PRINCESS MARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20136, 22 December 1928, Page 10

PRINCESS MARY.

■HOME VABIEb INTERESTS. LOVE FOR HUNTING. THE DISAPPOINTED BOY. NO "RED AND GOLD SADDLE." BY EVELYN GRAHAM. (Copyright.) No. XXI. Princess Mary's interest in all things pertaining to Yorkshire has been eagerly fostered not only by her husband but by her mother and father in law, who welcomed in their elder son's wife not only the King's daughter but a willing helper in the many good works in which they themselves were engaged. Perhaps one of the greatest of Princess Mary's interests among her husband's many possessions is his horses. Though Lord Lascelles has not as yet won any of the big events of the turf he frequently enters horses in some of the north country races, and invariably backs his own horses. When ho wins the joy of the whole of Yorkshire is as great as that evinced by the nation when one of the King's horses comes home in some event. :

Naturally enough Princess Mary always chooses the names for her husband's horses, and is almost as good a judge of their points as Lord Lascelles himself, who has great faith in her judgment." pie Princess and Viscount Lascelles both frequently attend the north country race meetings, as, indeed, they do the principal races in other parts of the country, foj, unlike Queen Mary and Queen Alexandra, Princess Mary talces genuine interest _in the racing itself as well as the social sioe of the meetings. Princess' Favourite Sport. Then Princess Mary and Lord Lascelles make it a yule always to attend the York Custom meeting, which, though not so well known as some of the more fashionable race meetings, is one* of the most delightful in the country, for it combines the attraction of a wonderful setting with the friendliness resulting from it being the recognised rendezvous of the county people. It is undoubtedly this wholehearted support of Princess Mary for everything to do with Yorkshire which has won for her a popularity -in that county which has never been eclipsed by any other Yorkshire woman. Hunting is admittedly Princess Marys favourite sport. Perhaps she is prouder of Lord Lascelles in his scarlet as Master of the Bramham Moor Hounds than in any other role—for she has always treasured, since her first meet, the greatest admiration for men who have made their mark in the hunting field. The Bramham Moor Hounds have an interesting history. In the reign of Queen Anne these hounds hunted from the walls of York to Skipton Castle, though whether they were then known under their present name is uncertain. Certainly they were so called as far back as 1791 when they were under the mastership of Mr, James Lane-Fox. In 1816 the county was divided to accommodate the York and 'Ainsty, then just created, and the confines were adjusted as they remain. s An Amusing Story. At that date the pack were kept at bothersome Kennels, the remains of which can still be seen. The then Lord Lascelles t<3ok over the pack in 1819 and in 1827 removed them to kennels at Stank, near Harewood House, and there they remained until 1840, when they were removed to larger kennels near the Home Farm. When the present Lord Lascelles took over the mastership the pack went to Hope Hall, and their kennels are the very last word in hound luxury. Princess Mary herself tells, an amusing little story of one of her huntine experiences. After a hard run with the Bramham she and Lord Lascelles were riding quietly homewards, when a small boy opened a gate for them. As Lord Lascelles thanlced him the boy looked up at him, and in broad Yorkshire asked him if they were the last coming through. Lord Lascelles assured him that they ■ were.. S " Then I missed her again," said the boy. Lord Lascelles inquired for whom he was waiting. "For Princeses Mary," came the answer. '! I've been waiting for a long while to see her go by, but she's not come." " How do you know you haven't seen her?" asked Lord Lascelles. " Because she'd be riding a white horse, with a red and gold saddle, like thay do in books," replied the boy with assurance. Lord Lascelles was about to reveal the identity of his companion, when the Princess signed to him to be silent. When they were out of earshot Lord Lascelles asked Princess Mary why she had not told the child who she was. "He would have been so disappointed," she answered with a smile. History of a Famous Chair. Princess Mary is deeply interested in the history of York, and on many occasions paid private visits to its magnificent cathedral, on one occasion spending over an hour studying the incomparable window which is unrivalled in beauty and magnitude and contains representations of most of the more important Biblical events. She also spent some time over the contents of the Chapter house, which include a large horn, fashioned from an elephant's tooth, by which the Church of York holds lands of great value. In her girlhood days the Princess was a frequent visitor to London museums, particularly to the British and South Kensington. In the latter she had seen and greatly admired an ivoiy relief, in which was represented a chair of a particular shape. On being ahown the famous chair in York Minster, Her Royal Highness at once recognised the similarity, and was deeply attentive to the history of the chair, which, or so the tradition runs, was used for the coronation of King Edwin in A.D. 627. The Princess, in common with all Yorkshire folk, had a particular interest in the recent, appointment of Dr. Templa to the . Archbishopric of York, for his Qrace is related to the Lascelles family, his mother being a cousin of Lord Harewood and a . jV sister of l;he late Sir Frank Lascelles, once Ambassador in Berlin. A Charming Hostess. To Princess Mary setting her town house in order was a wholly delightful task, and one of the first things she and Lord Lascelles did was to find a suitable place in which to hang the portrait of Lady Canning—an ancestor of the Lascelles family, which had been one of the wedding gifts to him from the King and Queen. Then there were entertainments to be planned, and there is no doubt that the Princess enjoyed thoroughly the idea of being a wholly independent hostess, and one, moreover, with a perfect background which she could alter and improve at will. Chesterfield House has one of the most delightful ballrooms in London, or possibly ill the whole of England. It is particularly fortunate in its outlook, for the windows at one end look over the park, arid at the other on to the garden. Princess Mary* is an excellent dancer, though she is not so fond of the ultra modern steps as are her brothers; also ' Lord Lascelles dances well, but it is not one of his favourite pastimes. During her "first season after her marriage, London society eagerly awaited the receptions which Priness Mary gave. After the first function, however, the fiat went forth that here indeed was a perfect hostess, Princess Mary makes as charming a guest as she does a hostess, and though by her own express desire many of tne formalities connected with Royal visits are relaxed, the host and hostess naturally rnaks rather different arrangements from those for a guest of loss exalted rank.