STORMING SOCIETY'S CITADEL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 173, 14 August 1909, Page 3

STORMING SOCIETY'S CITADEL.

INGENIOUS TRICKS TO HOB-NOB WITH THE "UPPER TEN."

Among those whose social standing docs not permit them to bask beneath ' Society's" exclusive smile no more coveted honor exists than to obtain admission to the Royal enclosure at Ascot (says a Home paper). Many are the ingenious tricks prac Used to inlluence the judgment of the Lord Chamberlain, who personally sends out vouchers for the ttoyal enclosure which, in the majority of cases, are exchanged for badges before the Royal meeting commences. Strenuous measures are taken to prevent "undesirables" that is to say, those who have not received vouchers—from getting into the Royal enclosure, but tliey are not always infallible. On one occasion two American ladies successfully worked a very clever trick, which enabled them to gratify their longing to penetrate into the most exclusive circle in the world. A certain noble lord, moving in the .highest social circles, had, the year previously, left England to take'oflice in Canada, and a few months after his arrival it wag announced in the papers that he had married an American lady who was' reported to be fabulously wealthy. It was also stated in the Press that the lady in question had two sisters who would probably make their debut in Society in England immediately after the newly-married couple's re turn.

However, his appointment kept the "bridegroom in Canada longer than he had anticipated, but, naturally enough, no great surprise was felt when a wellknown lady of fashion in England received a letter saying that his wife's two sisters were crossing to England imincditcly, with a chapcronc, in order to arrive in London at the height of the season. An introduction to so influential a social personage was quite sufficient t» ensure thj two new arrivals being re-' ceived everywhere, and, in consequence, for some weeks th two smart American girls succeeded in completely duping leaders of fashion in this country. To obtain admitance into the best circles in Society nlracst invariably carries with it the honor of a voucher for the Royal enclosure, and by no means infrequently "side entranced;" to bring about this much-to-be-desired end are found by "outsiders" who, haying attained wealth in commercial circles', would cheerfully give half they possess for the nod of a duchess of the bow of a peer.

The most common trick adopted by these snobbishly-inclined people is that of waiting for the lime when the exchequer of some juvenile member of the aristocracy happens to be at a low ebb, and then, an introduction having lieerl obtained. Hie chance of procuring a bride r.c-h enough to rid him of his financial obligations often results' in the marriage' for which the ''noveau riclie matchmakers" have been scheming so deeply. A good story is told anent a certain well-known racecourse sharp and the Royal enclosure at Ascot. The ''gentleman's" only asset was the possession of good manners, fashionably-cut clothes, and unlimited cheek.

Still, in an unscrupulous man the combination is liable to prove formidable, end thus perhaps it is not altogether surprising that the "crook" in qnes'liim decided to make ;1 desperate effort to pass the officials.

.Accordingly, in the smartest of frockcoats, the shiniest of patcnt-leatle-r booU, and the fllossiost of silk halsi, lie lounged up to the entrance leading to the course.

"Your badge?" K aid the gatekocpei rcsfii'ctfnlly. "How dare you?" came the indignant reply. "Don't you know whom I am»:' The gatekeeper was evidently gren|l\ impressed )iy tl|o speaker's manner, fl.f touching his hat, he apologised for his mistake,-thinking, of course, that hi; memory was playing him a trick. The incident, however, had been seer by one of the many plainclothes de(,c 1 lives on duty on the course, who recog iiiecd the intruder at once, and in less time than it takes to write the words the arlstoeratic-lpokipg "sharp" fonn himself mingling once again with tin ihrong on the course,