Evening star., 1937-04-25
About Well-KnOWn Folk
In Books, Art, Politics
Sir Ronald Lindsay Slyly Twits the D. A. R.
Lavender and Old Lace Permeated
Washington Last Week.
BY ROBERT CRAWFORD.


lutionary pageant which for 4e
years has been the enlivenine
IL event of the Spring season III
the National Capital. With banners
floating to the breezes, bands playing
patriotic airs, the Revolutionary
Daughters descended on the beautiful,
city to the number of over 5000
making their foyers look like veritable
bouquets of Spring blossoms. Such
buzzings and twitterings, scowls and
forbidding glances-especially II one
happened into room where a secret
caucus was being pulled off! The
youth movement was to have been
the piece de resistance of the present
congress. but somehow it got switched
of and the revered old Supreme Court
burst into the limelight Of discussion
and that must have been about the
time when one opened the wrong door
Sir Ronald Lindsay
Twits the Daughters.
The opening night of the congress
the Daughters marched In single
file and platoons, with royal orchids
in evidence everywhere, and sashes
and decorations that would have made
Sir Ronald Lindsay's official uniform
worn at diplomatic receptions at the
White House, look modest. George
Wis Ambassador, in tails and ex-
pansive white waistcoat, who was a
guest of honor, stood up to greet them.
Later, when he was asked for few
words of greeting, he laughingly re-
minded the society that one of his
ancestors fought against the Colonies
during the Revolution. That night
was the 1920 anniversary OF the shot
that was heard around the world and
Sir Ronald, who has sat through
many congresses Of the Daughters
and heard his beloved country painted
in glowing colors of cruelty, must have
taken some satisfaction in his polite
remarks. He looked as though he was
enjoying himself as he talked in his
usual delightful manner.
The Daughters Have Preserved
Traditions for Future Generations.
It's been quite some time since SC
much old real lace, antique jeWelry-
family heirlooms and patriotic deco
rations-were seen here. IN fact, not
eral of Canada, Lord Tweedsmuir
gave Washingtonians a treat when
dressed in full regalia. The cohorts
who came down with that Assyriar
on the fold all cleaning with purple
and gold, would have paled into OBJ.
security could they have been present
at the reception in Constitution Hal
last Tuesday night. And the soldiers
at Valley Forge would have rubbed
their eyes to convince themselves that
George III and his royal court were
not present.
In truth, madame, the Daughters
of the American Revolution, have
every reason to bedeck themselves ir
their patriotic, orders for their &C.
complishments have been great and
their services to their country in pre-
serving for future generations the his
toric shrines and landmarks cannot
receive too much commendation. Also
their service to welfare and creating
more abundant life for the less for
tunate in all parts Of their country
Their interest in educational progres.
and the preservation OF all that is
best and most worth while in the ira
ditions Of the Republic. The Daugh-
ters have rescued from obscurity many
OF the ancient arts and crafts which
in Colonial days were used In the
home. Down in the basement OF Con-
stitution Hall during the congress
there was kind of midway plaisence
no vaudeville-with the arts and
crafts of the mountain schools OF the
South displayed; the weaving and
crafts of early New England and other
parts of the East and Middle West.
One could buy beautiful handWoven
towels and napery; woodcraft and
knitted and crocheted articles with all
the old stitches and patterns; or if
one wanted their pedigree looked up
or beautifully Illuminated coats OF
arms painted there was a gorgeous
display showing just what could be
done.
The British Ambassadors Ancestors
Fought Against the Colonies.
number Of the Lindsays and a
Lord Crawford among them took part
In the American war for independence
and it is said that one of them lies
buried in New Jersey, where the tomb
stone marks his birth and lineage
Mrs. Becker, president general of the
Daughters Of the American Revolu-
ton, sould doubtless verify this, as
she is a resident of that State and
most familiar with its history. Then
1t seems that there is the DISTINGUISHED
hero Lord Crawford, who received
13 bullets through his coat at the
Battle of Ticonderoga. A delightful
story of this Lord Crawford is that
upon his return to England he was in.
troduced by George III to Benedict
Arnold, upon which he denounced Ar.
mold as traitor, declined to shake
hands with him and, while he &C.
cepted challenge to fight a due,
with Arnold, allowed him to fire, bu,
refrained from discharging his owr
pistol and started to walk from the
field. When Arnold asked, why don't
you f1re?" Lord Crawford flung back