ITEMS OF SOCIAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18197, 16 September 1922, Page 3 (Supplement)

ITEMS OF SOCIAL NEWS.

Two things have been noticeable at the big dinners and dances given in London this season—that fewer Americans were invited, and also very, very few of the Bohemians who were so popular in London society a few seasons ago.

Princess Mary, when consulted on the question of wedding presents frequently expressed her love of period furniture and beautiful little pieces of old china, and so set an example which |socie|ty has been quick to' follow. Miss Ashley has received many gifts bought at the antique shops of London, or found in some smaJl shop in the country.

Although the Prince of Wales says that he feels older, and vows he only wishes he were 21 again instead of being 28, his enthusiasm shows no diminution. Ho has become so keen on polo that he thinks polo all day and dreams polo .ill night. Ho did not promise to shape well as a player at the outset, but has wonderfully improved, and the officers one and all in India admired his play. They say that in time he should be first-class.

We were told that never, never again would entertaining be taken up on the grand old lines in tho London season. But this year hostesses, all the same, have " done themselves proud." A largo number of stately dinners havo been given, although it's true tho menus aro shorter

than in pre-war days. Princess Mary's dinners were an out-an-out success, and it is characteristic of her that she held them more for middle-aged men and women than for young people of her own age. Everybody who was anybody looked forward to her card of invitation, and came away full of nice \ things to say of her as hostess, and of Lord Lascell es.

The Prince of Wales and the Duke of York are both keen dancers, but one is bound to confess, having seen them both together on the same ballroom floor, that the Duke is far the better dancer of thn> two. The Prince's nervousness makes him rather a staccato dancer, and ho has a tendency to move sideways rather than straight down the floor. He does not hold his partner's hand, but places his palm against hers, a habit affected by exhibition dancers, but not helpful to amateurs. His natural charm and obvious enjoyment of the dance, however, gets him through all difficulties, and the writer was recently present at a ball when for at least ten minutes after the Prince had taken the floor nq male got one single word out of his partner.

It is said that the Prince immensely enjoyed a quiet lunch at Chesterfield House with Princess Mary and her husband on his. birthday. It was his first visit to his sister's new home, and it is well known how deep is the affection existing between the brother and sister, who have been companions from their childhood, 1! is easy to understand the interest it had for the Prince. Everyone knows there was an aching void in the young bride's heart on her wedding day because oS the absence of "David." It was a remark constantly made by the Princess when her brother was away, ''I wonder what David is doing ?" The Prince is not undertaking any public functions, but is to study (by his own wish) much of the inner workings of his country, and to get in touch with the leading lights and men of brain and culture who are pillars in the construction of Government. The Prince is sincere in learning all lie can from every one, as a help in carrying out his own duties; a wiso and thoughtful step and one that people respect and admire him for.

When the Prince of Wales officiated as best man at the -wedding of his cousin, Lord Louis Mountbatten, his Royal Highness was carrying out these duties —sometimes regarded as onerous, but really quite light—for only the second time. The Prince was a young man in his 20th year when he first figured in the capacity of groomsman to another cousin—Prince Arthur of Connaught. This was in the autumn prior to the outbreak of the war, and. the ceremony also saw the debut of Princess Mary in the position of bridesmaid to the Duchess of Fife. The Duke of York has not yet appeared as a best man in his own country, but he supported the King of Jugo-Slavia the other day and had to perform various offices with which his elder brother is not familiar.

One of the most famous of the stately homes of England will be recalled by the engagement of Captain Denzil Cope, of Bramshill, Hants, and Edna, youngest daughter of Mrs. Hilton and the late Mr. Edward B. Hilton, of 79, Avenue Malakoff, Paris. Bramshill is a lovely Jacobean house, which shares with two other ancient mansions the distinction of being the scene of tho tragedy of the "Misletoe Bough." It is supposed to have been built by John Thorpe, "John of Padua," for James I.'s son, Prince Henry, though this point has never been settled, but it is, we believe, the original of Brockhurst, tho home of Sir Richard Calmady, the hero of "Lucas Ma let's" famous novel of this title. "Lucas Malet" has known Bramshill since she was a girl, her father. Charles Kingsley. having been rnctor of tho neighbouring village of Eversley, and thoso familiar with the Copes' splendid old seat can easily see its description in that of Brockhurst.