Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-26
Marys and Georges
Honor Their Rulers

HE Marys and Georges of Great
Britain of high and low degree, and
there are a host of them, are busy at
work canvassing for contributions to pur-
chase coronation gifts for their king and
queen. They are proud Of their Chris
tian names, are these Britons, and are
determined to make their gifts and their
presentation notable feature of the
approaching imposing ceremonies. Cos
sip credits the Marchioness Of Butte, a
very notable Mary, with the originating
Of the whole idea.
1t seems that one afternoon not long
since the marchioness and some of her
women friends were having tea together
and discussing the coming coronation
when suddenly the marchioness drew at
tention to the fact that the Christian
name of every woman i'll the room was
the same as the queens and that it was
suggested that it would be a good idea
for all the Marys present to contribute
and send coronation gift to the queen.
The others accepted the suggestion with
some other Marys equally distinguished
know Of the plan and join ilr the con-
tributing. The other namesakes OF the
queen were equally enthusiastic, and ap-
peals came from less distinguished Marys
that they, too, might have a share in the
gift.
Another meeting was held by the
originators of the plan, and it was finally
arranged that every Mary in Great
Britain should have a chance to con-
tribute. so now all the queens Marys."
be they rich or poor, young or old, loWly
or exalted. may send any sum from one
penny to one pound toward buying gift
for their royal namesake.
In fact. the happy idea has caught on
like wildhre and Marys all over the
United Kingdom have become self-en-
listed canvassers in the cause. A list OF
all the contributors will be kept. but not
the amount given by each. Eontribu-
lions must be made before May L. 1t
will then be decided whether the gift
shall take the form of a personal orna-
ment to be worn by the queen or that
of a sum of money to be placed at her
majesty's disposal to use for whatever
purpose she may determine.
The Duchess OF Devonshire. the Mar
chioness of Graham Lady Mary IRE
fusis and Lady Waldegrave who were
among the originators of the scheme. are
managing everything in businesslike
way. They have appointed well known
Marys all over England as heads Of COM
mittees to receive contributions from
their own districts. Lady Mary IRE
fusis, who is woman of the bedchamber
to the queen. is the chairwoman of the
London committees ana really the Hcdu
of the whole organization.
Other Marys who are taking an active
part in the committee work are the
Countess of Gainsborough, Viscountess
Curzon. Viscountess Gotham. Lady Maria
Welby. Lady Mary Grant and the Hon.
Mrs. Herbert Asquith All these ladies
are giving much of their time to the
managing of correspondence and contli-
buttons Address books are being ram
sacked for possible subscribers. ana
l.~{r,
question heard on every side In places
where women congregate. AS in addi-
ton to this many women VINO are not
fortunate enough to be called Mary are
consoling themselves by embarking on
a crusade among their friends and ac-
oraintances, the number of MaryS who
do not figure on the list will be inini-
steSimdlly small.
One hostess has already arranged a
MARY tea" and another. In Worcester
shire. is getting up a Mary Dance" and
Is much perturbed in mind to know
whether men bearing the name of Mary
are also eligible as subscribers.
The committee has not yet solved this
knotty point but since Mary as NAL
Christian name is very much rarer in
England than on the continent. it is not
a matter of the first Importance Great
hauls for the local committees are ex-
pected to result from both these enter
ta:nments, and doubtless other and even
more ingenious ways of filling the fold
will in due course be devised. Letters in
answer to the appeal already as
Stunning large proportions. and the local
committees anticipate considerable diff
Guilty in coping with the flow OF CORE
Spondence
No one knows how many Marys there
are in the empire that 1t is safe
to say that the bearers of no other
name exceed them in number. In lone
Butte and Cumbrae. where Lady Butte
sent out circular to her own people,
instant replies were received from 1900
Marys. The Marys are specially privi-
legged class in this year of grace. but
the real Marys Of the committee. deter
cided to extend the rules SO as to include
Contributions will be welcomed from all
who bear the names OF Mary. May.
Martha. Marian, Marion and Marie, but
from nobody else.
The queen is said to look with favor
on the scheme, which has been ex-
planned to her by Lady Trefusis. There
was at first some fear that she might
decline to receive such a gift, but she
has not done So and has even expressed
pleasure at the thought having suggested
itself to her nameSakes.
The Georges were weeks behind the
Marys in getting together. and they have
but recently organized, but as soon las