ITEMS OF SOCIAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14133, 7 August 1909, Page 6 (Supplement)

ITEMS OF SOCIAL NEWS.

[FROM THE SOCIETY PAPERS.]

King Alfonso is most extraordinarily popular among all classes of his subjects, quite irrespective of their political opinions. Valencia's fetes in honour of tho King were among the most splendid in her history. At the battle of flowers, in which 27 elaborately-decorated triumphal cars and more than 2000 carriages and motor-cars took part, His Majesty was nearly buried in roses and other blossoms. He was- delighted with the warmth of hie reception.

Mrs. Ogden Mills, the mother of the latest American peeress, Lady Granard, who has been entertaining so successfully of late, has just acquired the lease of one of the most interesting country houses in England, Knebworth Park, the Hertfordshire seat of the Earl of Lytton. It was at Knebworth that the famous novelist of midVictorian days, Bulwer Lytton, wrote some of his most popular books. Mrs. Mills' tenancy will be remarkable for the entertaining she will do, her reputation as a popular and charming hostess being already widely established on both sides of the Atlantic.

Lady Tankerville is one of the many beautiful Americans who grace the peerage. Born Miss Leonora van Mart or, she belongs to one of the oldest- Dutch-American families. Her father was an officer in tho ?2nd New York Cavalry, and was in active lervice during the Civil War. Of her four children, two .sons only —Lord Ossulston, the heir, and tho Hon. George William Bennet, a small boy, who in the family circle is known as " Bubs." To Lady Tankerville belongs the distinction of having driven the railway engine of the Canadian express for six hours, the journey being from Glacier House to Siccamoos. She is a line linguist, and counts photography among her hobbies. She is also an authority on old furniture.

Carriage accidents seem to be the fate, of Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, and bo do lucky escapes. The most recent of such accidents to befall Her Majesty was on the occasion of the christening of Princess Juliana at the Hague. Queen Wilhelraina's carriage collided with that of the Queen-Mother, and some confusion resulted, though calm was quickly restored when it was known that Their Majesties were unhurt. The Royal infant was happily in another carriage, for she drove in state to her christening in a carriage drawn by , six horses, and with a squadron of cavalry for her guard of honour. Thousands of people were in the streets, anxious to catch a glimpse of their beloved, though still unknown, Princess, and again and again the child was held up to the carriage window by the Grand Mistress, who had the charge of her, for the benefit of the multitude. On the return of the Royal family from the Willemskirk after the christening, the two Queens, Prince Henry, and Princess Juliana all appeared at a window of the palace. The baby was held by her grandmother, and her little hand was waved by her mother to the delighted crowds outside.

The Dowager-Queen Margherita of Italy was among the first of Europe's Sovereigns take up motoring, and very soon became bo enamoured of ,the sport that it was her c&ef delight to take long journeys, often yen crossing the Alps. It is, therefore, with deep regret that Her Majesty has recently had to part with her beloved cars. All the winter she has suffered intense pain from neuritis in her face and neck, and now the highest medical 'authorities have decreed that she must? give up her favourite; sport, Owing„ttLfce£ long and painful illness, Her Majesty lias spent a very quiet season, but nearly every day she is cheered up by a visit from her four charming little grandchildren. Bonnie Princess Yolanda, the eldest, celebrated her eighth birthday on June 1, and the event was feted in a very pretty way. Queen Elena—who is a most devoted and wise motherinvited to the Quirinal Palace over . 300 of the poor little children who had been rescued from the terrible earthquake $f Messina and Reggio Calabria, where Her Majesty gave such a noble example of courage and self-sacrifice. Each child was given a valuable gift, a toy and a silk bag, with the national colours, full of sweets, after which they partook of a substantial meal afd plaved until sunset in the Quirinal gardens. Queen Elena and the Royal children entertained the little guests with such simple and charming graciousness that they, all left the Royal palace perfectly enraptured with the happy and memorable afternoon they had spent. . What wonder that the Queen has so many true and loyal friends among the more* lowly of her subjects !

The most gorgeous gowns were seen at Ascot on Cup Day, and all colours of the rainbow -were fashionable. The most notably well-dressed women to be seen were Lady Londonderry, the Duchess of Beaufort, the lichees cf Roxburghe, Mrs. Fritz Ponsonby, whose blue and mauve dress was greatly admired. Mrs. George Keppel's gown of apricot chiffon with aluminium embroideries was a marvellous confection. Evelyn Lady Alington, Georgiana Lady Dudley, and Lady Wolverton were all superbly dressed. The King and the Prince of Wales appeared at Ascot in grey tall hate for the first time this year, and the following day many loyal subjects followed the Royal lead. The" King's blue frock coat was much noted, and so, too, were hie lavender tie and gloves, whilst the tawny orange-coloured buttonhole was also remarked on. The King can do no wrong! and he may, perhaps, in time, induce men to relieve the monotony of their present dress by the introduction of a little colour. At present, men wear the same depressing clothes at a wedding as they would at a funeralwith the exception, perhaps, of gloves. The males, generally, wore morning coats to a man, coats with long folds, buttoned once only, over white waistcoats.' Those clever artists who imagine so brilliantly in the double-pages of the large newspapers went hopelessly to pieces over this detail. ' The frock coat was given a universality which," this year, it wholly lacks. Even if it were worn, the wearers would not commit the heinousness alleged of affecting, with them, double-fold collars. The artists of the day seem to have the same difficulty in portraying a gentleman as have the majority of novelists.

The Duke of Connaught, whoso recent motor mishap was happily not 60 serious as was at first thought, ha& always been very popular in his military capacity! But the real strength of the duke's popularity can best be proved by the fact that the servants in his household simply adore him. There is an amusing story told of how, soon after he first took up his command at Dublin some few years ago, his valet came to him, asking for a fortnight's leave. The duke noticed that he gave no reason, bub granted him permission. Exactly eleven days after the man returned, and then the duke demanded his reason for wishing a holiday. " I wanted to have a fight, sir " was the reply, "and I knew I would getbadly marked. But I'm all right now again.' His Royal Highness immediately became interested, but it was a Ion? time before he elicited the fact that the valet had been fighting a man who had referred to the duke as a " feather-bed" soldier. The duke has an abundant sense of humour Once, while holding a reception at the Horse Guards, he asked an officer who had just been introduced what ho wanted. "Nothing, thank you," was the modest reply. "My dear sir," exclaimed the duke, shaking the astonished officer vigorously by the hand, " I am really glad to meet you. It is a long time since I have met an army officer who wanted nothing." Another time, while the duke and the duchess were returning from some social function, the sentry called out the guard and gave the Royal salute. Hie Royal Highness immediately proceeded to blow up the (sergeant, an Irishman, but was entirely disarmed when the latter made answer, " The guard, sir, is out for Her Royal Highness, who is entitled to it."