The Washington herald., 1911-02-05
SOCIAL GOSSIP OF
FOREIGN CAPITALS


army and navy clubs nowadays about the
future Of Prince Louis Of Battenberg. 1
have heard it said that his hfghness is to
be appointed commander-in-chief of the
naval forces in the Mediterranean, to sue
coed Sir Edmund Poe, who is going to
Devonport.
If SO. the appointment Is sure to be
popular in the navy. for Prince Louis
is an officer of extraordinary charms, as
American society has every reason to re-
member from his visit to these shores
several years ago. when his abilities and
his versatility was highly praised. In
early days he was a MILDLY with Lord
Charles Beresford and he accompanied
King Edward. when Prince Of Wales.
during his famous Indian tour.
In the days when he was a dashing.
handsome lieutenant in the British navy.
Prince Louis is reputed to have played
havoc with many hearts of the fair sex,
but since then he has devoted himself
solely to his profession.
The prince was the inventor Of the
ungainly but very practical long distance
signaling arrangements which were
indispensable to war ships before the ad-
vent Of wireless telegraphy. On the dues-
ton of tactics he has been regarded as
a weil-nigh unrivaled authority, while as
a naval reformer he unites sanity of
judgment with earnestness Of purpose. A
special favorite in. the wardroom and be-
low and forward. ne has always been sue
cessful in making a happy ship.
In active service his liveliest experience
was at the bombardment of Alexandria.
where he distinguished himself. when in
command Of the gatling gun battery. by
maintaining his position against heavy
onslaughts.
The Countess of Minto, Lady Ampthill.
and Lady Desborough have been appoint
ed ladies' of the bedchamber to her ma
jesty, Queen Mary of England. The title
lady of the bed chamber" is something
of a misnomer to-day. In former times
this particular lady of the household had
to, attend to intimate details of the
Queens toilet. but since the accession Of
Queen Victoria she has become a superior
lady in waiting, or a personal attendant
Of a more or less ornamental character.
Only when the court is at Windsor the
ladies of the bedchamber are actually in
residence. although when the court is at
Buckingham Palace they must hold them
selves IN readiness at their own homes
AS rule. generally two are in attend
ance at time, and during their periods
OF waiting they go to and fro in a royal
carriage. being altogether at the Queens
command
Lady Minto is far from being a new
conner to court ways. Her father, Gen
Charles Grey, acted as private secretary
to Queen Victoria. Lady Mimic lived in St
James Palace. and was brought up in
Queen VictOria's encourage. Her lady
ships "motherliness" cannot fail to
recommend her to Queen Mary. who is
nothing il not domestic and devoted to
her five children.
Lady Ampthill's father, the late LorG
Beauchamp. also was intimately con-
nected for many years with the court OF
Queen Victoria, and when she married
Lord Ampthill in 1884. both the former
Queen and the late King. as Prince OF
Wales, took great interest in the we'd
ding. Lady Ampthill. it is said in May
fair, will be one of the handsOmest and
cieverest of Queen Mary's attendants in
the coronation year.
Lady Desborough, also. is graceful and
attractive and will be a prominent coro.
nation hostess. Her Saturday-to-M Mon.
day parties at Taplow Court. deservediy
| are famous and she generally manage:
| to capture the latest celebrities for these
| delightful functions. Like her popular
husband, of Olympic game celebrity, sh,
! is exceedingly keen on every form o
| outdoor sport.
There was an unusually large attend
ance of members of the royal family
! at Frogmore Mausoleum on January ~
the tenth anniversary of the death o
Queen Victoria of England. The Kini
| and Queen were present. The memo
rial services were conducted by tn,
Archbishop Of Canterbury in the sane
tuary where Queen Victoria and hel
Prince Consort lay in their last sleep.
To the British public Frogmore is &
| terra incognita." 1t is open for inspec.
ton only one day in the year. and ther
only by special card of admission. which
the average person will find great diff.
Guilty to obtain.
What is known as Frogmore is little
group Of houses hidden by trees in Wind
Z n
nous sum Of s.. 100000. 1t has the appear
ance of a small chapel in the shape of a
Greek cross with a short Octagonal central
tower. The interior is richly decorated
with colored marble, statuary, sarcophagi
! and gliding. Queen Victoria built it In
1864, intending that she and her adored
Albert should lie there side by side.
There are no tombs other than those OF
the Queen and the Prince Consort. Di-
rectly under the dome is the splendid
sarcophagus of Aberdeen granite, weigh
ing nine tons, guarded at the four cor
enshrines the coffins Of the Queen and
prince. On the lid of the tomb are sculp-
tured the recumbent figures Of the Illus
trious dead. Prince Albert Is habited IN
the uniform of British field marshal
draped in the Garter mantle. Queen
Victoria is represented at the age Of forty
attired in regal robes. The faces of the
Queen and the prince are inclined to-
ward each other, making a singuiarly
touching figure.
King Edward did q good deal toward
beautifying the mausoleum. Among his
improvements are several exquisite STAIN
ed glass windows, dedicated to the men,
ory of Queen Victoria. the Empress
Frederick, Princess Alice, Prince Alfred
| and Prince Leopold. the Queens children
The decision Of Bishop Ryle. of WIN
| chester, to relinquish that see in favor
Of the deanery of Westminster means
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