Evening star., 1923-08-16
Superstition Bars Christmas Fires
From Refugees in Palace of Anhalt

and presented her with. ring in
token of gratitude stipulating. how
ever, that the ring must always be
kept in the ducal palace. so that the
family might prosper and the dynasty
of Ascania never become extinct.
Finally, before disappearing, the
woman warned the princess that
great care should be taken of all
fires on Christmas eve, because OF
that night the palace might easily
be destroyed.
The ring is still in existence 1t is
made of gold of a pale color and
adorned with three diamonds. The
stones are very ancient and not well
cut or polished, the outsides being
triangular and the central one oh
long. The ring is preserved to this
day with religious care. hidden away
In the immensely thick walls of the
Dld palace somewhere in the vaults,
which are of enormous extent. II is
only the young duke who has the
key of the safe and his uncle and
former guardian. Prince Aribert, is
the only other person who knows OF
it's exact location. Moreover, the
warnings of the Lady Toad. or. as
she is known in Germany, OF the
Frau kroete," are still strictly
needed, as the ex-duke's provision in
turning over his palace to the gov
ernment clearly shows. All fires in
the palace have for centuries been
extinguished early on Christmas eve.
no matter how cruelty cold the
weather. No Christmas trees are
ever lighted on that night, while.
1918, the grand master OF the house
hold. the principal officers of his
court and a large number of guards
patrolled the vast edihce from cellar
to garret until daybreak on Christ
mas morning.
Young Sir Edward Anson. who only
attained his majority last January
and whose impending marriage Lo
Miss Frances Pollock. only daughter of
Mr.. and Mrs. Hugh Pollock Of South
Chaid, Somerset, has just been an
nounced, is the sixth baronet of his
line, having come into the possession
of the family honors through the
death of his sailor brother. the late
Sir John Anson, who lost his life at
sea, in the English channel during the
last year of the great war, and who
had, himself, succeeded Sir Dennis An
son, the fourth baronet. who, just
| few weeks before the beginning of
the great war. had been drowned in
the Thames as result of a foolish
prank.
Twenty-six years of age and of
New Zealand birth, 1t did not occur
to Sir Dennis to grieve unduly for the
death, in rapid succession, of his fa-
ther and of his uncle, ind Ii did not
prevent him from taking part before
| month had passed, in particularly
festive nocturnal party, which had
| a tragic ending. The party boarded
a large steam launch at Westminster
bridge, at the close of the perform
ance of the opera at Covent Garden,
and steamed up the river, having sup
per and music on board. and return
ing to Westminster as the day was
breaking. The party which included
| the Duke of Rutland's daughter, Lady
! Diana Cooper, who has since won
| fame as a movie actress; the Raymond
Asauiths and Count Constantine
| Bechanderf son OF the then Russian
| ambassador In London, were very
merry, and when they arrived off Bat
tersea, Sir Dennis, who had been
| boasting of his prowess as swimmer
| and diver, was dared. by some of the
| crowd. TO jump overheard and give
| evidence of the skill which he had ac-
| uuired in New Zealand waters. This
| Sir Dennis proceeded to do and dived
| overheard fully dressed as he was.
| Seeing, minute or so later, that he
| was drowning, young Count Becken-
| dorf and eone of tho musicians jumped
| overheard, in turn, to save him, and,
| while the musician and Sir Dennis
| lost their lives, Count Beckendorf WAS
| rescued in q state Of compiete sxhaus-
tion.