The Washington herald., 1914-05-24
SPURN WEALTH,
LOVE CHORISTERS
British Blue Bloods Prefer
Stage Girls to American
Newcomers.
SNUBBED BY ROYALTY
Maidens from United States Rapidly
q Losing in Prestige with
Aristocracy.
BY the COUNTESS Of WARWICK,

is most interesting topic Of converse
tion. and that is my excuse for mention
ing 1t now There can be no doubt that
their position has changed considerably
in the past few years, and not for the bet
ter. Indeed. unless a newcomer from the
Uniied States can add to the necessary
wealth and social charm the advantage
of falling into the right hands, her case
is weIl-nigh hopeless. The position OF
Americans who married into English
aristocracy years ago has been rendered
secure. Custom and friendship have made
Il them part of society itself, and speaking
yseneralIy, a popular element in il. With
newcomers the case is different.
Enthusiasm for Americans as Ameri-
u cans is dead or dying. L could not tell
you why. 1t is just an affair of the fash
ion of the times. Even the American
heiress seems tc languish somewhere be-
hind the chorus girl in the matrimonial
market. II is to the last named that the
lad of good family and established tradi-
tion seems in desperate haste to offer his
hand and heart. 1t is, of course. an un-
fortunate fact that many of the Anglo
American marriages in society turn out
badly. or, at least, unhappily, but society
in England is not given greatly to retro
spection or introspection. and I do not
think that the past-has the slightest in
fiuence on the present There are still
'plenty of men found running about after
American heiresses, but they are seldom
eligible or even desirable from the point
of view of shrewd woman. Unless she
Is careful they do her more harm than
good.
No ANTI i-Americans.
l wouldn't be thought to suggest that
there is any anti-American feeling. 1
have never noticed any hostility. but
only indifference and plenty of that. In
King Edwards time things were differ
ent new and pretty face and viva
cious manner appealed to King Edward,
and he told me on several occasions that
the smart American woman amused him.
p Some got an entree to court. others en-
tertained the King occasionally. But to-
day no newcomer from the United States
gan hope to get near the court except Off
.ciallyh through the American Ambassa-
dor. THE most lavish entertainment in
London wouldn't draw King George and
. Queen Mary-they wouldn't be inter-
ested
King Edward had a very keen and sub
tie sense of humor. Sometimes when an
act of royal graciousness sent hostess
into the seventh heaven of social ecstacy
he was laughing in his sleeve. having cor
rectIy forseen everything that would hap
pen. Again. when he came to the throne,
he was a man of mature age and his fam
ny had grown up. His frank liking for
the American element set and encour-
aged a fashion that has died out. Il
Wouldn't say an American woman cannot
now succeed in making her way if she is
clever. patient. and painstaking but as
far as succeeding in a hurry is con-
cerned. she might as well seek to storm
the Rock Of Gibraltar single-handed. She
must build widely and carefully, and not
only be advised wisely. but must accept
that advice and act upon it.
The Weeks DoinEs.
With this little dissertation off my mind
l must pass on to the weeks doings. 1t
has been a very busy time indeed. with
the pace quickening as the days went by. |
A favorite form of entertaining this sea- |
son is the dinner dance, that is, a hostess !
gives a dance to which she invites any |
, where from 100 to 500 guests. These |
guests are divided UP between a number |
of sub-hostesses, who give special dinner
parties, mostly at well-known restau- |
the dance.
There have been a number Of these dur |
ing the week, but undoubtedly the most |
outstanding success belongs to Mrs. AL |
fred Anson. whose first appearance as a |
great hostess last night is hardly likely |
TO be eclipsed by anything of the kind
during the season. Mrs Anson. whose |
husband is a brother of Lord Lichfield, |
only quite recently Joined the Anglo /
ris ri
rage, although. as Mrs. Emery. of New
York. she was regular visitor to Lon
don during the season for years.
Another smart function Of the week
was a luncheon given by the Countess Of
Grenard at Forbes House. Mayfair. This
was attended by many well-known wom-
emit was for men only. The Duchess
OF Marlborough had busy week, but
found time to preside at a meeting held
at Sunderland House. in aid of the Brit
ish women's Patriotic League. Taking
for her theme Patriotism the duchess
said that it. was much more part of
national life and especially school life. in
the United States than In England. She
could never forget, she said. the beauti-
full ceremony which always opens the
American school day, namely, the salut-
ing of the American flag. There were
several other speakers. and so large an
to be held.
Give Charity Matinee. ..
Great credit is due to Lady Strafford.
formerly Mrs. Colgate, Of New York, Tor
her energetic work in successfully organ
izing a matinee in aid of the waits and
strays of society, which was held this
week at Adelphi Theater. The Anglo
American element was very strongly to
the front in this good work. Among
American women helping were Lady
Randolph Churchill. Lady Essex, and
Lady Cunard, besides Lady Stranord. The
program was also largely indebted to
Americans. for. among others, the con-
tributors were Ethel Levy. Melville Gid
con. and Ina Clair.
The Duchess of Manchester has gone to
ireland for a long stay. and evidently
will not take much part In the seasons
social doings.
! Recent arrivals of well-known Ameri-
cans for the season include Mr. and Mrs
Richard Mccreery. who have returned to
their house In Grosvenor Crescent from
Paris: the Hon. Mrs Henry Coventry. :
who has also returned from Paris. and J
Mrs g. ogifvy Haig. who has been in