The Washington herald., 1910-10-17
SOCIAL GOSSIP OF
FOREIGN CAPITALS

time II Is the collection of rare and
antique rings. For a real, unique ring
set with uncommon stones. enormous
sums recently have been paid by the
smart set. and Mrs Maldwin Drum
mond, about whose plans for the COM
ing season in the way OF grand enter
/ tanning at her London house so much
has been said in the press Of both hemi-
/ spheres lately. has the finest collection
of such rings In England. connoisseurs
say.
There are especially two rings in Mrs
! Drummonds collection which. if her
claims are true. deserve attention. one
/ Of these IS a ring worn by Marie An
/ toinette on her way 10 the gullotine. II
is set with a pearl, and the unfortunate
| Queen. 1t is said. wore it on her fore
! finger on her last walk on earth Then
/ there Is a superb ruby ring which be-
/ longed 70 Queen Christine OF Sweden,
the famous 'Spinster queen" of the
| Scandinavians
| The Duchess of Westminster. Mrs.
Waldorf-Astor, who recently was re-
| ceived by King George and Queen Mary,
| at Balmoral despite the fact that she
| has divorced her first husband and Mrs.
| Ian Malcolm. daughter Of Mrs. Lang
try. now Lady de Battle, also own in
teresting rings with historic assocla-
tons.
Why rings? y is because the fashion
leaders have set the pace that no gloves
are % be worn evenings. and women
In all grades Of society naturally follow
suit Fingers, therefore. are not only
adorned with rings that are worth while
showing but the hands also must be in
perfect condition. Beauty specialists are
now coming money manicurists Of the
London West End being called by tele-
graph 20 all parts OF the land TO perfect
the lady's long digits into things OF
beauty, process which, il is averred.
often takes weeks 20 accomplish.
Speaking Of the gracious reception ac-
corded Mrs. Waldorf Aston by royalty.
speculation on that very account is rife
whether King George will deviate from
the British courts cast-iron rule never
20 have divorced women appear al court
functions
We all know what a stickler Queen
Victoria was for that rule. and that she
was irreconcilabIe in that respect. Well.
being the first lady Of the land and auto
Graf ar her own court she of course had
a right 10 dictate court etiquette and 10
enforce her commands. II Victoria judg-
ed all marriages from the viewpoint OF
her own extremely happy union. she was
hardly 10 be blamed. II she believed I'm
tie maxim that no woman had a right
o. divorce her husband. no matter how
badly treated she cluns perhaps too
much 10 the orthodox teuets ~ the Bible
But then Victoria was brought mp in the
early part OF the last century. and il was
10 be supposed that her views would be
a biz antiquated, though in principle she
was absolutely right. that q woman. If.
she would but try could make a man
instead # break up family ties.
When Edward assembled the throne. II
was confidently expected that. % please
a certain element tn that coterie which he
fancied In his princely DAYS. ne would
change all that and admit divorces"
Indeed, for a while Il looked as though be
really would, but he did not after all. /
and the rules laid down by hts mother
remained In fun and unabridged force.
Now We hear that King George and 4
especially Queen Mary. has sympathy I
with women who were forced 10 discard 1
en- undesirable husband. For that matter. I
SD did King Edward. and none more so
than Queen Victoria herself But She was
determined. before all things. to keep her.
court on a strictly moral basis and SO will I.
the present rulers. See If they DO not. IT.
is not personal likes or disiikes. il is the /
example they have 20 set 20 their country. (
whose populace looks MP 10 them for ex- f.
ceptonal morality, especially since the /
unsavory doings Of the Georges and VII /
liam. and 10 the world In general
The KaiSer's brother. Prince Henry OF I
Prussia. is doing more 10 promote good
fellowship between Germany and Eng
land than all Of the speeches that the .
Emperor ever has made, no matter how
fun Of friendly expressions. Prince F..
Henry. who recently has been the guest
of his cousin, King George. AT BaImoral
Ohe cousins are very chummv has
evolved a plan that is bound 20 bear
fruit
Having suggested a friendly motor con-
test between fifty cars representing the
best IN either country and which is 10
take place next year after the corona
tion, Prince Henry now is beginning 20
perfect the details Of the plan. As soon
as Prince Francis OF Teck has fully re-
cuperated from the effects Of the opera
ton which he recently had 20 undergo.
a meeting Of the competition and the
route committees is 10 be held. when
Prince Henry. Admiral Rompold and
Count Muenster, representing the Impe-
rial Automobile Club of Germany. VIII
attend IN person.
That contest will be one Of the lead
ing social events Of 1911 Each car Will
be decorated with British and with Ger
man flags and carry an observer in
uniform, an English expert on each Ger
man car and a German expert on each
English car.
The tour is to occupy twelve TO four
teen DAYS and the route will traverse
districts OF interest historically and the
most picturesque, rs far as scenery is
concerned. The length Of the tour VIII
Involve the consideration Of some new
and important sporting points. The ma
chimes that will register the fewest mis-
haps and occupy the least amount Of
time in repairs will win the cup which
Prince Henry wishes TO present
The entrants already are numerous. and
hints have been thrown ont as 70 a
glorious reception to the motorists at the
principal places along the route But
better than all this, Prince Henry has
expressed his fervent hope 10 the men,
bers Of both clubs. the Imperial German
md The RnNal En.L--n tk.L ~ $4,000 |