New-York tribune., 1901-06-14
l BANK SURPRISE.
REDUCTION OF THE RATE IN LONDON
AFFECTS THE STREET.
SOCIAL INCIDENTS IN THE METROPOLIS
AUCTION SALES OF WINES
MR. KEENE'S GIFT.


officials had secret information respecting peace
negotiations which had been withheld from
the public This explanation was not required
for Justification of the action Of the bank direc-
tors and a matter Of fact. Mr.. Balfour
stated later in the evening in the House of Com
mons that there foundation for rumors
that peace negotiations have again been entered
into The bank return disclosed material inn
provement in reserves and the conditions of the
money market rendered a reduction in the rate
natural and necessary. The business of the
stock market remains light. and there is
urgent demand for money for commercial and
industrial enterprises. The reduction in the rate
is the sequel to stagnant markets and general
repression of enterprise Business i. erests are
waiting for the close Of the and the period
of industrial development which must follow
il in South Africa and elsewhere.
There was general satisfaction in the Street
over the decision Of the law courts that liquida-
tion Of the British America Corporation must
he compulsory. This was a measure which was
needed in order to restore public confidence in
q large class Of investments. since certain meth
DDS of financing corporations have thrown dis
credit upon sound stock enterprises, and thor
ouch probing OF the affairs of this and other
companies would have salutary results
-rba rreserta+ion Of q suit Of Elizabethan ar
NOR 10 the King yesterday marked the curious
revival Of an ancient custom. II was armor
once worn by champion Of royalty, who roce
fully equipped to Westminster Hall and threw
his gauntlet on the floor as challenge to com
bat The armor was used at the coronation oi
George ", and not eNhitted during the
Victorian reign. The College Of Heralds hunted
Cor il. and the Duke of Marlborough presented
it 10 the King.
Lord Sufield's daughter the Hon. Julia Har-
bord formerly maid of honor at court. was mar
ried yesterday to the Rev. Frederick Sullivan
son Of Admiral Sullivan, at st. Georges, Han
over Square. in the presence of swarm OF 1ash-
ionable people. There was crowded reception
in Manchester Square. where royal gifts were
displayed.
Mrs Carl Meyer had an evening recepuon' at
which Nine Bernhardt recited.
Mrs. Maurice Hewlett gave brilliant rscep-
ton for Nine. Bernhardt. which was attended
by many prominent literary people Of London
Sneaker Henderson is now expected about the
Goth Of June and win remain in London fort
night. He will receive special attentions in
Parliament from Speaker Gully, who will meet
him at luncheon at the American Ambassadors.
Americans have been buying pictures he
from the art dealers this season Mr.. Yerkes'
Mr. Morgan and Senator Elkins are among the
purchasers.
Lord Miners friends find it difficult TO per
suade him TO accept social invitations He takes
p serious view Of what is going on in Sou,h
Africa and bluntly says that he is not in mood
for luncheons and dinner parties. he is sehsl-
tive respecting the criticism TO which ne mas
been exposed, and is eager to explain what Is
going on in South Africa when he can ma
thoughtful men listeners. The general oplh-
Jon among Lord Miners friends is t'"- he has
aged greatly during the last four cars and h,
lost his elasticity Of mind t "A
pressure Of public responsibility.
Preliminary wine sales at Christies have been
in progress for several dG-s, and have been at
tended mainly by dealers. Sir John Th''
cbanonagnes and T Turner Farley's cigars from
Melton Mowbray were auctioned of yesterday
hv order of the executors. at moderate pre-
following the wine of Isabella, Countess Howe
and e,ocl, from the -,llars Of Lord Newton Lord
Coventry. T. C. Cartwright and others The
e,,-rlrs stocks Of sherry from Buckingham Pal
ace :, James's Palace MARLBOROUGH Hor and
sandrirpbaro have been catalogued in detail for
an apprr .ching sale. and - Is repor 90 At
large orders have been received from America
7 Morgan & Co. have forwarded to the
Prince ~ Wales's Hospital Fund for Londoh
b for 65n AT the request of FoXhsll
geene This amount is half Of the oaks STAKES
w by Mr. Keene's horse Cap ana beils al
Epson last week
ro-aav,s newspapers endeavor to extract as
much comfort as possible out Of Sir DaNld io0i
bo,r,s report on the finances of the IrahsFaal
ana ORANGE River Colony There is llttle sign III
the ranort however. of a prospect that me hopes
AZ one time exoressed 10y the Chancellor OF uhe
Fvcbsouer that the Transvaal would be apie 10
6efrav a large part Of the cost of the war can
he ful6ued while nothing can be expected from
The Orange River Colony. Sir David Barbour
thinks that there will undoubtedly be an in
crease in the mineral output Of the TrahsNaal'
but he does not, apparently, believe IN the
gigantic expansion which has been Tore
Swallowed This is not exactly glowing pros
meet for British taxpayers. II seems practically
certain now that the Rand mines will be in no
better position after the war than they were
before.
The Standard" in an article showing that IN
terest in family history is by no means cohIheo
10 the naughty aristocracies Of Europe points
out that there are dozens of families In the
English peerage and baronetage which cannot
trace their pedigrees as far back as the LANDING
OF the Pilgrim Fathers.
The third Of the series Of inanimate bird
shooting matches between teams representing
Great Britain and America was deciS 7ster-
day at Hendof. and proved 10 the last. as le
Amer again won easily. The result had
been looked upon as foregone conclusion, and