The Washington herald., 1912-06-14
SERIOUS AND POLITICAL
GOSSIP IN FOREIGN LANDS

IS. Peter and Paul on the Neva unless
he desisted In his attentions to his
daughter, the Russian princess. but that
she fell at her fathers feet and cried
so bitterly, saying she would throw her
self into the Neva River unless he con-
sented that the Car was moved and
gave IN.
II came as a great surprise TO many.
even members Of the highest circles.
when the announcement was published
recently that the Duke OF Orleans had
sold his fine estate and mansion OF Wood
Norton. IN Worcestershire. 20 Sir Charles
swinden Eady Judge OF chancery. It is
believed that the legitimate King Of
France. now having disposed Of all OF
his English property. now intends to live
altogether on the Continent In the fu-
ture, while his wife, who Is an Austrian
archduchess and childless, may spend
most Of her time IN her native land.
Wood Norton Hall Is q handsome, well
arranged house, which was originally a
shooting lodge. II is in the Avon Valley.
about three miles from Evesham, where
the terrible battle was fought IN the days
OF the Invasion II was purchased In the
late SOS by the late Due d'Aumale
Parliament for Evesham. but the estate
neighboring properties.
About fifteen years ago the gardens
were much altered and improved and a
considerable part OF the domain has been
converted into game preserves by the
Due d'Orleans. King Edward. when
Prince Of Wales. was quite frequently
the guest Of the then owner. the Due
dAumaIe, at Wood Norton. and there
have been a number of other royal visit
To- - ar01
Empress Friedrich, at the time Crown
Prince and Crown Princess Of Prussia,
the latter the sister OF the late King
Edward and former Princess Royal of
England.
The fine estate was bequeathed by the
Due d'Aumale to his granddaughter. the
Due d'Orleans who usually resided at
Wood Norton for at least two months
during the shooting season. There was
a great gathering OF royalty there in
1907, when Princess Louisa dOrleans
was married to Prince Charles de BOur-
bon. The principal lodge at Wood Nor
ton is guarded by the splendid wrought
iron gates which once had been at the
entrance TO the royal palace OF Yer
sailles. A beautiful Roman Catholic
chapel adjoins the mansion.
The lot OF the Due dOrleans as a
royal exile has been a verltable bed Of
roses. for at Wood Norton regal style
IS maintained. the due is addressed as
'Votre Majestic" and the duchess in a
like manner by the servants and friends
and visitors, and the heur de lis OF
France is emblazoned everywhere upon
walls. over doors and trellis The place
has proved a most convenient refuge
for fleeing royalty. such as the King
Of Portugal, and for several other Or
leans and Bourbon exiles.
/ dare say. when all Is told and
known. the British government is not
sorry TO see this duke leave. For Wood
Norton was a hotbed Of Iegitimist agi-
tation and ultimately might have in
volved England in unpleasantness with
her good friend and neighbor across the
Canal la Manche." Nor will Downing
Street be In tears n Il really should come
to pass that the new young sovereign
Of Luxembourg should carry on as her
royal cOnsort the ex-King OF Portugal,
another trouble breeder, whose doings
at his Richmond home are watched
p=stty clOsely-On the quiet
FLANEuR.
CCOpyriEht. 1871, by Court Gossip syndicztsJ