New-York tribune., 1910-10-23

agreea BILE mission for an English diplomat
owing TO the intimacy OF the relationship
between the reigning houses OF Great
Britain and Denmark. There are no such
advantages at The Hague The idea Of the
Foreign Office in making the change is. I
understand in order TO have a first class
man. possessed of great tact and discretion.
in the Dutch capital TO keep in touch with
the international tribunal there. TO which so
many controversies between powers are re-
ferred for settlement.
Sir Alan. who married while attached to
the British Embassy at Washington. where
his wife, as Miss Nellie Pinchot. daughter
of Mrs. James W. Pinchot. is remembered
as one Of the most beautiful and popular
girls Of her day. enjoys in very marked
degree the good will of the British royal
family. He won this by the deIicacy with
which he represented at Darmstadt the
view of the late Queen Victoria and Of
King Edward in the matrimonial differences
Of the Grand Duke Of Hesse with his for
mer wife. which eliminated in divorce. both
parties being grandchildren of the late
Queen. Sir Alan. too was secretary OF le-
CATION at Copenhagen during the early
days Of the Queen of Norway's marriage
Prince Charles Of Denmark. and Sir Alan
and Lady Johnstone helped to smooth away
many difficulties arising from the fact that
the young Queens marriage had been a
love match. that some OF the relatives OF
her husband had entertained other views
with regard to his matrimonial future, and
that both environment and climate con-
tributed to cause her to suffer cruelty from
inconsistencies
Sir Alan is a younger son OF Lord Der
went. a Ereat-grandson of the famous Arch
bishop Harcourt Of York. and belongs 70 a
younger branch Of the ancient and historic
house Of Johnstone of Westerhall. The
chief of the Johnstone clan was in Edin-
burgh some six centuries ago. when he
heard of the plotting by King Edward III
and BalliOl to capture Bruce JOhnstone
could send TO the Scotch patriot only an
emblematic warning, namely, spur with a
feather attached TO It. The quick witted
Bruce read the message Alright and sought
security in a mountain fastness- When he
ascended the throne of Scotland King Rob
ert Bruce, as uiementO of the timely hint
given 20 him by JohnstOne, granted TO him
the winged spur as a crest. II is used as
such to this day by Sir Alan Johnstone
and also BY the chief of his family, Sir
Frederick Johnstone which, in view Of the
fact that the latter has twice won the
Derby. may he regarded as a singularly
appropriate heraldic emblem
Much of the Johnstone property is sit
uated in this country, part Of It having
been acquired by the great-grandfather OF
Sir Frederick, namely, Commodore George
Johnstone. who was British Colonial Gov
ernor Of Florida, after che latter had been
given to the English by the SpanIards In
return for the restoration Of Cuba. the
commodore marrying an American helress'
Miss Charlotte Dee. The remainder OF the
American property of the Johnstones came
10 the family through the commodore
elder brother. the fifth baronet. namely, Sir
William JohnstOne, marrying Frances
PuIteney. heiress of David Pulteney, who
owned much property in the State OF New
York MARQUISE DE FONTENOf.