The Washington herald., 1914-06-21
week WAS MOST
BRILLIANT EVER
Countess of Warwick Gives
Her Impressions Of Race
Meeting.
A GRAND GARDEN PARTY
NJ r. A. IL. A.-.k. O.. -. T1~.-
A GRAND GARDEN PARTY
Men Go to the Ascots to Lose Their
Money. Women to Display
Gowns.
ny rBE COUNTESS OF WARWICK.

ny TBE COUNTESS OF WARWICK.
Epecsal cabe to The wsshingtm,H Herald.
London, June 20.-It has been one OF the
most glorious Ascots ever experienced.
Delightful summer weather has prevailed
throughout and hundreds OF foreign Wis
itors. including a goodly proportion Of
Americans although ] feel some difi-
dence in describing Americans as for
eigners-saw the society race course OF
England In all its beauty.
The King and Queen were most assidu-
Gus in their attendance. while the great
surprise of the week was furnished on
Thursday, when Queen Alexandra, with
her sister, the Dowager Empress Of Rus
sia, motored down from Marlborough
House and made the most of their unex-
pected appearance in the royal inclosure.
Ascot is quite as absorbing to society
as the Irish question is 70 politicians. but
so far as visitors are concerned the sig
nificance of the gathering is decided by
their sex. A man goes to Ascot to see
the races, and incidentally to lose money
on the course where fortune almost in
variably favors the bookmakers. A wom-
an goes to Ascot to contrast her costume
with those of her friends and strangers
and to reveal the latest talents Of her
dressmakers.
Just q Garden Party.
To my sex Ascot is neither more nor
less than a garden party, and when con-
ditions are as favorable as they have been
this week, four days is not too long for
an al fresco entertainment doubt
whether one woman IN four takes the
racing seriously. She would rather be
sure of her ticket to the royal tnclosure
than have beyond doubt the winner of
one OF the classic races
foff
inclosure always is a source Of great un-
easiness and heart burnings. but 1t need
not be- have heard during the week OF
several persons who were bitterly disap-
pointed because, despite efforts worthy OF
a more serious cause, they could not earn
the distinction they covet But in the
case to which 1 refer there was no occa-
sion for surprise-the ladies in question
had not been presented at court, and were
in consequence ineligible. Without pres
entation you have no key to the royal
Enclosure, and the edict falls rather hard
upon Americans who do not know the
social rules.
Etiquette is not as widespread as 1t
used to be in court circles, but It is still
as rigid. Turning my memory back to
the closing years Of Queen Victoria's life,
! recall her distaste for the stage and
the consequent verdict that no member
of the profession should be admitted to
the Ascot royal inclosure-
Were Not successfuI.
There was a very charming American
actress who was most anxious to 90. and
as I and my sisters, the Duchess Of
Sutherland and the Countess of West
moreland, were really very much at
tached to her. we promised to do all We
knew how to have an exception made In
her favor. We did not lack influence, but
We met with no success. Everybody was
sorry; everybody was polite; but that
gate to the inclosure withstood our triple
attack, and the pretty and attractive lit
tie lady was forced to remain outside.
When King Edward came to the throne
he soon altered the rule. There were sew
eral actors with whom he was on quite
friendly terms. and there were few
actresses. 1t was not long before they
could be seen summing themselves on the
lawns whose chief attraction Is that they
are exclusive, but to this hour the re-
strictions avail to keep many q woman as
6isconsolate as the peril outside the gates
Of Paradise, and in far worse temper.
Ascot week has not been without its in
cidents. Paramount was the fear Of suf-
fragette disturbances and rigorous pre-
cautions were taken to prevent them. For
instance. members Of the royal house
hold who occupy houses on the royal es-
tain house parties for Ascot, were re-
Quested this year to submit for the ap-
proval of the King the names Of the
guests they intended to invite
Fear of the HFuries."
The ostensible reason for this quite un--
usual request was to guard against suf-
fragettes getting into the royal inclosure.
but another equally strong reason was
TO debar some operatic artists from the
royal inclosure who were TO be guests Of
a member OF the household. Rather than
comply with the request. all but one
member Of the household decided not to
entertain this year at all
Again, on the first day, at the request
of the Queen two women were asked to
leave the royal inclosure, as they were
engaged in advertising the latest form OF
trouser skirt They had obtained admis-
sion to the inclosure on tickets sent to q
lady who II financially interested IN q
modiste's establishment in Paris. The
tickets were taken from the women and
cancelled for the rest Of the meeting.
A laughable incident occurred Thursday
when a gatekeeper stopped Q well-known
lady In a long cloak with the request that
she open II to show that she was not
militant She angrily declined and. nnd-
ing the janitor obdurate. demanded that
a prominent ofieial be sent for. He ap-
peared. and the indignant lady greeted
him with a torrent Of protests.
MY dear lady" exclaimed the Official
"the fact Is. we have instructions to pass
nobody who is not wearing a diaphonous
costume"
The lady burst out laughing. threw open
her cloak and everything ended happily.
Teddy DodEes Society.
Next to Ascot. former President Roose-
velt's short stay in town this week has
been the most interesting event. He was
simply swamped WITH invitations to all
sorts Of functions. social and otherwise.
but declined practically ALL His dislike
for mere society" Is well known, and
most OF his time was spent in renewing
acquaintance with people who have done
something worth while. He stayed with
Arthur Lee, formerly military attache of
the British Embassy In Washington and
one Of the rising men OF the unionist
party, who married an American wife,
nee Ruth Moore, of New York.
Mrs. Longworth. the former Presidents
daughter. who came with him, II staying
for the remainder Of the London season.
Tbs Duchess of Marlborough, one OF the
notable absentees from Ascot, went to
the continent early in the week and prob
ably viii take the water cure at one of
the watering places. She is not very
strong physicsily. and never spares her
self In her arduous social ana charitable
laborA
Another absentee from Ascot was Lady
Ancaster. nee Breese. Of New York, who