ITEMS OF SOCIAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14109, 10 July 1909, Page 6 (Supplement)

ITEMS OF SOCIAL NEWS.

[FROM THE SOCOBTT 3PATMIS.]

Lobs Bosebeby is one of the oldest friends of the King and Queen, and he was the best man to the: Duke of Fife on his marriage with their Majesty's eldest daughter. Lprd Rosebery is a man' of'great ability. He is a clever musician, playing the organ admirably, a keen connoisseur of works of art, a good talker, and an excellent man of business. To Lord Roeebery's business capacity the King owes much in, the judicious cutting down of his household expenses. Lord George Hamilton is uncle of young Lord Winterton, who has-now stepped into the editorial chair onco filled so ably by Edmund Yates. On the mother's side there is a tendency to journalism and literature in the family of the controlling editor of the World. , His uncle, Lord Frederick Hamilton, was for some years editor of the Pall Mall. Magazine,, while another uncle, Lord Ernest Hamilton, has written several novels. ' : ' -■* „ ' The marriage of Lord Dalmeny has practically reduced the list of " matrimonial catches" of noteworthy rank and wealth to four —namely, Lord Howard de Walden, the Marquess of Anglesey, the Duke of Leinster, and Earl Percy. The first-named is perhaps the biggest "catch," his reputed income being £200,000 a year, although had the Druce case gone against him it might not have been two thousand. The Marquess of Anglesey's income is said to be £150,000 a year,"while the youngest peer on the list of eligibles, the Duke of Leinster, although not so rich, has a-splendid position and a magnificent- title.

On becoming ruler of Roumania Prince Charles had to acknowledge himself a vassal of the Sultan. He did so in the Hohentollern fashion, and with no unbecoming jhow of humility. Wearing the uniform, of a Roumanian general, Prince Charles proceeded to the Palace of Dolma Bagteche, when the Sultan came to the door, of his cabinet to greet him. A chair had been placed for Prince Charles, next to the sofa reserved for the Sultan, but he, putting it gently on one side, sat down by his Suzerain. If the Sultan ever seriously expected a Hohenzollern to take a " back . seat," he was soon put right on that point.

• A pretty little story of the baby Princess of Holland comes from The Hague. A sergeant doing sentry-duty at the gate leading from the palace garden saw the approach of a white perambulator pushed by a nurse. Suddenly realising that it was the little Princess Juliana taking her first airing he came to attention and presented arms, although the Princess slumbered on unconscious of the honour. In the afternoon the sergeant was summoned by Prince Henry, who told him that he had seen the salute from his window, that he had noticed the soldiers moment of hesitation and his subsequent I salute, and presented him with a bank-note to provide himself with some souvenir of : his first salute of Her Royal Highness*,":.... .-

, A good many men are now wearing gold bangles, but above the elbow instead of , at the wrist, and this fashion is in favour specially among engaged couples.- The King, though very quiet in his taste for jewellery, has since bis marriage worn a gold bangle on his wrist. His. wedding ring has his , consort's name engraved inside it. All the sons ii4 of,; ; [Victoria followed the • fashion, j more , usual abroad than in England among men, -*«! wearing 'wedding-rings., The. Queen does- : not ; care - much for rings,, but ahe has a fancy for the lockets and = pendants which.j&re in vogue in her girlhood,., By tH way,-it is inter-, esting presents to her brifemadds took the forfif; of lockets in crystal, set with pink pearls,* and diamonds, and made from .fa * design. by «the King's sister, the late Princess Alice. ;"7\,

French society is much exercised as to the greediness of bachelors, who are anxious to obtain ; big dowries rather than good wives. It is stated in Paris by Mme. Mades leine Lemaire, the accomplished artist, that : she recently heard a young ; dowry-hunter declare that he would not marry any girl ? unless she had £16,000. He added,; cynically,(that her character, : disposition, and : accomplishments were unimportant details. The dowry was the only thing that counted. : Mme. Adolphe Brisson, wife of the eminent dramatic > critic, says that formerly a girl ' who brought her husband a dowry of £4000 :.'-'';' was considered very eligible, but to-day | : that amount is looked upon as insignificant. M. Paul Margueritte, the author, laments i- the exaggerated importance attached to the u dowry in France, and M. - Marcel Prevent, ■ the distinguished novelist, commends the -" system of " love matches" obtaining in Eng- ■' land. - ,

After his Derby victory, the King gave his customary banquet ; to members of the Jockey Club. The dinner served in the splendid State Dining Room at Buckingham Palace, which, under the supervision of Lieut.-Colonel Sir Charles Frederick, Master of the' Household, had been beautifully decorated| for the occasion. Covers were laid for sixty-three, and the Royal host occupied the central seat at one side of, the long dining table. The Windsor gold plate was used.; Great vases, candelabra, and centrepieces ornamented the table, and other portions of the magnificent service were used- to decorate side tables. There was a most artistic and effective display of choice fruit and flowers upon the dining table, the blooms used being tulips and orchids iff two shades of red. The guests included the Prince of Wales, Prince Christian of .Schleswig-Holstein, Prince d'Arenberg, Count de Borteux, the Earl of Crewe, the Duke of Richmond, the Duke of Devonshire, the Duke of Montrose, the Duke of Westminster, the Marquess of Londonderry, the Marquess of Zetland, the Earl of Derby, the Earl of Coventry, and the Earl of Rosebery; ' , ■" „„