The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-07-07
ny LA MARQUIsE DE TONTENOY.
a LTHOUGH there is no foundation
IN for the story. according TO
~ which the present administra-
ton in England had in View the

HT LA MARQUIsE DE FONTENOY.
a LTHOuGH there is no foundation
IN for the story. according To
II which the present administra-
ton in England had in view. the
Duke of Fife for the successorship of
Lord Grey as Governor-Gene of
Canada, yet 1t is a fact that the office
was pressed upon the duke twelve
years ago by Joseph Chamberlain. at
that time Secretary of State for the
Colonies The duke was obliged to
of his wife. the Princess Royal. and 1
have the copy before me OF letter
of the duke. explaining this reason for
n his refusal of the post. He was in
Huenced In the matter. not only By
lhe health OF his wife. but also by
her extraordinary shyness, which has
caused her to shuh all court functions
eyer eye, since her girlhood. and to avoid
the limelight of publicity. which inva-
rlably beats about royalty.
While this would have proved
drawback in the wife of governor
sumo the leadership of society during
her husbands term of office, there Is
no doubt that both the duke and the
duchess nave many qualities that
Would nave particularly endeared them
to the Canadian people. notably their
complete simplicity of manner and of
life. and their hatred of that court
ceremonial when the Toronto Globe
suited to the Dominion and as obiec-
tionable to public sentiment there. For
when the Duke of Fife married the
elasst daughter Of Edward VII. he
Wlie should be permitted to lead with
him the life of mere noblewoman. in
STEAD or that of princess of the
f fsa, 1ssn house; II is owing to this
Princess Royal of Great Britain, she
IS the only feminine member Of the
royal family who has neither ladies' in
va Mai. LIN nor equerries and gentlemen
IN waiting. who is free to go about
anywhere, unattended, no matter
whether 1t be for stroll in Hyde Park
g or on on ash shopping expedition in Bond
at the door of her London residence in
Portman Square. and who. in one word,
is entirely free from all the tiresome
restrictions placed by etiquette upon
the movements of royalty
The Duke and Duchess Of Connaught,
on the other hand, although very UNI
aftected and extremely cordial in their
manner name, are always environed by a
become part and parcel Of their very
existence. They have been accustomed
thereto throughout their entire lives.
the duchess In particular. as a princess
Of the reigning house of Prussia, which
Is so strict in questions OF etiquette,
while the dukes tenure of many hieh
military offices has also contributed
thereto. l is all very we'll to SAY
that the Duke of Connaught used to
insist upon being treated as a Mere
soldier. But when that soldier hap
pens to be commanding general or
field marshal with a large staff of
officers in personal attendance, from
the rank of ma1or-general down to
captain. there is not much simplicity
OF life, or absence of ceremonial.
With regard to the Duchess OF Con-
naught, she is very charming and
kindly woman. But she has keen
sense of what is due to her royal
rank, and when at the magnificent
coronation Durbar at Delhi; the late
Lady Curzon. as wife OF the viceroy,
wassput beside her IN such a way as to
rank. she deliberately, in. the sight of
feudatory princes Of India. allowed her
handkerchief to drop to the ground for
Lady Curzon to pick up. Lady Cur2on
who was Miss Mary Letter. OF WASH
ington and Chicago, thoroughly under
stood the obiect Of the duchess. For
the latter had already given signs OF
displeasure at being relegated TO a
place in line with the viceroy's wife
Instead of preceding her.
There was m0mentary hesitation
on the part of Lady Curzon when the
kandke rchef dropped and both women
looked at one another, not In an alto
gether particularly friendly manner
ThentLady Curzon( bent down and pick
ed IN the handkerchief from the
ground and handed 1t to the duchess