The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-22

London, March al suppose it does not affect the majority of London-living people in the least as far as social att mosphere is concerned, but it certainly Is extraordinary what a difference a change of prime ministers has made to that comparatively small circle which we dub "the West End set.''
 Mrs. Asquith, who has retired from Downing street with the late prime min ister, and Mrs. Lloyd George, who ieigns in her stead, are two personalities the difference between whom is so great as to make ordinary comparison impossible. Mrs. Asquith, of course, needs no bor- rowed halo from political party or po- sition to place her in a situation of inn portance in regard to the well bred world. In spite of the many things that have been and still are said about her, the wife of the late prime minister has a gift as hostess and a society leader that cannot be cultivated; it must be la portion of ones birth and upbringing For years past she has reigned as a witty, tactful and dominating personal ity, and no amount of intrigue or scandal will lessen her influence over an inn mense number of men, and especially women.
 Even in the days when she was the unmarried Margot Tennant, she was adored and (greatest compliment of alb hated by very large circle of influ- ential people, and it is not likely that, now Mir. Asquith is no longer prime min ister, his wife's personality will cease to nakeyitself felt.
 ABSOLUTE ANTHITHESIS
 Mrs Lloyd George is, of course, the complete antitheSis of Mrs Asquith. She Is absolutely (were we not naturally very chary of using such expressions nowa- days) what we would have called be- fore the war, a ''hausfrau." She looks like a plump, comfortable, kindly soul, who has lived most of her life in a country district with no disturbing thoughts beyond her nursery. her kitchen and her daily household rounds. I was watching her the other day when she sat in box at a big charity matinee at one of our most fashionable theatres. Beautifully dressed women came in to sell her programmes and to probably do the polite thing" as far as she was concerned, and prattle some of that in- sincere nonsense that all of us are wont to indulge in when we live in big cities. Mrs Lloyd George was obviously em- barrassed most of the time and only saw her melt into lack of self-conscious- ness once when tiny child todG.ed along to her box and presented to her posy |of flowers to which was tied a check for one of the prime minister's Welsh charities. Then you saw her at her best. and in her rather dowdy grey satin gown and her somewhat sad attempt at a smart hat. she looked what she is, a real "mother-woman."
 I fancy this is the spirit that also animates to special degree Queen Mary. whose rather passe hats and dresses are wont to be spoken of disparag gingly by sthe smart set" Queen Mary. so any, one who knows anything about her will tell you. has always been almost a martyr to overwhelming shyness; tn |. most fatal complaint from which queen can suffer.
 STORY IS TOLD
 remember hearing story told of her some years ago by the private secre- tary to the Duke of Westminster. It was in the days when King Edward was alive and the present King WAS Prince of Wales. The duke had in his pos session at that time picture which the princess particularly desired to see and she came one morning with her lady in waiting and, was announced quite unex- Duke nor Duchess of Westminster were in town. Only the secretary was attend ing to his usual duties in the ducal study.
 As soon as he heard of the distin- guished visitor he naturally was much agitated and, with great nervousness went into the drawing room where her royal highness was awaiting his coming. When he entered the room he bowed deeply and felt himself at the same time blushing up to the roots of his hair. Then he looked up and saw the Princess of Wales with her hand extended and he noticed to his surprise that a deep blush was also suffusing her face. She said nothing and. of course, he said nothing. and the lady In waiting came forward to explain the reason of the royal visit Then the princess hesitatingly began tu say that she was so sorry to disturb him and then she blushed again. Ther she suddenly saw the absurdity of the whole affair and began to l..lgh. TT am feeling awfully nervous this morning." she confessed, tso don't take any notice of me. but do want to see that picture.' and in few minutes the atmosphere cleared and the princess, her lady-in-waiting and the secretary were chatting away as gaily as possible and the latter did not realize until after she had left what agonies the poor lady must daily suffer from the extraordinary shy ness which at times nearly overcomes her.
 AT BEST WITH CHILDREN Therefore. when nowadays. I see the Queen sitting erect, rather stiff, and ap- parently very cold in the midst of some nonstrous public pageant. always think | of the self-control that she must have exercised in order to train her nerves to a semblance of dignified calm. With chil- dren. with wounded soldiers and with people who are in ordinary ranks of life Queen Mary. however, is always at her best.