The Washington herald., 1912-11-17
Foreign Gossip of Interest on
Both Sides of the Ocean

7 Satisfaction is expressed in London
diplomatic circles at the appointment Of
Mr.. Irwin K. LauChIIn as first secretary
at the American Embassy in London, to
succeed Mr.. william Phillips, who d
granted years leave of absence at his
iown request. and Is about TO return to
Boston with his wife and children.
Mr.. Laughlin was transferred from
Berlin. His appointment has come to
him as surprise, for he had Just taken
a splendid new house In the fashionable
Thiergarten quarter. and had Il hand
somely decorated and furnished for his
bride, Miss Therese IseIin. whom he
married at New Rochelle, N. z. last
month. As he 10 the wealthiest young
man in the American diplomatic service,
and his wife Is the daughter Of Mr..
Adrian Iselin, the millionaire banker OF
Wall Street, they will prove valuable
additions to the American circle In Lon
don.
Changes have Just been made in the
tenancy Of several well known London
residences, and the demand for country
houses within easy motoring distance OF
London are increasing. Americans are
more fastidious In these matters than
English people, and often. after spend
ing lavishIy upon renovation of a man
Mrs George West and her sister, Mrs.
John Leslie, have owned several beauti-
ful homes in Great Cumberland Place,
which they have disposed OF In the past.
Later they occupied houses in Hallam
Street. North Audley Street, Park Street,
and elsewhere. while Mrs West con-
verted the old home OF Nell Gwynne. at
ST. AIbans into one of the most attrac-
tive country houses in England.
IT NO.
dence In Curzon Street. having estab-
Iished herself at Adair Place, near Eagle
field Green. where American verandas
Cporches), and garden-rooms now sur
round the old mansion.
Three years ago Americans possessed
more hcmes in Carlton House Terrace
than English people. Mrs. John Mackay.
Mr.. William AstOr, Mr.. Anthony Drexel,
Mrs. John Ward. and Mrs Frederick
Guest then received there.
Mrs Maldwfn Drummond. widow OF
Marshall Field, of Chicago, then Sc
cured the house at No. 2, which adjoins
that Of Lord CurZon. and spent enormous
sums on the reconstruction and adorn-
ment Of the interior. A great ball was
given when the house was completed two
seasons ago; but now the owner has dis
posed Of II, and has gone to live at Cad
lands, in Hampshire, in another dwelling
which she acquired recently.
Few people trouble TO build themselves
new houses in the heart of Lindon, but
this year half a DOZEN well-knOwn Lib
erals are entering new homes built on the
coveted sites laid bare a year or two ago
near the Houses of Parliament, at the
junction OF Smith Square and Church
Street. in the heart Of Old Westminster.
The owners already established are Mr..
and Mrs. Reginald McKenna, the latteT's
sister. Mrs Francis McLaren, and Mr..
Russell Rea.
Lord Dunsany, who with Lady Dunsany,
has returned to the family residence,
Dunsany Castle, in Meath, Ireland. is one
Of the Emerald Isles not very numerous
literary peers. While he undoubtedly
heads the list. it is hardly quite clear that
he does not end IL as well. With fine i'm
agination that finds expression in poetry
and poetic prose, his writings breathe
a Celtic spirit. As in Greece il is evil
IDENTIFY in Ireland the atmosphere, not the
blood" that has the most powerful in
fuence on the mind. The Plunkett family.
Of one branch Of which Lord Dunsany is
the head. are of Danish descent. and their
nsighbOrs in Meath for long centuries
were not Celts. but Normans Of the Pale
Lord Dunsany and Sir Horace Plunkett
are Of the same blood, being nephew and
uncle. The difference is very striking be-
tween the genius OF the idealist Peer and
that Of his practical and utilitarian rela-
tive. FLANEUR.
Copyright. 1872 by Court Gossip syndicteJ