The Topeka state journal., 1899-06-17
Outelassed All the Others al
Ascot Heath.
Many Noted Americans Attend
the Races
NGORGEOUS RA1MENT
Mark Twain Guest of Honor at
White Friars Club.
Dinner Attended by Many Eng
lish and American Authors.

copyright, 1899, by Associated Press-1
London. June 17--England had the
usual mixture of winter and summer
this week Until Thursday 1t was so
cold that the weather seriously inter-
1ered with the brilliancy of Ascot, to
which place the social headquarters
was transferred. Women appeared in
furs and heavy coats and the men wore
evercoats. But on Thursday and Fri
day beautiful summer weather enabled
the fair sex to make dazzling display Of
light, airy dresses and brought an enor-
nous assemble ge to the royal heath
There were more coaches than uSual,
the team of the Duke and Duchess or
Marlboro, being specially admired.
In the royal enclosure there was a
large contingent of Americans, includ-
ing all the members of the United
States embassy, the Bradley Martins,
Mrs BOnynge, Lady Deerhurst. Lazy
VIM -Beresford Lady Randolph Church
ill, and Mrs. Jack Leslie. On Thurs
day, cup day. the dresses were espec-
ially beautiful fiowered muslns pre-
dominating. The Duchess of MarIbOr-
ough wore white silk covered with fine
black lace; Lady Mary Sackville was
dressed in white lace over white satin
with hanging sleeves of lace and touch
of blue satin at the waist and
large IeghOrn hat embellished with pink
roses.
Lady Hesketh's costume was of flow
Il
necklace of round Opals.
ABOUT THE SHAMROCK.
In spite of the abnormal secrecy in
writing connected with the America s
cup challenger Shamrock, a representa-
tive of the Associated Press has been
able TO CLEAN a few facts about the
boat interesting alike to yachtsmen and
the general public. The original esti-
mate of the cost of the vessel has
nearly doubled but Sir Thomas Upton
will not have to foot the whole of the
bill as the Thornycrofts, who are keen
~ interested, hoping the ShamrOck'S s
success will add laurels to the firms S
reputation are bearing a portion of the
expense. Those who are inside declare
the yachts construction is absolutely
unique and that the amount of metal
employed will be a surprise to the
yachting world when it is divulged. In
color and texture the alloy has the
appearance of aluminium of which in
deed, II has a large percentage 1t
possesses extra ordinary resistance and
lightness and has been used everywhere
where wood was not considered absO-
lutely essential Great difficulty has
been encountered in molding the plates
Although the sheathing tends to give
her d heavy appearance the yacht has
in reality been built for light weather
and il is considered that her chances
of success will be reduced should the
weather be heavy during the cup races.
Her deck and overlook arrangements
regards sails etc. are considered
original and peculiarly effective. Light
larchwOOd berths are being fitted for
the use of the crew in crossing the At
lantic. The contracts of the crew have
been signed for six months certain in
racing pay and substantial bonuses
have been promised in case of victory.
The first appearance of the Sham
rock viii be a the Hunters Quay re-
gatta, Firth of Clyde. where Sir Thorn
as Upton gives a 100 guinea cup. The
cup challenger will not be regularly
raced. but viii take a few trial spins
and may perhaps be tested in a race
or two. hut that will be arranged az
cording to the weather. If it is wet,
Captain Hogarth will not set the new
mainSaiL From the Clyde the Shamrock
will proceed to the Royal Ulster regatta
in Belfast Lochs where the same course
an regard to her trials will be followed.
1t is very imprOba Bile that Shamrock
who go to Cowes and meet the Prince
Of Wales cutter Brittania. She is more
likely TO be placed under ketch rig and
get away Immediately for New York
from North Ireland, so as to get a good
Atlantic passage.
A DICKENS SALE.
Remarkable prices were realized at
the Dickens sale at SOthebys this week.
A first of the edition original parts of
the .Pickwick papers" presented by
Charles Dickens TO his sister-in-law.
Mary Hogarth. brought 21O5 and other
copies were sold for &S5 and Sos i
copy An American Notes" presented
by Dickens TO Thomas Carlyle. sold for
861. the original autograph manu-
script of Dickens Battle of Life on 80
auarto pages brought G2O0; Forster 5
Life of Dickens containing autograph
letters. manuscripts and portraits of
literary celebrities was knocked down
for $500 and Dickens Cash Book
when he was in the Office of Lawyer
I3IackmOre. showing Dickens salary to
pave been Is shillings, pence per week,
brought G95.
MARLBOROUGH GEMS.
Connoisseurs are greatly interested in
the forthcoming sale of the Marlborough
gems al Christie's- 1t will be the most
important of its kind since 1875 when the
same collection was sold on block for
s50 900 guineas. The purchaser, David
T8roniloW, maintained the collection in
4act. but he recently died and the gems
which the third duke of Marlborough
spent the best part of his life in gather
ing will be scattered. They are largely
canoes and intagliOs belonging to the
centuries between the reign of Angus
tus and the end of the Antoine period.
II is urged that the best should be Sc
cured for the British museum
The charity bazaar to be held at AL
bert hail in aid of the funds of the
Charing Cross hospital is much talked
of among the aristocracy and others
a representative of the Associated
Press has interviewed the Countess of
Chesterfield and Mrs. Arthur Paget on
have practically got every noted family
in London interested Mrs Bradley
Martin has brought choice silver objects
de art from Tiffary'S and Writings
Mrs Ronalds has been in Paris all
vUeek buying things for the bazaar
The Misses Drexel and Swift and Mrs.
Clarence Mackay are getting together
a fine collection for the American stall
At which the stall holders will be at
eIred in white gowns, lace fichus, sashes