
have been settled in Ireland since the reign Of King
James I. own g baronetcy conferred by King
George in the early part OF the eighteenth cen
tury and hsve been established at KiImorony. their
place in County Kildare, and Rahenderry, their
country seat fl Queens County, ever since the days
OF King Charles I With such lineage it is a pity
that the Weldons Of Kimorony should expose
themselves TO imputations Of claiming ancestors
and arms the possession Of which is open ques-
ton Thus II is insisted that Sir Anthony Weldon
a special crest for his escutcheon in the form OF
bust portrait of herself left no children and It is
fact that Walter Weldon, the first of the Wedons
TO be heard of in Ireland. where he was Member Of
Parliament for Athy in the reign OF James I. did
not dream Of making use of the arms Of the Vel
dOns Of Swanscombe.
Indeed. the records Of his funeral, still exist
ence, at listers office at Dublin, show that his
armorial bearings were quite different. It only
much later that his direct descendants, the family
Ireland is now the chief abandoned his, that is
Walter Weldon's, arms and assumed those Of the
keutish WeldOns. The latter included Hugh Wei
don, who Sewer to Henry VII: Edw yard
Weldon. who was Master Of the Household to
Henry VII; Thomas Weldon, who was Coherer
TO King Edward VI. and Sir Anthony. who was
Clerk Of the Spicery TO Queen Elizabeth and one
Of her particular favorltes
BOGUS VICTORIA CROSS HEROES HERE.
As several cases have come under my notice re-
Gently OF English imposJers in this country wear
ing the Victoria Cross two of them having actual
y taken part IN parade reviewed some time ago
by Governor Hughes of New York, il may be as
vel TO call the attention Of my readers 10 the
fact that the name Of every living member OF the
Victoria Cross order IS 10 be found II the yearly
issues OF ''Whttaker's AImanack,' and OF anaIo-
gous English works OF reference that have wide
sale n this country and figure in every public
library.
II is al the more necessary 10 mention this, in
view OF the fact that the alleged possession Of the
Victoria Cross Is often used means OF obtain
ing money, especially from people on this side OF
the water who have any English blood in their
veins OF English connections, since the Victoria
Cross is only awarded to altogether exceptional
heroism IN war. As each cross carries with It an
annual monetary grant no recipient thereof can
be entirely destitute. The order, everybody
knows was instituted IN 1856 by Queen Victoria,
at the tine Of the Crimean War, and although
il carries with II no title, is the most highly
priced CT all English orders, for which officers and
Drtyares IN the ranks are equally eligible.
MARQUISE DE FONTENOY.