The New York herald., 1922-06-11
The Lucku Doq that Barkpd mA GordonL Lennox


When the boy was born he was called
Charles Lennox and received the estates
OF the ancient Scotch family of Lennox,
which had just died out. Later he was
created Duke of Richmond, a title hith-
erto used in the royal family and also
Duke of Lennox. Eventually he inher-
tied from his mother the title of Duke of
Aubigny in France. In comparatively
recent years the ancient Scottish duke
dom of Gordon became extinct and it was
revived in favor of the Duke OF Rich
mond. The present duke is therefore the
proud possessor of four dukedoms, which
is a record in the British peerage.
The manner of the dukes descent from
King Charles ii. may seem little sur
prising to Americans and not the sort OF
thing one may boast about, but 1t must
be remembered that such relationship
to the King was regarded very highly in
earlier generations. Indeed, the Gordon
Lennoxes are still very proud of their
French ancestress. The writer recalls
few years ago hearing a lady of the
Gordon-Lennox clan referring critically
to the behavior of one of the Duke Of st.
Albans's family, the latter duke being
descendant of Charles ii. and Nell Gwynn,
the actress
What can you expect from strolling
actresses brats?" said the Gordon-Lennox
representative.
do you think you ought to criticize
their origfn?" ventured one of her
hearers.
"Oh, but Nine. de Keronalle was a
lady" came the answer quickly,
Ever since Charles II. made his son a
duke the family has occupied the fore
most place in English society. 1t has
figured in history scores of times. 1t
may be recalled that it was the Duchess
of Richmonds celebrated ball at Brus-
sells that was interrupted by the outbreak
of the battle of Waterloo. This was the
ball described by Byron in his poem
which contains the much abused line "On
with the dance! Let joy be unconfned!"
Among his many castles and estates
the Duke of Richmond possesses very
beautiful place called Goodwood, not far
from London, on which there is a famous
racecourse. The country here is COM
monty called Glorious Goodwood," on
account of the beauty of the surround
ings. 1t has been customary for the
King or some representative of the royal
family to stay at Goodwood House dur
ing the race meeting.s Goodwood and AS
cot are the two race meetings which the
King always attends If possible to show
breeding of fine horses.
Among the prominent members of this
historic family is Lord Algernon Gordon
Lennox, brother of the present Duke
OF Richmond. His wife, half-sister OF
the Countess of Warwick, was considered
the most perfect and lovely specimen of
blond beauty in England. She was at
the height OF her beauty and social pop
ularity at the time King Edward, as
Prince of Wales, became mixed up in an
unpleasant game of baccarat.
Lord and Lady "Algie" have beauti-
full daughter, who is now the wife of the
Marquis of Titchfeld, heir of the Duke
of Portland.
Lord Algernon always has been lover
of dogs, and on his estates keeps hun
dreds OF "mutts" which he has found,
homeless, wandering on the highways.
He has always said that the Gordon
Lennox interest in dogs embraces every
member of the family, and this just be-
cause one of the founders Of the line was
barked at.
The Gordon-Lennoxes are very nu-
merous family and all of them do not
give their time TO society One of them
is Cosmo Gordon-Lennox, the playwright.
who remarked the popular musical COM
edy star Marie Tempest.
Like other great land owning magnates
in England, the Duke OF Richmond has
been embarrassed by the enormous post
war taxation He has Just announced
that he will have to sell of his Huntley
Lodge estate in Aberdeenshire amount
ing to 10000 acres. in order to meet his
tax bills.
There is perhaps a mystic innSence at
work in the fact that Mrs Gordon-Len-
nox has appealed to Mrs Edgar Saltus
for assistance The late Edgar Saltus.
the author of Imperial Purple" was the
writer who would best have appreciated
the picturesque graces and extrava-
gances of the days of King Charles IL