Evening star., 1925-09-20

NEW YORK, September 19.-An in
teresting contest. with New York City
as the field. is being waged by the
members of the smart set here 10
escape the encroachments of com.
merce on their haunts and preserves
Already the greater part OF Fifth ave
nue. Is stripped of much of the glory
which marked II as the ,horoughfare
of the -four hundred and If the
latest plans for trade development are
carried out the last Of the baronial
mansions on the famous highway has S
but short time to survive. In other
words. the yardstick Is rapidly rout-
ing the walking stick.
But some of the society folk, true to
the lure and tradition. cf the
ancient Knickerbocker stronghold
have turned their backs on the attrac.
tions of Westchester, Long Island and
other smart residential sections. They
have decided to engage in somewhat
OF a hare.and-hounds match with the
invaders, and, quietly doubling on
their tracks, have begun tn recla m
the East Side districts which years ago
housed many social leaders.
The trend away from these places
began more than a generation ego
and as the wealthy families departed
rows of tenement houses sprang up
Now the abodes Of the poor, which
have been. abandoned by The toilers
themselves for better quarters. are to
be razed for the return of the ha.
rassed devotees OF the social life.
This migration of fashion is empha-
sized by the resurrected Sutton place,
while several of the streets in the
Sixties" and East End avenue have
given unmistakable signs of iedon-
ming festive attire. Among the well
known persons who have selected
residences In this section are the Duke
and DUCHESS of Richelieu. The
duchess. who is noted for her sweet
songs, Is a member of a distinguished
Baltimore family. her former name
being Miss Eleanor Douglas Wise.
Another victory for the preservation
of historical mansions in this city-a
project in which many we'll known
ciubwomen and society people were
interested-was the salvaging recently
of the shabby brick house at Prince
and Lafayette streets, where President
Monroe died. The structure is to be
moved to new site. surrounded by a
small park and preserved as the Mon
roe Museum.
The dwelling was erected in 1929 by
Samuel 1. Gouverneur, then postmas-
ter of New York, a son-in-laW of
President Monroe. After Mrs. Monroe
died the former President came to
New York from Virginia to live. and
was In the house with his daughter
and her husband. He was then an
obscure figure and in comparative
poverty.
Four years after his death the house
nd 1,Y A.
mark until 1905, when a bronze tablet
was placed on it by the Woman g
Auxiliary of the American Scenic and
Historic Preservation Society.
Wedding Engagements Listed.
Announcements OF engagements and
wedding plans are attaining a record
this Fall. and the background OF ru-
nance has added much to the social
affairs OF the early season. One Of
the most important betrothals was
that of Miss Lisa Gilman Todd to
George Eliot Leighton. Both are pop
ular in the younger set. Miss Todd Is
the daughter of Mrs. Henry Alfred
Todd of $50 Park avenue. Her father
was the late Prof. Henry Alfred Todd
of Columbia. Her grandmother is
Mrs. John S. Gilman of Baltimore. and
she Is a sister Of Mrs. Allen Welsh
Dulles Of Washington. She is a men,
ber of the New York Junior League.
During the war Miss Todd served
in the Y. NJ. c. A. overseas with the
French army. also with the Rainbow
Division in Germany. Later she was
with the Near East Relief In Constan-
tinople.
Mr.. Leighton is the son of Mr.. and
Mrs. George Bridge Leighton of Mo-
II nf q
was graduated from Harvard in 1917,
and during the war was an officer in
the Navy. He Is a member of the
Racquet and Tennis Club of New
York City and Harvard Clubs of New
York City and Boston.
Mr.. and Mrs. Fergus Reid of 226
East SiXty-frst street and Norfolk,
Va, have made public the engage
ment of their daughter. Miss Helen
Reid. to Baron Jean de Lustrac.
Miss Reid attended ST. Timothy's
School. Catonsville, Nd; Is a gradu.
ate OF Bryn Mawr College, and Is
member of the Junior League.
Baron de Lustrac, who is member
Of one Of the oldest families of the
French aristocracy, is the son Of
Baron and Baroness de Lustrac, for
merly Mile. de la Corbiere. He is an
off1cer in the French cavalry. served
throughout the war. and received the
Croix de Guerre and the Croix Beige.
The wedding will take place early
In December.
Mrs. and Mrs. Gardner Pattison of
277 Park avenue and Short Hills
have announced the engagement of
their daughter. Miss Emma Pattison,
to James Bond Skidmore, son of Mrs.
Lemuel Skidmore of Summit, n. j..
Miss Pattison attended the Kent Place
and Bennett schools. Mr.. Skidmore