The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-03-02

Col Shepard's house, that it was the mo st
magnificent banquet that he had ever sat
down to. The service was complete
in every way. The glassware, the silver
ware, the cooking and the wines were
simply perfect. And, besides, there were
at least 81 900 worth Of rare orchids on the
table. Col. Shepard gives one of these din
ners week during the winter, and it is
pretty safe to say they cost him $4,000
piece. His dinner to the politicians ut the
Union League Club will be q revelation in
the manner of entertaining and gastrono-
my, II nothing else.
RICHARD HENRY sroDDARD's FAILING
HEALTH.
Richard Henry Stoidard, poet, club man,
hteratteur, AID first nighter, has become SO
feeble as to require the services of some one
to assist bin in going from place to place at
night. lie is one of the oldest and most
valued members of the very exclusive Cen
fury club, and can always be found in his
favorite corner after dinner. He IS no
longer young; his shoulders are stopped, he
Is very thin, and his clothes fit him far
from snugly. His hair and beard are very
gray, and he walks with a shifting
gait as though feeling his way along the
street; he still manages, however, to do a
good deal of literary work, and in the book
houses and among the publishers he is con-
sldered one OF the best reviewers in the
country. be has very positive opinions on
all subjects, particularly poetry. He is
Hooded with. the efforts Of amateurs. and
sometimes receives as many as one hun
dred etfusions ia the course of week. His
wife, who is also a clever writer, usually
answers all letters. She has touch of
kindness in her nature that her husband
knows nothing about; wherever he does
reply there Is flow of vitroiolic eloouence
that Is flr from encouraging to beginner.
The Stoddards give Sunday night recep-
tons that are the most delightful in town:
there Is no pretense at exclusiveness, and
the supper is of the plainest character.
There is an air Of good fellowship every
where and one can always find the choicest
lights of the literary circles in the Stod-
dard parlCrs. One of the oldest fen
lures of the residence is the vast number of
books piled in great shelves all over the
house. They begin at the basement and
end at the garrett Books on all sorts of
subjects are there-some with the auto
graphs of the authors, and others rare vol
umes that Mr.. and Mrs. Stoddard have
picked up duri e long residence at home
and abroad. They area unique couple, and
until Mr. Stoddard's failing health we're
always seen at first nights at the theaters
and invariably at authors readings.
THE PRINCE AND THE PRETTY WIDOW
A story has been in circulation for some
days to the effect that the Prince of Wales
who was very much smitten with a certain
American widow in London this summer
has instructed leading banking house to
forward to this woman's address in New
YORK city each day a costly basket of
flowers. The maximum figure was placed
at 500 per day, and, as there was no
minimum, the story went that $50
worth Of flowers was each dey deliv-
cred TO the beautiful woman who had
capuvated tie heir to the British throne
1t is pretty enough story in its way. but il
lacks the essential element of truth. At
least, the firm alluded to deny all knowl-
edge of such a commission and the one
woman who had been pi ked out by the
various club men for such distinction d.
MES positively that she is the recipient of
any such courtesy from the prince. As IL
is notoiio that The Prince of Wales is in
debt up To his eyes and ears, the story seems
a trihs Incredible.
WILL THE PRINCESS OF WALES wRITE9
1t will be news TO some people that an
American publisher has made an offer 10
the Princess of Wales for a series of maya
zine articles. A polite note was sent TO
Marlborough house few weeks ago. ad-
dressed to the princess, conveying the in
formation that this publishing house desired
a series of articles from her, and that if
she accepted the offer, she could select bn.
own topics, treat them as she pleased
was not 10 be bound down by any rule
as to the length of her productions.
There is another feature of the lie ter that
is more apt TO sttract the attention of the
princess tnan the idea of joining the literary
circle. 1t was blank check for S., 900
drawn on one of the best known banking
houses in this country FOR her first article.
Inc publisher il anxiously awaiting a reply
TO bis letter, He feels sanguine that the
princess Will consent to his proposition.
A FLOOD OF STANLEY LITERATURE.
Apropos Of literature, Stanlev's forthcom-
ing volume, and everything relating to his
travels In Africa, is being looked for
ward TO with the greatest of in.
1erest; All the great publishing houses of
New York have tried to get the American
rlgn.s 10 hls work. Only one, of course.
coula succeed, and now that the contract
nus peeh au y signed with the success full
house 1, lhe other publishers are flooding
Jhe market with Stanley literature All
sorts and sizes Of books about Sianiau
and Africa are on the navvs'sta,'JJ
ana are meeting with a ready
safe It IS just possible that the nub-
nc may become satiated with stan.
iey literature before the great explorer gets
ms wcTk on the market. The latest ad viree
are 70 the effect that about half of the hooL
u completed, and the remainder VIII he
finished ~ two weeks after Stanley reaches
London. Nothing Is known ia this cItv vet
ABOUT the possibility OF a visit 10 this conn
Try. The man who had bis lecture course n
chhree during Biz last visit here feels CONF.
psnt tAat 70 nill persuade him 10 deliver a