Evening star., 1901-10-05

to the London shopkeepers, for it has
brought Americans back from the conti-
nent, and from doing mere scenery IN
the Highlands and elsewhere. to the city
and the shops. While Londoners have been
out of town many of the chief West End
shOpkeepers have been doing a brisk busi-
ness with American patrons, and have been
catering especially for American tastes
Many American ladies express prefer
ence for the London shops. as compared
with those of Paris. not only because the
goods are more openly displayed, but also
because In London there Is only one price.
and they are spared the trouble of the
bargaining, which Is all too much feature
of continental shopping.
Mr.. Moberly Bell. the manager of the
Times. who reported the funeral of the late
President noticed that few Of the ladies
who attended the service at the Capitol
wore mourning. 1t was commented upon
here. where such matters are always OBJ
served. The same condition was remarked
here at the memorial services for the late
President at Westminster Abbey and ST.
Paufs Cathedral, where 1t was noticed that
Miss Choate wore a gray costume and
burnt straw hat. with colored ribbons
Nearly every American present, men and
women alike, wore the American stars and
stripes In the form of a little enamel flag.
shaped as a brooch or a badge. An English
lady who was with the embassy displayed
monds. which had, she stated been given to
her by President Mckinley himself on her
twenty-first birthday.
Changes MT buckingham Palace.
Few people know the elaborate changes
that are being made at Buckingham Pal
ace. The late queen WAS never fond Of the
place after the death OF Prince Albert, and
liking. as she did, strong, dry air. which
she could obtain in Scotland. and being al
most impervious to cold. she disliked the
somewhat damp atmosphere OF the royal
r M -I&ok
once the bed of the Thames. to which the
great lake in the grounds bears testimony.
it Is always thought to be a somewhat
damp and relaxing residence The King
however. living within a stones throw of
the place, is known to entertain different
views. Queen Alexandra, too, always re-
garded the grounds Of Buckingham Palace
as one of the beauty spots Of London, and
the children of the Duke Of York will be
provided with the 1oveliest playground that
can be found in London.
The alterations will be most extensive
and the decorations as elaborate as is con-
sistent with good taste. Pictures viii have
to be renovated, rooms that have not been
used for years done up. and brightness
infused into the palace which will make 1t
pleasing residence for the king and queen.
There are also some small alterations TO pc
made in the grounds and the lake Itself
has been diminished in depth. The cost OF
the alterations will be, of course. consider
able.
tern3pS one OF the lODSI SIT1kluS lui}ON
tfons to be introduced in all the royal pail
aces will be the installation Of electric light.
For some time Marlborough House has
been lighted by electricity, but the late
queen did not take kindly to the most mod
ern method of illumination. Indeed, she
would not allow any Of her residences to
be fitted with electric light apparatus. and
very often candles were used by her late
majesty. On the other hand, the king is
fond Of the bright electric light and will
use 1t exclusively.
Loss to the London Cabmen.
London cabmen by the accession Of the
king will perhaps be deprived Of an honor
that they used to enjoy in driving him
when he was the Prince of Wales in a an
som cab The king has always been fond
of what Lord Beaconsfield called "the gon-
dola of the London Streets" and his habit
always was to give nothing less than half
crown to the man who was fortunate
enough to drive him to Marlborough House.
however short the distance. Many cabmen
who have had the privilege Of driving the
king have retained these coins as souve-
Mrs of the ulustrious occupant Of their
vehicles. Royalty patronizes the ordinary
hanson great deal more than is general
ly imagined. On more than one occasion
1 have seen the queen, when Princess of
Wales, being driven about the West End Of
London, and often frequenters of Bond
street and it's neighborhood have seen the
Duchess Of York do her shopping with the
aid of an ordinary hanson.
L. H MOORE.