The Washington herald., 1911-05-27
FOREIGN GOSSIP.

All the four May courts" have been
marked success in London. and the
period of mourning for the late King Is
past officially. These receptions were
held by the King and Queen on May 8.
10, "a, and 25. Seldom has there been
such a pressure for places on the lord
chamberlain's list. because the presenta-
ton of would-be debutantes last year
was prevented by the death OF King Ed
ward and the consequent cessation OF all
court engagements. Still. as courts also
are to be held at Edinburgh and Dublin,
the pressure at London has been light
ened to some extent, as most of the Scot
tish and Irish presentations will be made
on those occasions.
Following the usual custom the first
court on May 3 was altogether official
and diplomatic. Presentations were made
by the ambassadresses of the various
countries. Some Of the diplomats ap-
peared for the first time at the court Of
st. James, as for instance the new Por-
tuguese Minister, who represents the re-
public, in place of the Marquis de Sover
al, who for many years was the envoy
in London of the house of Braganza.
The Chinese Minister and his wife also
made their first entree at the court, to-
gether with the Chilean and the Argen-
tine representatives.
AS an order had been issued from the
lord chamberlains office, that only
fifteen American presentations were to
be allowed this year, Ambassador Reid
had anything but a pleasant task in
selecting that number from the many
applications, most of them having the
finest credentials from home. There
are many who are greatly disappointed
and quite a number place the blame
on the Amba ssador. 1t must be con-
fessed that the limit OF American Pre-
sentations is altogether out of reason,
especially as Americans compose A
large part of the class OF society that
is making things pretty lively for the
coronation. quite Il number have left in
disgust for Paris and the Continent.
Considering that court presentation
at best is a horrid bore. / fail to see
why this is so. Women go to endless
trouble and expense in procuring mt
costume, then for two or three hours
they arc penned in a long room with
800 or 400 other womc-; IN the same dis
tress, enduring intolerable fatigue, and
and in q fever of anxiety all the time
lest their dress may he spoiled. and
thev looked tossed and like frumps
when at last they emerge for just
moment into the royal presence under
the searching eyes of the whole court.
As but few seasons have been marked
by more numerous or by more interest
ing marriages in high society, there were
a large number of brides at the court.
among them the Countess Cardigan. VS.
countess Maidstone. Lady Charters. the
Marchioness of Linlithgow. and number
of lesser lights of the English aristoc-
racy. 1 will add for the Information of
those of my readers who have been given
10 understand that Lady Decies. she who
who Eivien Gould, Of New York. also
was received at the May courts. that, as
her husband is of Irish peerage, she will
he received at Dublin, but she could not
have attended. anyway. owing to her i'll
ness which necessitated an operation.
As to young and pretty girls who have
been anxiously awaiting the presentation
at court as the necessary sesame which
would open the doors to all the gayeties
and frvolities of society. their name this
year was legion. AS matter of fact.
the coronation season promises to be one
of such brillianCe and splendor. such Won
derful and beautiful balls are on the CAL
endar and in contemplation, that II is
whispered that some of the fair maidens
have actually succeeded in persuading
entation at court than otherwise might
have been held expedient. The age for
girls debut is not absolutely fixed: ii may
be seventeen or eighteen, as is most con-
venient.
Princess Maud, the younger OF the
two daughters of the princess royal
made her formal debut this season. An
other interesting debutante was the
Countess Zia Torby, the elder OF the
two daughters of the Grand Duke Mich
ael and the Countess Torby. The Coun-
tess Zia, like her mother. is very fond
of outdoor sports and games. and is
a good performer both at golf and ten
mis-. Lady Rosemary Leveson-Gower
was one of the debutantes OF the sea-
son, and she is probably feeling keener
delight in the thought of the great ball
with which the Duke and Duchess of
will celebrate their daugh-
ter's coming out at Stafford House.
Few houses in London are more adapt
ed to great entertainments than Stafford
House, with its fine rooms and its pecu-
liarly noble hall and staircase. The ball
is to take place on the day follow