The Washington herald., 1914-07-12
LADY STAFFORD
FETES ROYALTY
New York Woman Is Hostess
in London at Brilliant
Supper-Ball.
MANY AMERICANS THERE
George Bernard Shaw Makes Hurried
Visit to Arrange Russian Rights
to "Pygmaion."
Special Gable to The Washington Hsrold.

Special Gable to The Washington Herald.
London, July u.-This has been a pretty
mean season for many reasons, the CHIEF
being, of course, the unsettled political
situation caused by the Ulster possibili-
ties and Lloyd Georges finance. For these
two reasons many great hostesses have
done nothing in the way of entertaining
and no season can be brilliant or even
fair success when the most important
town houses remain closed
From another point of view, however,
the season has been and is huge sue
cess. Undoubtedly Americans saved It
from being a complete hasco. Today
there are more Americans here than at
anv time during the last three months,
with liners arriving almost daily bring
ing shfploads more. They were little
late in starting this year. but when once
started coming there is no stopping them
and while 1t is early for statistics yet, 1t
seems certain that the present year Will
provide a highwater mark in the number
of american tourists.
Lady StranOrd's Ball.
One of the few indoor entertainments
this week was the gorgeous royal ball
given by Cora, Lady Strafford, formerly
Mrs. Colgate. of ew York. at Chandos
House Wednesday night. 1t was one of
the few real big functions of the season
and must have cost many thousands Of
dollars.
At one time it looked as if the Ameri-
can countess might have a frost, as she
had a formidable rival dance TO contend
with. Lord Titchfeld, heir to the Duke
dom Of Portland, and probably the most
eligible and richest bachelor in England,
had fixed the same evening for his dance.
However, Lady STAFFORD won out and
glance over the list of those present is
an eloquent testimonial to her popularity.
Here are some of the royalties who
were present: Princess Henry of Batten-
berg, Grand Duchess Marie, of Saxe-Co-
burg: Grand Duke Michael of Russia, and
his two daughters; Prince Louis, of Bat
tenberg; and the Duke and Duchess of
Teck, all of whom dined with the hostess
before the ball Some of the younger
royalties came afterwards to the dance,
for which several hundred invitations
were issued. Besides these, nearly the
whole diplomatic service attended, am
bassadors and ministers being as plenti-
full as leaves in Nallambrosa.
Lady Granard. Lady Maidstone and
Lady Acheson, beautiful compatriots Of
the hostess, were among the guests and
each was escorted by her husband. Other
fair Americans present included Mrs
John Astor and Lady Craven, who wore
the glorious pearls which her mother,
Mrs. Bradley Martin, gave her on her
marriage 1t is. sure. however, she has
added to the collection recently. for be-
sides the rope, she had on a headdress, a
dog collar and two beautiful brooches, all
Of perfectly matched pearls.
Enter George Bernard shaw.
George Bernard Shaw. who is taking a
much needed vacation, dashed up to town
this week for a day S work and he ac-
compIished more in the twenty-four hours
he was here than most people would get
through in a week. His most important
appointment was with two Russian man
ayers from Moscow, who came TO ar
range for the Russian rights TO ''Pygma-
Eon" In this they succeeded and ii is
to be produced there before long. with
Mr. Shaw personally experimenting the
final rehearsals. What is bothering him
now. however, is to know what is to be
substituted for the word used by Mrs
Campbell in the play which has caused
so much comment.
While the duchess is on the other side,
the Duke of Marlborough entertained a
large house party at Blenheim over the
weekend among the guests being Lord
and Lady Granard. Cnee Mills. Mrs. Ar
thur James and Norman Brookes, the
rev amateur tennis champion, who re-
Gently surprised every one by beating An
thony Wilding. The duke is very fond
of tennis and plays n pretty good game
When he is staying at Blenheim during
the summer you will usually find promi-
nent tennis players among the guests
One hears the suggestion freely ad-
vanced that there will! be some tangible
mark of royal appreciation for Mrs.
Joseph Chamberlain, for twenty-five
years the devoted helpmate of the late
statesman. 1t is hard to believe, how
ever. in view of Chamberlain's own aver
sion to titled hOnors that his widow
would care to accept any offer in this
direction. 1t is known that some time
ago she told friends that she considered
the description. Mrs. Joseph Chamber
lain sufficient honor. 1t may be, per-
haps. that Austen Chamberlain will be
offered and may accept a title which
would have been his by heredity had his
father been so inclined.
Mrs Robert Goelet was the guest OF
Lady Warwick at EastOn yesterday. She
Travelled down from town with Moreton
Proven. the bi-metallist who married a
sister Of Lady Randolph Churchill Lady
Warwick gave a smart little luncheon
party at which several members of the
Harvard crew who won at Henley were
present.