WOMAN'S WORLD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 219, 14 March 1912, Page 6

WOMAN'S WORLD.

i (Conducted by "Eileen.") ROYAL DUKE IN AMERICA, j HUMORS OF THE VISIT, j COMMOTION AMONG HOSTESSES.

SOCIAL AMBITIONS.

London, January 24. The Duke and Duchess of Connaught have teen paying a short visit to New, York and have been treated right royally. Delirious excitement, however, seized on certain sections of socitey, however," who feared that if their names did not appear as present at one of the various functions arranged in honor of the Royal visitors, they would be relegated for ever to the outer pale. Mrs Ogden j Milk and Mrs Whitelaw Reid'were credi- j ted with the ambition to effect a drastic reduction in the number of those claiming membership of circles socially elect, and that they intended to make I the Royal visit the occasion for showing | who belonged to "Society." These ladies published indignant disclaimers, and it was explained that "Mr and Mrs Whitelaw Reid have been so long absent from metropolitan society that they cannot pretend to know even a tithe of those entitled to social distinction. The idea that the list of those invited to meet the Duke and Duchess is designed to constitute a new social register is, in, J fact, so distasteful to them that they, will refrain?'from publishing, the list." The newspapers made merry at the expense of the society people. "In no other country," observes the New York Times, "would the advent of the, unci* of a reigning monarch, accompanied by his wife and daughter, cause nearly so great a social stir, engender so many social complications, or occasion so much heartburning as in this country, where the superiority of kings and social claims of their kinsmen are supposedly not recognised. The obvious reason as that we have no aristocracy, and 1 consequently no leadership which is not purely official." ' Additional comfort is conferred on the uninvited by the New York Sun, which explains, that even the publication of the list of the people asked to meet royalty would cast no social Blur on ladies and gentlement who have not been-asked. With sweet- reasonableness it points out that, as the royal visit is occurring at- the shortest notice, many people of the best society have already accepted invitations to functions previously arranged. The New York American suggests Ithat it will be a good' opportunity for Princess Patricia to choose an American millionaire for her husband. After recording! as a fact that the Duke has approved the,,list to ineet himj the American proceeds: "Princess Patricia will have, the first oportunity of inspecting the young men of America at close range. Every door will-.'be open to her, so that she can judgf of the American suitor on his own* soil." SNAPPING THE DUKE. Armies of newspaper reporters were engaged to follow the Royal party about New York, and it is admitted that the public behaved splendidly, very <difr«*eift fMm ten-year* ago was) greeted wifSH'el'ies 1 tofr''Hulfo;-HW,iow's brothfer"Bill?"*-' , t 'The Evening Jourtfal tllus describes the Duke; - "It was jt very good-natured kindly jovial member of English royalty that'set out from the home of Whitelaw Reid shortly after nine this morning The Duke was accompanied by Captain Rivers Bulkeley, his A.D.C. For the information of those "disciples of Beau Brummel who love to copy English styles.it may be said that the brother of j the Late Edward wore a black Derby '.!iat, a dark sac suit, and a large blue overcoat of ulster pattern. You could I not have told his outfit from the regular kind that are sold in New York clothing stores for 20 dollars ( £4). The .photographers gave the Duke a salute j of 21 snaps and then fell into line behind I the reporters, The Duke seemed affecI ted by this tribute so deeply that he ' was grinning broadly as he strode along • at a rapid rate. 'Now then, photagraph- ' ers, run in front of the Duke, make sure he is all there, and then take a few snaps of him.' This seemed to appeal beyond measure to his sense of humor, for he ,smiled outright. Yes, gentle reader, members of royalty can laugh just as heartily as a longshoreman off duty can." INCREDIBLY DEMOCRATIC. The Evening World declares that the democratic manners of the Duke are so perfect as to be incredible. Full of admiration, it describes how the Duke was at first adamant to the appeals of the photographers, but finally stopped and, laughing heartily, exclaimed, "I capitulate. I am your prisoner.' Prime your weapons, gentlemen, and fire away." After the pictures were taken the victorious army of photographers raised their hats to salute, and the Duke acknowledged the salute by raising his Derby. The reporters then tried to interview the Duke, but he showed himself to be a rare diplomat. He smiled most affably when a question was put to him, but not a word did he utter. His smile was so charming that the reporters could not possibly feel the least bit peeved (sic). Describing another scene the Globe says: "The Duke and Duchess seemed annoyed at the throng of the curious, but the beautiful Pat smiled benignly and enjoyed the scene hugely. Up forty-five stories of the highest building the royal party were whisked until at an altitude of 700 ft Mr. Reid exhibited to them a bird's-eye view of New York. Gasps of wonderment escaped the lips of, royalty. "Isn't it marvellous!" Such was the appreciative comment that came from the lips of Patricia, while hre royal mother expresed her wonderment in a more royal and hence more conservative manner. The Duke, finding he needed a new pair of eyeglasses, drove to a Forty-second street optician. He purchased glasses in an aluminium case, and Colonel Lowther drew a wallet from his hip-pocket, exposed a roll that resembled several million dollars, and paid the optician. The Duke thanked the optician fervently, and as he left the shop lifted his hat, while the shop force gazed on the scene in blank amazement. "That the Duke?" exclaimed the optician, wiping his brow and shouting "Gee!" More he would not say for publication. Mr. Reid's mansion, where the Royal guest* are staying, has been besieged by "cranks" desiring to promote thetr pet schemes with the aid of the Duke. One aged woman, carrying a bundle of tracts, rang the bell and explained that she attended a reception given bv the Prince of Wales at a Fifth Avenue'hotel two generations ago. "I do' not know the Duke." she blandly remarked, "but I want to tell him all about the visit here of his dear lamented brother. I recall the visit very clearly. There was an awful crowd at the hotel." After the _ old lady had departed a man in clerical dress appeared and declared, "I must see the Duke. I want him ) to petition Congress to take the tax off beer."