New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-08

has perhaps never seen in any private
house spectacles SO brilliant as the
balls at Stafford House during the
reign of the late King. The house itself
is a spectacle. with its spaces and pict-
ure gallery and noble proportions and
great staircase. The Duchess was
wont to stand on the first low landing.
Just above the floor OF the hall, to re-
ceive her guests. Her beauty has long
been renowned. Her manner, her dis
tnction, her dress. her jewels-there Is
nothing new to say about any Of them,
nor will anything anybody can say
give you any true notion OF the pict-
ure.
There is. to be sure. Sargents por-
trait OF her, but that great painter In
her case also has seemed TO consider
that a true rendering of her loneliness
would win no belief from those who
had not seen her. He has painted so
much OF what he chose to see as suited
his -wilfulness: and arrayed her In
a garment Of intense. vivid, dazzling
green, instead Of the sedate harmony Of
color she actually wore; for In such
matters she is an artist. The picture
hangs in the dining room Of Stafford
House to-day: and by II other genera
lions will have to Judge the woman
whose image 1t is; or ought TO be. or
her charm IL supplies no sufficient ac-
count; and Of the qualities which have
made her one OF the foremost women OF
her time no hint.
Nor can l give any. There is some
thing far unlike the practical, ener-
getic, sagacious woman Of business
sketched above. After all, social gifts
are supreme, and 1t is largely because
Of her social gifts that her work else
where has been successful and benef-
cent. Sympathy Is one Of them; a
power OF entering into the minds OF
other people; thinking with them and
feeling with them. and therefore doing
the right thing for them. Many other
women have found that possible But
what counts here Is what is purely indi-
vidual; the genius for social leadership
which is hers. II is rare IN this coun-
try. The Duchess has the French
touch, possibly because OF her Scottish
blood and breeding.
Her Friday evening parties gave
proof of it. To those you were asked
once for all, and the company was OF
more worlds than one. The first even
Ing babe fair 10 he a failure. People
were left to themselves. The same thing
happened as in the Tuesday club
soirees Of New York some years ago.
They grouped themselves into coteries
OF old friends. Many stood aloof al
together, knowing few or none OF their
fellow guests. London in It's thirst
for novelties has tried many expert
ments, but 7 doubt whether anywhere
so many ingredients have gone 10 the
making OF social salad. or whether
anywhere else they would have mixed
into an agreeable whole.
Nor did they at Stafford House all al
once. There was a chill. Presently
the Duchess, occupied Ia welcoming
guests as they arrived, noticed II. and
instantly saw the danger. Instantly
shc took command. moved about, broke
up groups and formed others. intro
duced people. brought together those
who had something In common. The
atmosphere changed. The chill grew
warm. Before another twenty minutes
had passed II had become n salon I'm
the French sense. Celebrities and oh
scurtes chatted together Friends
and foes mingled. Lord Miner found
himself next 10 General Botha. Mime.
Cavaleri and Lady Constance Stewart
Richardson danced against each other
Sir Herbert Tree gazed benignly upon
q glittering throng 10 which tho stage
Of His Majesty's Theatre could offer
no parallel. Everybody was at ease
The talk rippled pleasantly on all sides
Smiles lighted UP the great room. II
WAS triumph. and II was the unaided
triumph Of the Duchess-the idle
Duchess. G.. w. 8.