The Washington herald., 1914-05-10
ARGYLL'S Death
DARKENS SEASON
Mourning Period Suspended,
However, During Visit Of
Denmarks Royalty.
AFFECTED cIIRZ0N BALL
AFFECTED CURZON BALL
Countess of Warwick Says Lady Irene
Is Charming Debutante. But Not So
Lovely as Her American Mother.

Special Gable to The Washington Herald
London, May s-The Duke Of Argylrs
death has had an unfavorable effect upon
the London season. which has just be-
gun to get in full swing. Coming, as 1t
did. Immediately preceding the long
promised visit of the King and Queen Of
Denmark an awkward clash arose over
the necessary period Of court mourning
and the round of festivities arranged for
the Danish royalties
The only way out of the difficulty was
that decided on, namely, TO suspend the
period of mourning during the time the
King and Queen are here so that they
may be entertained to the full.
knew the late Duke of Argyll well
He was a cousin Of my late brother-h-
law, the Duke of Sutherland. and the
two men were greatly attached to each
other in their own undemonstrative
fashion. The Duke of Argyle was in
many ways an exceptional man. He was
q poet and democratic in his sympathies.
He was a most excellent talker-some
people thought he talked too much
Loved to Talk.
A conversation was the chief thing that
mattered, and IL he couldn't find an in
telligent listener, he would accept dull
one. He told me more than once that
Canada gave him the time of his life.
He loved the Dominion and her people,
and the people responded to his regard.
His mind was curiously Scottish; he
never assimilated the surroundings and
sympathies of London society," and never
shared to any large extent his wife's ar
tstic tastes. For sport he had no use
at all. He could dispense with the rod
and gun without a sigh
Imperialism was his hobby. The i'm
perial idea obsessed him. He was
gentleman. a poet and a patriot, and l
never heard of him doing an unkind act
to anybody.
The Dukedcm of Argyll has always
been tinged with the color of romance,
and one wonders what the future has
in store for the new duke. who, until
recently. was better known as Mall
Campbell
The succession will have an interesting
effect on London society. as the present
duke is unmarried and for twenty years
has resisted the lure of fashionable
maidens and the overtures of clever
mothers. He is forty-two years old with
very simple tastes
There are those who say the new duke
Is an inveterate bachelor and will never
marry. That encourages one to take a
peep into the future, for. should this be
So at his death the title will pass to
Douglass Campbell. whose marriage to
Miss Lawrence. beautiful young Ameri-
can girl, some years ago attracted much
attention.
lad named Ian. who is known TO every
one as "Fauntleroy." and who one day
may become the Duke of Argyll.
One more reference to the duke before
leaving my old friend to his rest. His
death cast a gloom over the Curzon ball
this week, which was given to signalize
the debut of Lady Irene Curzon, daugh-
ter of Lord Curzon and granddaughter
of the late Levi Letter. of Chicago. AL
though it was an extremely brilliant
affair it was bereft at the eleventh hour
of royal patronage owing to the dukes
death.
In an effort partially to make up for
this, both the King and Queen looked in
during the afternoon to inspect the prep
arations, which act of kindness was
much appreciated. AS to the affair itself
1t was very select. 1t was the first time |
for a good while that both the Duke |
and Duch--s of Marlborough were in |
vited, but not together.
The difficulty was bridged over by ask |
ing the Duke to dinner before the ball. |
while the Duchess received an invitation |
for after the dinner. The duchess looked |
very well. but her strenuous charities |
are ledNlHs lItlT On neT-
Mothers Beauty Richer.
Lady Irene, in whose honor the hall |
was given, looked charming and recalled
to many present her beautiful mother,
whose untimely death was a heavy loss
to society. The young debutante is to
have thoroughly good time this season.
Her two aunts have promised to chape-
ron her. namely, the Countess of Suffolk.
her mothers sister, and Lady Miller, of
Mandsrlon. her fathers sister.
Lady Miller has taken a house in Park
Lane for the especial purpose of enter
tanning her niece, while Lady Suffolk
who cordially dislikes town life and cares
less for social gayeties is making con-
siderable sacrifices for her young rela-
tive.
Lady Irene is a very bright and at
tractive girl and considerable heiress but
she hasn't inherited all the wonderful
beauty of her mother. Mary Letter. OF
Chicago. Perhaps the two women present
at the Curzon ball. who attracted the
most attention. were the Duchess of
Portland and Lady Helen Vincent
Mr.. and Mrs Henry W. Marsh, of
New York. are now safely installed in
Warwick Castle. I hear. They are most