The Washington herald., 1914-07-05
London SEASON
NLAST GASPS
Pitiless Heat Wave Makes
; Capital a Veritable Melt
ing Pot.
TWO BRILLIANT AFFAIRS
But for Lady Astor's and Lady
Henry's Dances Society Would
Have Died of Ennui.
TWO BRILLIANT AFFAIRS
ny the CoUN TESS OF WARWICK,

ny the COUNTESS OF wARwIcFS,
Special oaols to The Washington Herald.
London. July 4-The London season
stunned this week by the terrible news
from Sarajevo and its wellnigh lifeless
body exposed to the pitiless heat wave
which made the metropolis a veritaoie
melting pot, Is now almost moribund.
It is occupied rather feebly just at pres
ent gathering what refreshment II may
from the omnium gatherum at Henley
and is looking eagerly forward to the cool
lawns at Goodwood and the sparkling
waters Of Cowes. But unless the temper
ature falls considerably. entertainment
soon will dwindle away to nothingless
and a rather tame, uneventful season
will be brought to a close.
KinE's Fondness for AuHtrinns.
Turning back for a moment to the trag-
edv that has provided the finishing stroke
for the season, call King Edward S
pronounced liking for Austrian society
] do not think he went to Vienna after
Crown Prince Rudolph died and he Of
Tended the viennese aristocracy or a large
section of it by his kindness to Baron
Hirsch. but he always liked to have
Austrians around him and never failed to
see those members Of the royal house
who visited London incognito.
think the murdered archduke came
over more than once during King Ed
wards reign, and had il been possible for
the latter to remove the social disabilities
under which the Duchess of Hohenberg
lsbored, he doubtless would have done II,
but opposition to the change was strong
in quarters where II would have been
least suspected. think 1 am committing
no indiscretion in saving that the chief
opposer was the aged Emperor himself.
The case Of the murdered duchess was
particurly sad. She proved herself de-
voted wife and mother and had strug-
gled hard to gain the recognition that
was her due, for all, the morganatic
businesss is i'll suited to the twentieth
century and no better than relic of bar
barism. Success was crowning her ef-
forts First Germany and then Great
Britain decided to remove the social bar
riers II is an almost open secret that the
near future held a still greater change
in store in reference to the offspring of
the murdered couple.
Franz Ferdinand may have been soured
and in some respects fanatical, but he
had an extraordinary sense of duty and
the belief that he must Justify his high
once. OF his wife it is impossible to
speak in other terms than OF admiration
and respect Her early life at court
where precedence is a matter OF the very
first importance would have soured any
but a very gracious disposition.
Henley Proves Successful.
As to Henley, l was unable to he pres
ent myself. owing TO a long standing en-
Eagement in the Midlands, in connection
with some settlement work in which l
am greatly interested.
hear Henley has proved a success.
and this was doubtless due in a large
measure to the healthy American inter
est and blood infused into it this year.
American interest brought out large
assembly of American and Anglo-Amer-
lean society. and from all hear II mas
been one Of the Iveliest, merriest. and
most successful Henleys for many
year. although hardly so socially.
OF the entertainments during the week
there is little to say, beyond dlnner
given by Mrs John Astor at her pretty
Crosvenor street house. Some nifty din
ner invitations were issued, while later
many well-known people came on 10
dance Mrs. Astor, who is one or the
most charming American hostesses IN
London, wore a dress OF mauve satin
with diamonds.
knnnr the guests were Grand Duke
Michael, Of Russia; Countess Torby, with
her two lovely daughters; Countess Zia
and Countess NADIA Torby, and the Duch- |
ess of Rutland and her daughter, Lady
Diana Manners. Among the American
I.adv Alastair Innes-Ker. and Miss Alice |
Chauncey.
Another entertainment worthy Of COM |
roent was the dance given by Lady Hen |
~ wife Of Sir Charles Henry. Lady |
Henry. who was formerly Miss Lewisohn, |
~ New York, issued 500 invitations to the |
dance, which was in honor OF the conf
inT of age Of her only son, Cyril Henry. |
Represents Garden Scene.
special ballroom was built in the !
Garden of her house in Carlton House
Terrace. being rooted with panels Of
1reen and pale pink, while natural trees |
and garden foliage appeared in II as they |
rrew. Long mirrors were placed at In
teryals and the spaces between were LEFT /
on.n to the gardens. The supper room
X.as built on the terrace of the Royal
Automobile Club, which was illuminated |
Among the prominent guests were Pre-
r,ier and Mrs. Asquith, the American
AMBASSADOR and Mrs. Page, MI ana
Mrs IIoyd-George; in fact, nearly every |
one Of importance, or with any claim TO
connection with the present government
Sor Sir Charles Henry, besides being a
rIoss nersonal friend Of Lloyd-George, as
= - .uDnorter in Parliament.