New-York tribune., 1912-03-17
London. February 16.

,...rr,ined social claims is not 10 ask
"ii1t ,,,or neop.e whose precedence may
~ thought, by themselves or others
,,htful But a hostess sometimes for
w., and only after invitations have
p cent and accepted discovers that
~ has got into trouble. Again VIII
go YOU an English instance.
si,. 100 of the most important houses
- london. a palace in everything but
" the hostess had asked to the same
a'-.ar the late Due d'Aumaie and the
-. ppssian Ambassador, NJ. de Staal.
-. t,,,itations having been accepted,
-, hogan to consider which Of the
80 80 was 10 take her in TO dinner, and 10
.a.oe,ve that il was not easy to deter
- The Russian Ambassador, as the
..oral representative Of his Sovereign.
80 entitled to precedence over every-
hodv but royalties. and over some OF
.h.r, But the Due d'Aumale was Of
col house and brother to a King. y
.,,,cu of war was held. The three or
&C., mon and women who were supposed
-. tho hest authorities in London were
,,,s,,ltAd. They voted unanimously for
,bn DUO d'Aumale, and he did, in fact,
.at.e IN his hostess, on whose left was>M.
\, staaL As they sat down she uttered
,yord of civil regret TO the Ambassa-
Aor He answered, with perhaps un-
dlplomatic abruptness;
you know you are quite wrong"
And she was. The Ambassador may
"a trusted 10 possess an accurate knowl-
A8ge Of all questions touching his own
a;ynitv. and he pointed out to the great
,sdv that though the Due d'Aumale was
q ROYALTY he was not a member OF
-aisning family. Louis Philippe had
bseu dethroned, and therefore the Am
basssdor Of the Emperor of Russia was
entitled to go in before him; and when
this was explained to the best author
tiles who had decided for the Duke, they
all with one accord admitted themselves
IN the wrong. And no war followed, nor
were the relations between England and
Russia much disturbed, since they were
already bout as bad as they could be.
But there Is a Washington story whien
oyerrnstches this. A dinner was given
10 which Cardinal Gibbons was invited.
There was no hostess, but there were
ladies, and as the company was paired
oe il presently became evident that the
Cardinal was expected TO find his way 10
the dining room unaccompanied. 1t was
an American lady and a washington
hostess who noticed this. She had the
quick wit and social instinct to turn
away from the partner who was ap-
preaching her and say to the Cardinal.
81 am to have the honor of going in with
Your Eminence," and they marched of
together. And so it happened that II
was not the Prince OF the Church OK
Rome who went in alone, but the host.
The lady who saved the situation was
Mrs. Letter.
On other than official occasions dif7-
culties between official and diplomatic
representatives have occurred. l have
known instances which would, 1 think,
have been impossible elsewhere. 1 viii
relate one. When Mr.. Olney was leav-
ing the state Department Washington
hostess Of the first rank desired to give
him a farewell dinner. She wished the
British Ambassador to be present, but
as Mr.. Olney was tC be what is solemnly
called the guest of honor" and as Lord
Pauncefote must, if present, take in his
hostess, this lady applied to him to
waive his precedence. Lord Pauncefote
made answer that personally he should
be delighted TO do anything she desired.
but that It was impossible for him to
waive his precedence as representative
Of his Sovereign. Whereupon she eX-
pressed her deep regret that she could
not ask him TO this dinner But being
lady fertile in expedients, she present.
~ bethought herself of a way out. The
Ambassador must take her in, but IL
was possible to signify her sense Of
what was due to the Secretary Of State
by sending him in with the Heir of ths
House: quite the most original discovery
OF the time. 1t was done. The Heir
conducted the Secretary Of State TO his
place on the left Of his hostess. then
NVSh hlo OWll plclCC lONtl hO"hJ thO 4AilA
bassador brought in his hostess and sat
on her right, and the rest OF the very
distinguished company Of thirty beheld
with amazement but also with delight
the acting Of this comedy. 1t was tho
hrst and I suppose also the last time
that problem of that magnitude had
been solved in that way.
For the sake OF Mr.. Hays retort will
give you one other incident Of this din
ner Side by side In the middle of the
aole sat the Ambassador designate -
Great Britain and one Of his unsuccess~
iul competitors. If competitor he could
% called, since Mr.. Hay had the option
oi the appointment from the moment OF
resident McKinley's election. Said his
rval to friend across the table:
DO you know why am here? 1t is
!" swell the victor's triumph. am tied
!" Hays chariot wheels"
Said Mr.. Hay:
fes' but it is not 1 who am driving
the chariot"
Ane driver Of the chariot was tho
ncstess, woman Of high distinction.
svertneess, the social discipline Of
ashnston is military. The laws of
m'eieourse are unbending, inexorable.
1m'ersal AS the first condition of your
-.ssoh INTO these circles you have to
complicated system of rules
VI customs more stringent than
..s ,ss' IL you do not, you give offence
.S p. very likely you find the gates OF this
:. Se SHUT in your face. Ignorance
- H.ore an excuse here than igno-