The Washington herald., 1914-05-31
FEW AMERICANS
ATL0NDON LEVEE
Women from This Side TAX
ing Little Part in Affairs of
English Society.
MISS SOME FUNCTIONS
Ambassador and Mrs. Page Loudly
Praised and Embassy Is Scene
of Influence.
By THE COUNTESS OF WARWICK

4
Special csbls 10 Ths Washington Herald.
I London. May sa-I have been confirmed
in my belief about the position Of Ameri
cans in London society Just now by tn,
events Of the past few days.
At Mondays levee I noticed that the
| American Ambassador was not present.
ing anybody, and the Duchess Of MARI,
borough's big dinner party on the same
night though remarkable in many ways
was perhaps most remarkable for the
very small number of American women
present. The Duchess of Roxburghe, the
Countesses Of Craven, Essex, and Gra-
nard. Lady Craven. Mrs. John Astor;
Cora, Countess of Stafford. Mrs John
Ward. Mrs. Almeric Paget. and Mrs
David Beatty certainly were there, but
the long list Of guests, however carefully,
scanned. will yield very few more.
Personally. / think American women
are not playing the part in society at
present to which their charm and social
gifts entitle them. There Is q great
chance for the English woman with COM
manding position who will take up the
whole question on disinterested grounds
For myself, I believe Angio-American re-
lations cannot be too cordial, and they
may easily not be cordial enough.
London and the country generally owe
O kICdt uCdl u OuT AIcIlCdu NIBltOTH
1t is nothing but a fashion Of the moment.
a transitory fashion. too believe, that
is keeping American women in the back
ground.
Praise of the Pages Heard.
I hear on all sides nothing but loud.
genuine praise of the American Ambas-
sador and Mrs. Page. II was very gen.
orally believed that with the passing Of
III n-sl -NxA
and highly developed social gifts made
his entertainments the talk OF London.
that the glory had departed from the
American Embassy. Mr.. Page was re-
garded as a democrat and scholar and
society has no special use for either.
This opinion seems now to be a thing
of yesterdays, but 1t Is in reality relic
of the forgotten past. Mr.. Pages worth
as q man is very generally acknowledged.
manner has raised for her host of
friends in the most exclusive quarters,
circumstance that reflects the greatest
credit on all parties. Mr.. and Mrs. Page
are now eagerly sought after and the
American Embassy il once more Q center
Of influence.
The dismal prophecies Of those who
were convinced that so far as social
influence is concerned the embassy might
nave dcSldIcu lls HletOTg dt du Gnu WuSn
Reid died have been falsified
by the facts. The Pages in a very short
time have impressed the best circles Of
London with a sense Of their solid worth
and the Presidents choice is seen to be
fully justified.
do not propose to make this column
a chronique scandaleuse. but l cannot re-
frain from a brief comment upon certain
social tragedies that are being much dis
L.
now. There are at least two cases in
which men and women gifted by fortune |
with all that can be given its latter-day |
may have some trouble in keep |
ng their unhappiness from the unsym- |
PATHETIC public gaze.
Strain on Society Women.
Happy marriages. We are told. are |
made in heaven, but. as a great wit once |
aid to me. the brand is not exported"
always think the women in society who |
lave to pass from one function to an
,ther. day after day. at this time of the
'ear are greatly to be pitied when some
erious trouble affects them as mothers,
wives, or daughters. They must keep l
milling faces; they must move as though /
othing were amiss. though all their inti-
mates know and politely ignore the heavy
orrows weighing them down. Women in
ess exalted positions have at least the
elief of solitude. |
1t is a pity that this tragedy of social
ife has never been expressed with suf-
Icient force or eloquence to claim the
Of the general public. Unfor-
the most popular writer's about
ociety know very little of Its inner
istory.
The most important function Of the
Teek was, of course. the Duchess Of De-
onshire's dinner-dance at Devonshire
louise on Derby night. Since the Access
ion Of King George and Queen Mary.
ave last year when the Duchess Of De-
onshire was in Germany. 1t has been the
ustom of the Queen to honor the Ouch
IS by dining with her on this night, when
he King gives a dinner at Buckingham
alace to the members Of the Jockey
lub. However. for the last three Derby
ights mourning has prevented the Queen
'om staying on for the subseousnt
ance.
wednesday nights function was ex-
-emely brilliant. Dinner was served in
he saloon, a noble apartment. 1t was
rived at a large square table, the floral
ecorations being Of Prince of Wales and
Talrnaison carnations, In superb silver
late, part Of a very large set made for
le sixth Duke of Devonshire. A portion
, II consists of candelabra- supported
eXQuisitely modeled classical fgures ]
aging on reed instruments. In the
inter of the table was high silver vase
which was arranged a trophy Of white
lilies
No American Women Present.
1t is significant to note that not a
ngle American woman was invited to
e feast. as 1t Is well known that every
,stess Of either the King or Queen. or
9TH. has to submit list of intended
tests for the approval of their majesties
Queen Mary left before the guests began
arrive for the dance, which was, of
urse, a very brilliant affair. The ball
ON had no decorations. save blue
'drangea in the freplaces. There were
rec supper rooms. In these were round
bles, each seating twelve. All were
corated with May-day pink carnations
silver dishes, and on each were tall
ver candelabra
some magnificent dresses were worn.
le Duchess Of Devonshire's dress was
soft black brocade draped with chains
d ropes Of jet and having long flowing
ewes Of black tulle. A high and very
autiful tiara and corsage ornaments
re worn. and many ropes Of pearls and
lmonds as neck ornaments
he Duchess Of Portlands dress was Of
yer tissue with q tunic OF silver net =
- = Il