A FORTUNATE HEIR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1091, 1 April 1911, Page 10

A FORTUNATE HEIR.

, Tliero have been great rejoicings in the family, of- Marl .Fitoyjlliam -,in ,opn'necliou with-tho baptism of the young Lord Milton. Ho is the first hejr born to the head of the houso for 75 years. Many guests assembled at Wentworlh House, tlio Yorkshire scat of tho FiUwilliams, to take part in the christening festivities. The Fitavilliains aro among tho most popular aristocrats ill tho realm. No family is more honourable, or more kindly, to those around them. They aro also rich—beyond tho dreams of avarice. Their lands extend over 115,000 acres in England and Ireland, and Ihcy have rich coalfields in Yorkshire. The rent-roll of the Fkzwilliams is certainly not- less than £250,000 a year. The christening ceremony was in the private chapel of tho house, and the baby will wear a scarf which once belonged to William tho Conqueror. Tho family story goes that at the battle ol Hastings one of tha Fitzwilliams fought so gallantly that King William presented him with a scarf in recognition of his valour. For several centuries the heir to the estates has worn that scarf at his baptism, and among the child's numerous names, tho name of William has been handed down from generation to generation. Needless to say, the relic, though of immense interest, was not a thing of. beauty, as it hung in soft, tattered. yellow strands from the child's gown. The great christening cake, which was over 4ft. hi nil, weighed tight stone. Apart from the hundred or so guests at tlio castle, 7.000. guests, tenantry, wnrkncople, colliers, and villagers assembled in the great nark, where an ox was roasted whole. Three hundred waiterH were kettt busily engaged attending to the vast crowd. Tim bread and cako consumed exceeded four tons, and two 1 thousand'gallons of beer wero consumed.