Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-01-11
Britain's Monarch is Now Busy With
Coronation Matters.
STUDYING DETAILS OF PRECEDENT
Shopkeepers Delighted That the
End of Mourning is Near
LONDON NEWS AND GOSSIP
pecial Correspondence of The Evening sta-.

the opening Oh iiihJeSty 40
practically responsible for the details OF
the coronation. To the latter the king has
given very close and laborious attention.
He had read deeply upon the historical &C
cessories of the function, making himself
closely familiar with all precedents and
archaeological points. With the robes Of
the ladies', as well as with the costumes
of the peers, his majesty Is equally IA
miliar. From a box pleat to minute
shoulder or sword knot he Is impartially
learned No professional dealer in paints
could battle his majesty upon the varying
shades of color-grouping or harmonies, SO
that all who may be SO fortunate as to
see the coronation from within the abbey
will perceive in the picture and the details
of the principal arrangements much or
the mind and artistic taste Of the CHIEF
figure in the pageant. 49,
The announcement that peeresseS Will
not be expected to wear mourning at the
opening of parliament means tnat tnat
ceremony will be the most brilliant OF the
kind known since Queen Victoria opened
parliament for the last time with Prince
Albert in 1861 In the ordinary course OF
things the mourning for those associated
with the court would not have expired un-
til the anniversary of Queen Victoria S
death-January % The anticipation IS
generally attributed to the INITIATIVE OF
ing itself very apparent in court arrange
ments affecting ladies.
Good News for the ShOpkeepers.
A pleasant thrill has been sent through
the West End by the new order. 1t Will
set in motion great deal Of business con-
nected with the provision of new gowns,
1ewelry, etc. This will be the more well
come from the fact that fashionable trade
has been extremely slack of late, the CHRIST
mas stimulus having been confined almost
entirely to "seasonable' holiday articles.
During the latter years OF the late
queens reign trade in the West End or
London languished considerably. After the
death of the prince conSort Queen Victoria
ceased to reside in her capital, and when
ever she visited London it was only for a
few days at time. State functions were
not of frequent occurrence and society had
little inducement to patroniZe the fash
ionable shopkeepers,- but the coming year
promises to be a period of splendid activity
in the metropolis. His majesty and the
queen will, after the court entirely passes
out of mourning, give such an impetus TO
the business Of that large army of trades
men who are dependent to a great extent
upon court functions for their livelihood
that the ensuing season Is likely to be
marked by many evidences Of luxurious
ness and wealth Paris has hitherto occu-
pied a foremost place as a city of gayety
and pleasure, but In the approaching
months London will outvie her in this re-
Spect.
The first great event will be the state
opening of parliament. King Edwards in
itial visit to the palace of Westminster,
though 1t was attended by all the embel-
lishments of state ceremony, took place
at a time when court mourning was rigor-
ously enforced. The scene in the house Of
lords was consequently denuded of much
of the brilliance which fashion and luxury
contribute, but in January the historic
chamber will present a more magnificent
spectacle than has been seen for many
years. Then there will follow the other
events which will make the season unusual
for its gayety and for the benefit which it
will confer upon the trade of the capital
improvements ON the Strand.
In the new improvements near the Strand
for the formation of the new avenue from
Hclborn, London is being treated to object
lessons on values and taxation or rather
the lack of it. Remarkable prices have
been awarded owners of very paltry shops
who happened to have fairly long leases.
These people in many cases have been able
to squeeze anywhere from f2 900 to f12O
out of the county council, on which they
Will be able to retire and work no more.
Inc most surprising case came to light
yesterday, which could not have its parallel
in the United States, because unoccupied
land is taxed there, but not here.
A Mr.. Collingridge purchased a vacant
lot in Wych street. one Of the condemned
streets, in 1879 for 5000. He did not build
on 1t, but held it pending the expected i'm
provements In the Strand for twenty-five
years. AS his reward for doing nothing
except complicating to the extent that in
him lay the problem Of London, he then
claimed $4,000 and was awarded FIJI OS4
This was only possible because the owner
o. unoccupied land is exempt from rates,
which means that his share of the local
burdens has to be borne by his neighbors,
who are at the same time providing the
cost Of the improvements by which the
lie hain
1t Is at the expense of the small shop
keeper and the small householder, who as
occupying ratepayers, have to find the
whole cost of clearing away slums and
opening new highways, that the anti-sociaI
profits of the ground landlord are gained.
A tax of per cent, as recommended by
the housing commission, would throw thou
sands of these sites into the market for the
relief of the house famine. Yet when Just
twelve months ago a bill was brought for
ward for the purpose in the London county
council every moderate present voted
against its adoption.
Sixteen years ago a royal commission on
the housing of the working classes sat,
and among other abuses Investigated the
very subject. The Prince of Wales was
president and Lord Salisbury a, member
The commission strongly recommended a
taxation on unoccupied land, but the landed
interests in parliament were easily able to
defeat the measure.
Yet there is no political corruption ir
England!
Queen Alexandria, Attendants,
According to report the Duchess of Suth-
erland will be one Of the four duchesses
who have been selected for their personal
| beauty to sttend on Queen Alexandra at
the coronation. The ladies to be thus hon.
ored are the Duchesses Of Montrose, OF
Sutherland, of Portland and of Marlbor-
ough. They are to be dressed in cloth OF
gold, and to wear their robes and coronets
The Duchess of Montrose, as Miss Violet
| Graham of Netherby, was one of the love-
| liest girls In London society, and Is now,
| although the mother of grown-up sons and
| daughters, very beautiful woman. The
Duchess OF Sutherland is very noticeable
| figure, with her tall. stately form and
| crown of light brown hair, especially when
| she wears the splendid diamond coronet
which was made for Harriet Duchess OF
| Sutherland, to wear at Queen Victoria 8
| coronation.
| The Duchess of Portland Is tall, and at
| q state function, when she is blazing with
| Jewels, Is superb looking woman. The
| Duchess of Marlborough, although not
| quite so tall as the other three looks more
| than her height with her slight, graceful
| figure and long slender throat Her nat
| ura, beauty is heightened by a most at
tractiye and intelligent face. and the his