Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-25
Tales of Well Known Folk
In Social and Official Life
Americans Touring Italy Hospitality Received at
American Embassy, Now in Charge of
Its Capable Secretary.
BY MARGARET b. DOWNING.

their vacations spent in Italy between
its resorts on the Mediterranean and
Adriatic Seas, but this year, with the
post of Ambassador and of counselor
both vacant Mr.. Alexander c. Kirk,
first secretary, is kept too busy in Rome
To permit more than a week end vaca-
ton. Mrs. Kirk, his mother, has also
remained at Villa Spada except for a
brief recent visit to the Lido. She
proved a gracious hostess to the flyers
when at last the Pathfinder reached
Rome, and the garden fete given IN
honor Of the heroes of the air was one
Of the beautiful events of the Summer.
All of Rome, especially its American
element, was present, and many of the
transientS on touring expeditions en-
joyed the hospitality of Mrs. Kirk and
of the charge d'affaires. Venice, how
former diplomats from the United
States. Gen. Draper usually leased a
palace on the Grand Canal, and
Robert Underwood Johnson, who served
after the resignation of Thomas Mel
son Page, delighted in Venice and made
lengthy visits. He also has written
extensively of the Queen of the Adri-
attic. Occasionally in the book shops
under the arcades of the piazza San
Marco. William Dean Howell's "Vene-
tian Days" written when he was con-
sui. is offered for sale.
y
The King of Italy. although notice.
ably overshadowed in the public eye
by the vigorous premier, Signor Benito
MuSsolini. maintains a firm grasp on
the affections of his people, as Is shown
by the affectionate interest manifested
whenever he appears. Having an UNI
believably large number Of palaces and
royal villas at his disposal, he invart-
ably takes the opportunity afforded by
proximity to occupy each IN turn, at
least for a few hours. His splendid
palace on the Grande Canal is not
often open for more than day or so
when Venice holds her historic fiestaS,
but the villa out near Lido often has
the royal standard flying at the tower.
Queen Elena is mountain bred, ana
the sea does not make the appeal OF
the heights near the Summer court
resort beyond Turin. Princess Yolande.
daughters, however, delight in the
Lido and so does her brother, the
Grown Prince. He has a fine yacht
and often dips into the harbor OF the
Lido and joins his friends at the
Casino or in one of the larger hotels:
Royalty in Italy moves with ease ana
at will among the people, quite as
democratic as it is in Denmark or Hol-
land. and except on formal occasions
Is not hedged in by ceremony. Prin-
cess Mafalda, the oldest daughter mar
ried a major of cavalry and lives as
quietly as any army officers wife. and
except when she appears at court she
she Is interested in rearing pedigreed
horses in her private estate in Lom-
hardy.
The Prince of Wales. who has been
constantly in his own country since MS
fathers illness, is nevertheless repre-
sented at the Italian and other resorts
by the fashions he sets. Ever since
the present labor ministry was installed
an uncertainty has existed as to proper
masculine garb. Many have assaulted
the bowler or, as called on the other
side of the Atlantic, the derby hat as
an evil, and sartorial crime. In the
height of the controversy, the prince
saantered out in his bowler and all the
conservatives resumed theirs with COM
placence. Morning coats, to the amuSe-
ment Of visitors, have been as exhaus-
lively discussed as questions Of etiquette
were a short time ago in washington
and when the elite Solemnly pro-
nounces in favor Of black. the prince
will nonchalantly appear in gray with
wing collar and other departures from
the code. These warm days the British
heir Is more prone to leave off the
spats. whether white or gray. and often
has worn a panama hat, such as was
presented him whilst making his last
visit to Canada. After Americans the
Lido has more British guests than of
any other nationality-of the nautical
turn usually, and always clad in white
duck and looking very comfortable. The
Duke of the Abruzzi, whose beautiful
villa overlooks the Adriatic, spends
much time on his yacht In the Adriatic,
but often puts In to entertain sea-far-
ing guests.
Mr. Jackson Crispin of New York
who was appointed representative of
the descendants of those Americans
who can trace their lineage to the COM
panions of William the Conquerer, when
he set out to conquer Britain, was pres
ent when the bronze memorial tablet
was placed on Falaise castle in Nor
mandy early in August. BritonS from
every part Of the empire were asso-
ciated In this belated tribute to the
Norman who defeated the army Of
Harold at Hastings, and just as many
Frenchmen paid honor to his memory.
The Marquis d'Eyragues and Dr.
Maurice Macary of the University of
Falaise made eloquent pleas to the
descendants Of the Conqueror's army
TO unite in a vast patriotic society to
form bond with the Normans of to-
day who claim the same heritage, and
to seal the historic common interests.
The tablet placed on the castle bears
the names OF those who followed Will
liam. and it is proposed to add other
tablets as the society grows, and to in
scribe upon them the names of famous
men and women from the various
countries Of the world who can prove
authentic descent. A greater project
OF the association Is to make Falaise
headquarters Of Anglo, Nor
man. American and different national
units to trace and preserve in the his
toric sense the fortunes of the adven-
lures through many hundreds of years
IN Great Britain and later in the newer
parts of the world.
X X X X
Mrs. Nicholas Brown of Providence.
r. l., pleasantly know in Washington
through here visits to her sister, Mrs,
Peter Goelet Gerry accompanied by
her son, has been spending a few weeks
in the colorful places of Italy, especial
~ at the Lido, Venice. They are bound
for Greece. A comfortable way to reach
1t Is by steamer from Venice to Trieste
and down the picturesque Dalmatian
coast, through the lovely isles of the
Aegaen Sea to Patrask. The Hellenic
republic has claimed a full share of the
thoughtful visitors to Europe and has
offered most agreeable schedule, be-
ginning In the heart Of Homer's coun-
try and continuing through all the
vsnerated spots of classic Greece to
Athens. Young Mr. Brown, who has
done his bit Of Alpine climbing, will
not find Mount ParnaSsuS a strenuous
task, but with Olympus added, they
will mark red letter day. Athens
makes solemn and prolonged feast
Of st. Pauls day and one Of the impress
RfV ia Dc t1AA - - =.