The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-09-08


 rate, is very much surprised to learn that Millicent, Duchess of Sutherland is pra acticaly relinquishing all her property and interests in England, and proposing from this time henceforward to make Der permanent home in France. As matter of fact, this very pretty and tall ertcd woman who regned for good many years in London society as an un- crowned queen, both of beauty and brains, did not by any means take kind ly to becoming "dowager" when her son married the present Duchess of Sutherland, who is mistress of the robes to Queen Mary. Probably the "Millicent Duchess" Gas she is popularly knoWn) bore in mind that old-time English couplet which runs:
 "A daughters daughter all of her life; A son is son till he takes him a wife.
 At any rate, "Mllicent Duchess'S was seen very little after the young dukes marriage. She has been doings fine work with her hospital in France, which has not come under the somewhat severe criti- cism that has been meted out to other equally aristocratic institutions of the kind during the past three years. As a| matter of fact, the widowed Duchess of Sutherland is a decidedly practical woman who has had a good deal to do with the more or less seamy side of life, and even in the days when she reigned as hostess at Stafford House-that wonder full mansion near St. James palace, which is now the London museum-she showed decidedly unconventional atti- tude toward the highly conventional codes that were a necessity of the late Victorian era.
 One of my most vivid remembrances of the "Mllcent Duchess is an enter tainment she gave to the women journal ists of London at Stafford House about 15 or 16 years ago. The house was prac- tically thrown open to the working jour nalsts of this big city and it's hostess standing at the top of the superb flight. of marble stairs leading into the great | hall and reception rooms of her historic mansion, gave one and all the kindliest and most personal of greetings. Even in these days of tall women she is remark able for her long, 1.-the figure, and on this particular evening she was wearing wonderful gown of white velvet sewn with a pattern of sparkling diamante paillettes, and with this she wore her gorgeous crown of diamonds with one large turquoise set low upon her brow beneath which her fair hair waved back
 into large classic knot on her neck The effect was really wonderful as study in feminine grace, and many of
 
 case were so amazed by it that their greetings of the hostess were often eX- ceedingly quaint. However, the Mill cent Duchess was always woman or very fine breeding, and she did not by the flicker of an eyeiash betray the fact that she was considerably surprised by the manner in which many of her guests received her kindly greetings
 She is, by the way, sister or Lord Rosslyn who good many years ago made the pretty American actress, Anna Robinson his countess. Poor Anna diea only a year or two ago Tn extreme pow erty and considerable misery in New York boarding house. It was not untl was recently in New York that l heard some of the tragic facts of her mlserapis end. I remember so we'll the pride with which she, in the early days of her mar riage to Lord Rosslyn, displayed huge photograph of the Duchess Of Sutherlahd and explained that it was her sister-lh- law, Milly Sutherland"
 I think I am right in saying that the Duchess of Sutherland IS the ohly peeress of that rank who mas Writleh and had a play produced for run at West End theatre. But this is the case with the mother of the present duKe' and Sir Johnston Forbes-R -RoDertsoh, the famous actor, was the inaHaeer sufficiently brave to present thls ara matic work. I am afraid It was not great success, but still the record was achieved and the fact that her grace is actually playwright who has been produced is often cited when her name is mentioned
 l am told. however, of another peer ess who is soon also to court Fame upon the stage and this is the Marcni- .oness of Townsend, who occaslohaiiy has contributed good deal to the
 ,s,>.S. Of .nn Life. Lady Townsend, however, has really written, so am told, decided- ly amusing three-act comedy or suour- ban life, and there are chances or US being seen at d West End theatre during the present year. AS Miss Gladys Sutherst Lady Townsend cer- tainly had every opportunity or study ing the phase of life which she has so cleverly put into her comedy anu as she has considerable sense or humor, which is perhaps not always appreciated by the public, she certain ly ought to succeed.
 l. is only during the past four or five years that the Marquis and Mar chioness of Townsend have made Lon- don their home,< Previous to that they lived very quietly in a pretty house near Maidenhead, which was on the River Thames. Now, however, they have a beautiful, old ld-fashioned house at Regents park. which is one or the pleasant wooded districts that IS actu- ally within the boundaries Of town. It is since the residence of Lord and Lady Townsend in London that an her to the title as well as a daughter has been born, both of which arrivals caused considerable joy to everyone except the famous General Townsend, the defender of Kut. who. before the birth of the Townsend infant, was heir -presumptive to the marquisate. l have frequently mentioned in my letters from London the fact that considerable amount of disappointment was always occasioned to many of the soldiers of the allies who take their leaves in London, that no dancing in public places is permitted to men in uniform within the London district. l have an idea that this order will very shortly be rescinded because a great many newspapers. both by correspond