Bessborough & Miss Mildred

"I, Vere Brabazon, Earl of Bessborough, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King George V, his heirs and successors, according to law, so help me God."

So swearing in Halifax last week, an Englishman six ft. two in. tall, pale and of distinguished bearing, assumed the office of Governor General of the Dominion of Canada, to which he was appointed two months ago (TIME, Feb. 16).

Up to Lord Bessborough stepped Secretary of State Charles Hazlitt Cahan, proffering a massive object. After grasping it for the merest moment, the Governor General handed it back saying:

"I hand you the Great Seal of Canada for safe keeping."

Up stepped Under-Secretary of State Thomas Mulvey, proclamation of office in hand. Boomingly he read, and boom, boom, boom went a 19-gun salute from Citadel Hill.

Lunch. Dimpling and blushing. Miss Mildred Bennett, sister of the Prime Minister of Canada, appeared at the subsequent State Luncheon in Halifax. Her arrival caused the band to burst into "Here Comes the Bride."

In his luncheon speech Lord Bessborough said, addressing the Prime Minister but with a gallant glance at Miss Bennett:

"I want to congratulate Mr. Bennett on the interesting event which is about to take place in his family."

As everyone has known for weeks. Miss Bennett is about to marry her brother's great & good friend, Canada's new Minister to the U. S., William Duncan ("Bill") Herridge (TIME, March 23). It was not formally announced until just before Lord & Lady Bessborough landed last week from the Duchess of Bedford.

"I see in this event," continued the new Governor General, "a bright omen of our success; brighter, perhaps, than that augured by the North Atlantic weather we encountered. . . . But I deplore the fact that Lady Bessborough and myself will be deprived of the distinguished services of Miss Bennett in making contacts in Canada."

Miss Bennett (warmly reassuring Lord Bessborough): So nice of you to say that! But I shall remain in Ottawa after my marriage for several months before going to Washington.

Because of Lady Bessborough's frail health, the special train of the Governor General proceeded by fits & starts from Halifax to Ottawa (958 miles), halting at sundown, speeding on by day.

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