The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-04-18
AN EARL D0M'S COST

Only a rich man can afford to be a
belted earl. The unavoidable initial ~
penses which Lord Roberts will be called
upon to pay. should be. as report AYERS,
attain this dignity. will total UP 10 tome
thing like e675.
The principal item OF the bin will be
the coronet. This is n oirclet of gold,
chased as jeweled." according TO the
phraseology of heraldry, and with eight
pyramidicsl points of gold each of which
supports a large silver ball, the spaces
between the points being filled up at the
bottom with golden strawberry leaves.
The manager of "a fashionable gold
smiths establishment. who was interro-
gated by Daily Mail represcn Ia tive,
confessed that his firm did not receive an
order for a full-sized coronet every day.
The trade in that article of headgear was
seldom brisk. except al a coronation, but
he was prepared 10 make q coronet OF
1s-karat gold, with jeweled cushion. for
400 guineas.
I'VE do not stock Coronets," he added.
though I remember an occasion on
winch IL would have paid us TO have had
one I'm stock. A peer--the first OF his line
died, and his executors discovered that
I'm ais lifetime he had not gone To the
trouble and expense of procuring a coro-
the executors came here In hot haste for
a coronet 10 place on the coffin OF the
deceased peer. We could not make ~ I'm
time Probably they overceme the diff
Guilty by borrowing one.
"A coronet of first quality gold" the
teweler further explained, will last not
only one but dozen lifetimes Contrary
10 the opinion OF our American cousins,
peers do not wear their coronets while
walking or driving i'm the park. Many oe
the emblems have not once embellshed.
The brows OF their JTfgT0Cr5r1G OwnVFS,
and / dare say IL we could peep into the
exclusive corners of the safe deposit de.
pots we should discover many coronets
that have scarcely ever seen the light OF
day.
Lord Roberts will IN all probability,
also find IL necessary To purchase new
garter. These beautiful ornaments vary
In price. one hundred pounds will pur-
chase garter with the motto 'Honi
solt qui NAL v pense' worked I'm gems
diamonds, rubbies and sapphlres ~ ro-
quested-and with "A buckle Of solid gold.
Then there IL the robe which a peer
must wear on his presentation in the
House Of Lords. This is OF scarlet cloth
with three 'doubllngs' of ermine. a peers
rank I'm the peerapo Is denoted by NUM-
ber of bars OF ermine which traverse the
robe back and front. Thus, a duke has
four bars III frOnt ana four behind.
marquis has one bar less behind. while
an earl has three of each
The numerous strips which appear 10
divide the mantle into various PARTS are
supposed to denote that Il has been thus
torn or slit while it's wearcr was engaged
in fierce combat on the battlefield. In
the case OF Lord Roberts this tradition OF
the ancient knights IL not meaningless.
A peers robe costs between co aud $50.
So Tar as personal decoration g. con-
cerned. the more serious items OF expendi.
ture which new earl L. called upon "a
defray have been accouuted for But
there are many other claims upon his
purse. The chancellor OF the oNchequer
demands certain fees for the patent of no
biltN, ana the crown. on behalf on its Of
hcers who prepare aud pass the patent.
requires further fees. Part VI this money
finds its way "a the college of arms fo
supplement the salaries OF the gentlemen
with high-sounding tibes who keep the
records OF mat venerable institution
In addition % the passing of the pa
tent, crests have 10 be prepared or chang
cd and other formaltics gone through.
The cost under this general heading may
be- rockoned at So gulneas. bringing the
grand total up TO les short OF cs'5."