Evening star., 1901-06-08

made for it's transference to the South
Kensington Museum, where 1t will stay un-
til 1t can clear the United States customs
without too heavy an imposition. Ii is
composed of antiques, works of art ana
specimens of the middle ages and the Re-
naissance, the magnificent service OF SeYres
porcelain that NJ. Mannheim exhibited IN
the Petit Palais at the exhibition last year
and a white marble clock by Falconnet.
One of the most important specImens-if
not the most important-in the collection is
a bas-relief on Kehlheim stone, represent
ing the triumph of Charles v This stone
is the work of Hans Dollfnger ana is dated
1922.
A few years ago NJ. Stephane Bourgeois
offered 15O,GW francs for it. and this was
refused. There is also an interesting speei-
men of fourteenth century sculpture ia
white marble figure of the Virgin, holding
in her arms the infant Jesus) and about
fifty specimens of Italian majolica ware,
from the factories of Grahaggiolo, Faeza,
Gubbio. Deruta Urbino and other noted
establishments. Limoges enamelS are rep
resented by about an equal number or tne
finest description. Mr.. Morgan Is said to
have purchased the collection after put
cursory glance at 1t. He was, of course.
well aware Of it's unique character and of
the higk reputation of M. Mannheim.
whom, by the way, he has not yet SEEN
Duty on RoyaIty's ImportatiOns.
During the reign of Queen Victoria pack
ages addressed to her arriving from abroad
were sent to the queens warehouse Keeper
down by the docks unless the treasury Is
sued a special order to deliver on arrival
understand that the king has directed the
same practice to be continued and extended
to Queen Alexandra, as well as to all the
members of the royal family. This. how
ever does not mean that anybody besides
the king or queen can have goods enter
duty free. Many of the lesser royalties are
obliged to pay duty just like common folk.
The treasury may, however, allow the
privilege to member of the royal family
When Princess Louise returned from Cam
ada with her husband she had to pay duty
on a cask of Canadian whisky. On the re-
turn of the Prince of Wales from his visit
to India in 1875 the presents OF gold ana
silver, plate and wine were admitted duty
free as privilege applicable to that case
only.
Interest in Electrical Patents.
One of the most remarkable features of
the patent applications for 1900 was the
large increase in the number of inventions
relating to electric traction. The London
electric underground railways and the na-
merous electric tramways now working in
this country have aroused considerable pub
lie interest in electrical subjects. over
hundred applications were made during the
year by one firm of electrical engineers
alone. Outdoor seats for tramcars, etc,
claimed large share of attention from in
ventors Applications relating to motor
cars were numerous, but showed little in
crease while those for cycles decreased,
especially at the beginning of the year.
There were several applications for mill
tary inventions. but no increase in these
could be traced directly to the war.
The new patent offices in Holborn are ex-
pected to be ready for occupation In course
of this summer. and the new library will
probably be opened to the public before the
end OF December. People with ideas will
find the collection simply invaluable, and
every assistance to enable them to avail
themselves of it is readily afforded, though
there is no comparison to be made between
the attention given to the subject here and
what is done in the United States. Stil1 the
new buildings will be an immense improve
ment over the old cramped quarters Low
$500. 900. L. H. MOORE.