Evening star., 1927-01-02
By MARGARET B. DOWNING.


ton of the splendid new home OF the
New York Historical Society, he met on
the platform of speakers Gen. George
A L. Dumont, military attaohe or the
French embassy, and Gen. c. E. G. u.
Charlton. who holds the same position
on the British embassy staff, ana TINS
coincidence gave a neat turn 70 the
American officers address. He traced
the heroic history of TiconderoSa
under the French. it's first conquerorS
from the Indians; then the BRITISH
and lastly the brilliant sortie of Ethan
Allen, who wrested it from the British
troops Then, showing that the old
fort was now 10 be the headquarters
of great md useful historical society
he said, it was fitting that its dedica-
ton to such a purpose should see a
french general on the list of speak
ers. all and fervently French as to
ideals and aspirations. A British gen.
eral, British throughout, was just as
timely, and now he. representing the
Army which holds the old fort in its
peaceful years, is a true-biue Amerl-
can, but he is also half French and
half English. The ground on which
the Historical Society's building has
been erected was presented by Mr.. and
Mrs. Stephen H. P. Pell, and they en-
tertained at luncheon the entire as
semblage of guests, something like
150 at their home, the Pavilion,
which is quite near the fort. The
beautiful home of John Hancock, on
Beacon street, Boston. but now demol-
ished, was reproduced by group Of
New York and Boston architects, and
is perfect to the last detail. The Han.
cock house. where the President of
the Continental Congress and signer
of the Declaration of Independence
was born was built in 1874, and was
deemed one of the most perfect colo
NAL dwellings in this country. Much
of the Hancock furniture has been
presented to the society.
Miss Edith Wolcott. granddaughter
of former Gov. Roger Wolcott of Con-
necticut Miss Joan Higginson and
Miss Anne Aver are such outstanding
figures in the debutante group of Bos-
ton that they have been called "the
big three" Their coming-out parties
were given in the CopleyPlaZa the
same week early in December, and the
balls were quaint New England fetes,
patterned after those of rs years ago.
Miss Wolcott is the daughter of Mr..
and Mrs. Oliver Wolcott, and has re-
Gently returned from Europe. Miss
Higginson is the daughter of Francis
Lee Higginson, jr., and the great
granddaughter of Thomas jefferson
Coolidge. Miss Aver is the daughter
of Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Aver, and
she, too. returned from abroad just in
time for her presentation to society.
The splendid ballroom was transformed
into the best room of an inn of the
1S50s, and the heavy rich curtains and
drapings of velvet and brocatelle, for
this evening, gave place to sprigged
muSltnS and gay cretonnes, while the
buds and their guests looked as though
they had stepped from a Copley or
Sully canvas. Miss Wolcott is to
spend much time in New York City
this month, for she has several cousins
among the debutantes there.
Thomas Aubrey Spring Rice. who
has Just succeeded to the title and es-
tates Of his father, second Baron Mont
eagle of Brandon, was second secre-
tary Of the British embassy here in
1914-16, when Sir Cecil Arthur Spring
Rice was ambassador. Only the most
distant tie of kinship existed between
the two families Sir Cecil came of an
English family and had been knighted
for eminent services in the diplomatic
branch. The Monteagles of Brandon
are Irish and their estate is near the
lovely village of Kiln1alleok, Limerick
These Spring Rices of the barony of
Monteagle are younger branches of
have been settled in Ireland for more
than a century. The new baron is
about 40, but is unmarried. He has
been first secretary of the British en-
bassy In Brussels since the close of the
World War, and previously had been
IN the embassy at Paris. He is the
son Of Edmond Spring Rice, who died
before the demise of the first baron,
who was Thomas Aubrey, like the
present heir. Lord Monteagles moth
er was the daughter of the eloquent
Samuel Butcher, Bishop of Meath. 1t
was during troubled times that
Thomas Spring.Rice was secretary of
embassy in Washington, and he was
dispatched several times during his
brief term on delicate affairs in To-
ronto. He was a fine athlete and took
much interest in the Boy Scouts, hik-
ing with them and enjoying their
meets.
Miss Adele Hammond, a debutante
of the Winter in New York. will be-
come bride almost before her debut
bouquets have withered, and her sis
ter Alice, not yet presented, will join
her at the hymeneal alter. These
pretty girls are daughters Of Mr.. and
Mrs. John Henry Hammond of New
York and Louisville and granddaugh-
tiers Of Mrs. Henry White. Miss Adele
spent the Summer with her uncle and
aunt, the Ambassador to Madrid and
Mrs. Ogden Hammond and Mr.. and
Mrs. John Henry Hammond made a
short visit to Spain to return with
her. She was presented in November
at a ball in Ritz-Carlton, but on Christ
mas eve her enga cement was an
nounced to John Kennel Olyphant
and her sister Alice's to George Vic
tor Duckworth, both bridegrooms pros
pectfve being from New York Citv.
Mrs. Henry White closed her Wash.
ington home in order to entertain for
her attractive granddaughters, and no
doubt these amenities will be given
later as pre-nuptial fetes, the wed.
dings being predicted to occur before
Ash Wednesday. These young ladies
are exceedingly talented and both have
spent much time studying art, music
and the languages. Interesting in
themselves, they are of additional i'm
portance as being the fifth generation
from Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt
founder of the family fortune. Mrs.
Hammond is one of Gotham's leading
hostesses and is besides a philanthro
pist and a patroness of music and art
She Is deeply concerned in civic re-
form and can make an eloquent and
convincing impromptu speech.
Senator and Mrs. James Reed of
Missouri are among the most sought.
for official guests in certain divisions
of society, yet few are so elusive in
the matter of acceptances. Society,
as IL is generally understood. bores the
caustIc and eloquent Senator quite Is
much as 1t did the late Woodrow WI.
son. and in this particular class he
has the privilege of accepting or de-
clining without making holes In prece-
a.,
tor and Mrs. Reed will celebrate the
fortieth anniversary of their maria pe