New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-06-14
LONDON SEASON
CALLED A FAILURE
Socially and Financially
May and June Show
Duller than in Years.
UNLIMITED GUEST
PLAGUE is BLAMED
Militant Activity and Party Bit
terness Regarding Ulster Also
Contributing Causes.
by cable to The Tribune. J

lBy cable TO The Tribune.
London. June l3.-The social and fnan-
cial failure Of the present London season
is conceded by all the classes interested.
Realty men. storekeepers and hotel man
ayers ioin with society folk in testifying
to the extreme dulness of May and
June as compared with former years.
Entertaining is called inferior both in
quantity and quality. Americans taking
little part therein either as hostesses or as
guests. Mayfair. Belgravia. Berkeley
Square and Park Lane are thickly dotted
with TO let" signs
one big realty operator told The Trib-
une correspondent yesterday that never
had so few houses been leased, and even
fats in fashionable sections are vacant.
Many explanations. of course, are offered.
Ulster. Mexico. the reduced American
tariff, even the insolvency of the Chaplin
Milne Grenfell firm, are blamed for the
lack OF gayety. There is no doubt that
capitalists are alarmed at the Mexican
crisis. and that aristocratic Unionists are
refusing society engagements because OF
their sympathy for Ulster.
Hotel Mans Explanation.
one of the Hotel Ritz managers says
that automobiles are largely responsible,
as folk with country seats near London
run in for those dances and dinners that
interest them particularly, ard spend
most of their time and money out OF
town. Occasionally they will stop for a
few days at one of the hotels, but they
are never in London over the week end.
The hotels were half empty until last
week. and may not be full again until
after horse show and Ascot. Business at
the restaurants is good because Ameri-
cans shun society affairs. but the fash
ionable shops are not doing well. wealthy
Americans seeming TO show a preference
Tor shopping in Paris, while the tourists
are seeking the more inexpensive estab-
shments
The lack of festivities worthy of new
owns is distressing 10 dressmakers So
oety women are going more and more 10
Paris for their wardrobes. The nobility
IS patronizing the night clubs with in
creasing enthusiasm, the unconventional
atmosphere Of these resorts proving very
attractive.
Pessimists point to the absence Of Ma
icr William Gillett founder Of the Bach
,lors' club the modern Beau Brumme
and London's Ward McAllster. from al
but a few entertainments as proof of the
seasons failure. Last year. though well
over seventy years old, Major Gillett was
at all the dances
Troubles Of Hostesses.
The unlimited guest plague and tn,
militants are also interfering with the
festivities. If a hostess escapes having
undesirables present without invitation!
she may have a suffragette disturbanc,
instead.
The evolution of the Kings sons anC
daughter from children TO grown-ups il
keenly interesting TO English society. Thf
Prince of Wales's final step from boyhooc
TO bachelorhood was signalized or
Wednesday night by his first appearance
at a semi-public dinner without his par
ents He was guest of honor of the on
GERS Of the Royal Yacht Squadron anc
STYLED lieutenant on the menu list. There
were no speeches, but the princes naive
and rather shy manner pleased his hosts
Russian royalties are to the forefront
this year in entertaining. and the Crane
Duchess Anastasa and the Grand Duke
Michael have been several times 10 Buck
ingham Palace. The latter's bali for his
daughter. Countess NADIA Torby, was, al
things considered the biggest event of The
season The Dowager Empress Of Russia
is visiting queen Alexandra at Marlbor-
Ough House. The Duchess of Argyll is
- stepping at KensingtOn Palace for the
first time In several years.
The Marquis of Butte, the Earl and
Countess Of Granard the Marquis and
Warehouses Of Zetland the Marchioness
of Lansdowne. the Duke and Duchess of
Hamilton and the Duke o. Rutland re-
turned to their town houses from their
country places this week.
Golden Weddina Celebration.
The celebration OF the golden wedding
OF Lord and Lady Heneage attracted the
older element OF the aristocracy on Tues
dav Lady Heneage daughter of the
Earl Of Listowel. was a maid of honor to
Queen Alexandra when the latter was
Princess OF Wales.
Next week the coming Of age Of the
Marquis Of Titchheid. heir OF the Duke OF