The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-30

a TO little 6uttering OF the dovecotes at Buck
IN lngham Palace has been caused by the
lntimaton that has been recently made
TO Queen Mary that some hostesses who had
been put down on the list of those who might
expect 10 be honored with visit from Their
Majesties in the coming July and August at
their country houses were anxious to be omitted
from the list.
Prominent among those who have sought TO
be relieved OF the distinction OF a royal visit
are the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk. The Duke
has in the past few years laid out nigh mat
ter of quarter of a million OF money in i'm
proving Arundel Castle and the Sussex estate.
and the Duke and Duchess, TO replace this heavy
capital outlay, have been living very quietly
and exercising many economies
royal visit to Arundel Castle is therefore
the very last thing in the world they would de-
sire II would cost the Duke at the lowest es,i
mate S5O.Qo0-the recent royal visit to the Duke
and Duchess OF Portland at. Welbeck is said
10 have cost the Duke $4,000.
Among the big items in the expenses which
the host of the sovereign and his consor have
TO hear are the installation OF temporary
teleeraphc wire and the establishment of a
postal and Geographic office at his house. Then
the suite of rooms Their MaJesties to occupy
have TO be entirely redecorated, and large staff
OF extra servants have to be engaged
royal visit. between guests and servants,
means the feeding of at least 100 persons a day.
eUmptuousy. "
The visit lasts as a rule five days ana the
host Is lucky If he can get out OF it at $4,000
day.
The Duke and Duchess of Norfolk had there.
tore. good r, Eon for Wishing that when the
King and Queen begin their progress Of country
visits. Arundel Castle might not be made ono
OF their hating places
When they heard that this was inst vha,
Their Majesties intended TO do the duchess
TOOK counsel with Lady Eva Dugdale lady in
waiting who is particular friend of Her
Grace. and besough her by hook or by crook 10
get Der and the Duke relieved of the honor Of
having TO entertain Their Majesties
This Is no; the first time that the Duke and
Duchess have "dodged" royal visit
couple OF years before the late Kings
death the Duke threatened with visit
from King Edward and Queen Alexandra
through Lord knollys. however the Duke was
able 10 hint TO His Majesty his desire TO escape
me distinction or becoming host OF royalty;
King Edward took the hint in perfect good hu.
NOR and the visit never happened.
In the present instance, however The hint had
TO be conveyed 20 Queen Mary. for II is Her
Majesty who plans and arranges all matters in
connection with the royal visits; il was ac-
cepted by no means cheerfully or agreeably.
end Lady Eva Dugdale is mos, unlikely ever
again TO undertake TO perform such mission
as she did for the Duchess for any one
IT was 10 ne sure. a delicate and difficult
mission, and the trouble seems 30 have been
that Lady Eva, who is one of the most init
mate friends Queen Mary has did not quite
appreciate It's difficulty or dercacv
Without much preliminary diminishing she
came TO the point and put Il quite plainly "a
Her Majesty that the Duke and Duchess ot
Norfolk would not, for the reasons already
stated, find royal visit very agreeable or con
ventent this year.
Queen Mary has been heard 10 say that one O,
the qualities she so much adrires in Lady Eva
Dugdale is her "downrightness" But on this
particular occasion, had Lady Eva been less
downright and more diplomatic she might have
been saved most disagreeabe quarter Of an
hour
queen Mary has great regard for Lady Eva
out the gulf that separates Queen from her
ladies in waiting is wide and deep. and Queen
Mary let her friend know this and that she con.
sidered il something approach an imperti.
nence Tor lady In waiting to have Undertaken
sucE mission as had the luckess Lady Eva.
There Will be no royal visit this year 10 Arm
del Csstle but If ever tho Duke and Duches.