Arizona republican., 1922-06-25
LONDON SEASON IS
PROVING INTERESTING
ON PRE-WAR SCALE
Princess Mary And Wis
count Lascelles Likely To
Become Center Of Social
Life Of Capital
Republican A. p. Leased Wirel

Republican A. p. Leased Wire1
LONDON, June 24.-For the first
time since 1914 London is having a
month in which the activities of
small society are filling the news
papers with big headlines.
The program of notable events be-
gan with the ball which Viscount
Lascelles and Princess Mary gave at
Chesterfield house after returning
from their honeymoon. The court
at Buckingham palace, opening the
season. was on the old scale of pre-
war magnificence.
Princess Mary and her husband
by reason OF their position. youth
wealth and magnificent house. will
be among the foremost social lead
ers and invitations to Chesterfield
house will give the stamp of social
position next to a reception at court.
Many people go to Buckingham pal
ace because all the important Off
Gals must be received at the royal
function, but Chesterfield house will
be a center for society of the most
select and limited circle
The royal Ascot" Is always a.
brilliant affair and this years meet
ing promises to outshine even the
old days. The racing is for valuable
prizes, but this is secondary to the
social assembly and the famous dress
parade.
The king and queen, in a state of
semi i-attendance," drive across the
course every day with guests in
seven four horse landaus. So keen
is the anxiety of society leaders to
be in the picture that all the grand
stand boxes have long been sold and
applications for admission 10 the
royal enclosure, which depend upon
the selection by the court chamber
lain. have established a record in
numbers. The royal box and its i'm
mediate surroundings are already a
veritable bower of lilies, roses and
spires.
Fashions in dress are varied. but,
according to expert designers, large
hats and wraps and le-length
skirts predominated at the opening
of the races.
One noteworthy feature of English
society at present is the almost COM
plete disappearance of the American
set. In Edward Wis time it was
said that American women dominated
the court and society generally, but
since then the American notables
have gradually disappeared. Some
have died, and many wealthy Ameri-
cans who lived in England drifted
homeward during the war, and 9TH
ers have not come to take their
places.
King Sol has driven even the con-
vention- bound dignitaries OF White
hall to seek relief from his torrid
rays by discarding their vests and
wearing cooler clothes during the re-
cent heat wave.
In Downing street, where until
recent years few ventured unless at
tired in regulation silk hats and
porning coats, cabinet ministers and
high government officials have been
seen during the weeks of the Anglo
Irish conference hurrying between
the colonial and foreign offices and
the premier's residence clad in more
comfortable apparel. Some have
been vestless and others have been
seen wearing pear gray top hats and
morning coats OF light gray mate
rial Still others have been wearing
plain sack suits of materials similar
to the American Palm Beach.
An American embassy official who
had to make a quick trip TO No. 10 a
day or two ago, paused in momentary
embarrassing on the doorstep of the
premier's residence when he realized
he was wearing white flannel trou-
sers. blue coat and a panama hat
The door opened, and the American
entered. framing an apology, mean
while fearful that his dress was out
of harmony with the dignity of the
British prime minister. He was
shown into Lloyd Georges presence,
however, and there found the pre-
nlSer in a light colored Shantung
silk lounge suit.
Viscount and Lady Astor have
been trying to rest at their palatial
country estate at Cliveden since their
return from America. but in reality
their days have been as hectic as
any time they spent while in the
United States
The next day after their return
they attended the Derby and saw
Tamara go past the winning post
second only to Captain Cutie. Two
days later they witnessed Pogrom's
winning of the Oaks Stakes. Both
these horses are owned by Lord AS
tor. Since then the Astors have been
trying to melt down great accumu-
lation of correspondence, much of
which is incidental to Lady Astors
parliamentary WORK.
Legislation which Lady Nancy has
been trying to help through the house
of commons has necessitated consid
erable study and numerous confer
ences with other commoners. One
bill in which she is interested, the
criminal laws amendment bill, de-
signed to further safeguard young
girls, is scheduled to come before the
house June IA two days after parlia-
ment convenes. Another, the guard
ianship of infants bill, also is to have
an early hearing.
The day parliament reassembles
will be a busy one for Lady Astor,
as that evening she will be the guest
of honor at a dinner party at the
Hotel Savoy, given by the English
speaking union, and the American
committee of the League of Nations
union. to welcome her from her
American pilgrimage. Lord Lee of
Farsham will preside and $50 men
and women have been invited. The
spectacular welcome planned for the
return of the Prince of Wales has
been greatly modified because of the
assassination of Field Marshal Will
son.
The Daily Telegraph, in an editor
ial on Lady Astor's visit to America,
under the caption "A Bridge Across
the Atlantic" says:
THAT Lady Astor has succeeded in
drawing together the American and
English peoples we have no doubt.
and apart from the personal triumph
she achieved. she did to that extent
further justify. if further justifica
tion was needed, the daring of the
electors Of Plymouth and the chival-
rous attitude which the house of