VISCOUNT LASCELLES.

Western Star, 3 February 1922, Page 3

VISCOUNT LASCELLES.

“ One Who Knows Him ” has. tbje to say about Loyd Lascelles, who ib to marry Princess Mary:—■ Lord Lascellps, inhentmg as he dul a vast fortune a few years ago, was known as one of the most eligible bachelors in English society. ..Many match-makere, as a consequence, have set their caps at him; but he firmly resisted, and not a few of his friends had come to regard him as what is known tor u a confirmed l&chelor. The announcement of the engagement is* a surprise in every sense, and last night rumour had it that the proposal occurred at the, country house of a - peer, which has romantic and political associations. * Be that as it may, nothing had occurred to awaken activity among the gossips as* to Lord Lascelffis* intentions in “ the; marriage market.” In many respects he is far from, being a, ladies’ man—his taste lies more in, the direction of the spoils of field and stream than in the futilities of drawing-rooms. He is a hard rider to hounds, and has lately established. a pack in Yorkshire, of. which he is master. With the gun! he is a uo,table/performer. Coincident with this predilection for sport—he also owns a considerable racing stable—he possesses an expert knowledge in relation to art in every branch. He probably inherits this instinct from his father, Lord Harewood,- who' has a remarkable collection of, china and old furniture. A splendid host, his dinner parties when home on leave during the war were melmorable entertainments for brother officers fresh from the discomfort and hazard of the trenches. And among his social accomplishments, which it is his humour, generally speaking, to keep in the background, is extraordinary skill as a bridge p j\yer. His intuition at “auction,” j n 'd ev ed, is regarded by some of his nnnnm wits—perhaps with reason—as uncanny a viow ’ b y the wa >Y which partners a ls° chucklingly accept. He was ex' ce^ut as an °ffi C6r - His cheerful spirit and pluck were maintained in face" of all sorts of d.fficulties, with infant and beneficial effect upon those around! him. He was eager to take more than hi s share of ’the rough work,, and frequently displayed an adventurousness which it was difficult’ to deduce from the expression of his long thin 'face, with its somewhat dreamy eyes. He is outspoken, and* has the courage to push his convictions to a final test. He otoee did this, I remember, when in .France, his target being certain members of the Staff. As a soldier, lie always earned the inspect of his . men, quite apart- from his bravely, for the fact that he always preferred a fighting job to one which was safer and perhaps more spectacular. As a man he is a friend worth the having.