Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-21

duchess revealed a wide knowledge of
| art and literature. Again her tastes
are classical She loves old masters.
She prefers history and biography to
other books.
Keen Observer.
The grand duchess, however, Is far
from conservative in mind. She is a
keen observer One of her favorite
topics was the change that has taken
place in customs and habits since the
war She confessed she knew little of
modern life. having lived so much in
secluSion since the war, but she ap-
proved of the frankness and straight
forwardness of the present generation.
The grand duchess is fond of discuss
inc politics. Her point of view Is mostly
that of her father. But she is not re-
dictionary i'll any sense. Her chief con-
Germ seems to be the fate of the plain
people.
she has a great knowledge of history,
especially Russian history. Her favor
ties among her ancestors is Peter the
Great. She has great advantage as
a student of Russian history in that she
knows many facts of it which are gen.
orally unknown except by members of
the imperial family.
Knowing the grand duchess fondness
for birds. Mrs. Leeds presented her with
two parakeets.
Once out of their cage it was difficult
to get them to return. Much of my
time was consumed i'll rounding them
up.
One day, while assisting at this cere-
mony, the grand duchess exhibited a
flash of that vitality and JOY Of living
that distinguished her as a child. One
parakeet had ensconced himself on the
mantelpiece and was amusing himself
by throwing everything off OF 1t.
Sprang up to interfere. The parakeet
lowered his wings and beak and fought
me furiously.
Admires Fighting Spirit.
Look at him Look at him! EX-
claimed the grand duchess enthusi-
astically. Hes not afraid Of you. And
you must seem huge to such a small
creature. Doesn't he show admirable
spirit
When the grand duchess is feeling
well such incidents never fail to arouse
her enthusiasm. She admireS a fight
ing spirit And she can always see the
humorous side of things providing
nothing recent has plunged her into the
acute nervousness to which she is
victim.
She also likes to talk of her pets, and
is fond of animals of all sorts.
They are more trustworthy and de-
voted than humans" she said to me one
day. She told me the story of a cat
she had in Germany. Once the cat
jumped into her lap and sunk his claws
into her.
Il lost my temper and hit her." said
the grand duchess "She ran away, but
came back Immediately. / was still
smarting and raised my hand to slap
her again. But she didn't run. She
posted herself at my feet and stood her
ground. OF course, / didn't slap her
again. That cat really loved me-
When In good health, the grand |
duchess revealed herself as one of the |
most interesting conversationaliSts /
have ever known. On other days, when |
physically Ill. or when reminded with |
particular force of some unhappy Incl
dent of the terrible experience she sur /
vived she would hardly say word. 1t |
was obvious at these times that she was |
suffering mentally. 1t was very difficult |
for us. realizing that depth of her |
tragedy and how extensively inadequate |
any attempt at consolation would be, to !
witness her suffering and be unable |
to alleviate 1t In any way.
Happy in New York.
Considering what the grand duch- |
ess experienced in Europe. the wonder |
is not that she has these spells OF de- /
preston but that she has had will |
power enough TO come through as well |
as she has.
found nothing strange in the grand /
duchess fear of strangers. This re-
luctance Is interpreted by her enemies |
as fear Of being exposed as an i'm /
poster. believe she is sublimely in |
different to what people at large think |
Of her. She forbade us to address |
her by her title when strangers are |
present. Her sole concern is her rel |
atives refusal to recognize her. Even /
were my belief incorrect, 1t Is not hard |
to understand her fear of strangers |
after the years OF questioning, perse-
cution and distrust she has been |
through
The grand duchess was happy with !
her New York City hostess. One thing |
only was lacking-the ability to go out
doors freely. The grand duchess has
been accustomed to the open country
and much walking. She missed both.
Hence, We we're all very glad, some |
days after Mrs Leeds arrival, when
the car took the grand duchess to her
new home. the Leeds estate at Oyster
Bay. Long Island.
Copyright, 1928, by North American News
paper Allianee)
q