Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-26

the first day l saw him, bright bow in red
petticoats, playing with his mother" When
Lord Salisbury succeeded to the family es-
tateS, Gladstone was one of his first guests
at Hatfield.
learn that the ex-premer has recently
greatly enlarged his villa in the south of
France, and has also extended the labora-
tory at the villa and has made consdera HE
additions to his library of books on chem
istry. 1t is inferred from this that he in
tends to spend a considerable portion of his
future life on the Riviera.
New Leader in the Lords.
The Duke of Devonshire is to succeed
Lord Salisbury rs leader in the house of
lords Meanwhile Mr.. Balfour has taken
over the lord privy seals, and consequently
holds the quadruple position of prime min
lister, first lord of the treasury, lord priyy
seal and leader of the house of commons
It is thought that Sir Michael Hicks-Beach
will accept a peerase and disappear in the
gilded chamber but Sir Michael once de-
clared that he thought of the Oldest
baronetces in the Kingdom (his own dates
from 1870 as great an honor as a newly
created peerage. Sir Michael is himself a
comparatively poor man, the victim of agri-
cultural depression. He is the holder of
second-class cabinet minister's pension of
81 200 a year. Mr. Chaplain receives
similar pension and Viscount Cross draws
a first-class cabinet minister's pension of
G2OOO a year. Lord George Hamilton is
also in receipt of a first-class minister's
pension. but, of course, does not draw the
emolument while actually serving in
cabinet Sir Michael Hicks Beach's pension
will therefore revive on his leaving the
cabinet if he cares to avail himself of it.
Mr. Gladstone gave similar pensions to Mr..
Shaw-Lefevre and the late Mr. Mundella
In the lobby last night there was report,
which l mention merely because it is inter-
esting, that Lord Curzon is to be recalled
from India to occupy place in the recon
structed cabinet. Lord Curzon'S period of
office has not yet expired but with Wis.,
count Kitcheners arrival in India his
strong personality in that great dependency
could be dispensed With
New Type of Warships
I learn that the British admiralty has
under consideration the designs and tenders
at present prepared by the leading ship
building and engineering firms throughout
the country for ten scouts, which are TO
form a new departure in warship types.
Excepting torpedo boat craft, this is the
first occasion for many years upon which
the admiralty has invited builders to sub
init designs, and the success of the expert
ment will largely determine how far the
same procedure viii be adopted in connoc-
ton with larger vessels These scouts may
be regarded as more or less magnitied tor
pedo boat destroyers. They are intended
to DE larger so as TO keep the sea III TouSf
wea Their. and also to have greater coal and
ammunition storage, TO give a wider radius
of action.
The gun power is to be much greater
and, although reduction in speed is IN
volved, the advantages gained will much
more than counterbalance this. On an
eight hours trial the rate is to be twenty
five knots, with sufficient coal on board to
enable the ship to go 1,500 sea miles at a
speed of from ten to twelve knots. The
method of testing the speed, will be By
running over the measured mile and de-
termining the number of revolutions neces
sary for the twenty-five knots, and the
maintaining of the revolutions at an aver
age corresponding to this for eight hours
viii! satisfy the requirements.
From what | can learn 10000 to 1900 in
dlcated horse power is likely to be re-
CURED for the speed of boat answering
other requirements. The vessels are to
carry as maximum coal supply sufficient
to give radius of action of 5000 sea miles
a ten to twelve knots, which is very great
for such fast boats. The coal consumption
is TO be based on a trial of the great length
OF ninety-six hours, which will be a test
OF engines as well as boilers. With de-
only of three hours duration, and with all
other vessels in the navy thirty hours.
Special attention is to be given to the
question of the balancing of engines and
the reducing of vibration, to make
the vessels more comfortable for the men,
and to minimize the working of the
structure which so affects ultimat ely the
strength of the destroyers. The armament
Is to consist of six guns firing 12-pounder
shot, eight firing 3-pounder shot, along with
two tubes for discharging 1S-inch White
head torpedoes. The destroyers have only
one 12-pounder and five 6-pounders.
Facts About Westminster Abbey.
The coronation is to be on August g.
Meanwhile Westminster Abbey is to be
left, with its scaffolding, It's timber seats
and galleries, its lath and plaster sham
structural additions. It is an eyesore, and
the abbey is unavailable for ordinary ser
vice. But history reminds us that it Is
mercy the abbey is spared to us for corona
tlons or any other functions During the
early part Of King Edward WIS reign the
rapaclous Duke of Somerset who pulled
down several London theaterS to obtain
materials for building Somerset House in
the strand, had even projected the demoli-
ton of Westminster Abbey for the same
purpose, the chapter only avoiding this out
rage by grant of some of their estates
1t was, in short, a successful piece of ducal
blackmail
The ceremony of browning will be con-
slderably shortened, and will probably last
no longer than one hour. The Litany and
the sermon will in all likelihood be short
ened. and the communion will be adminis-
tered TO his majesty in Buckingham Palace
before he leaves for the abbey. The quaint
ceremony of rendering homage will be dis
pensed with, and all the other ancient cere-
monies will be cut down as much as posi-
pie Much of the glory of the function will
therefore be wanting, but in the unfortu-
nate circumstances under which 1t will be
held there will be none to complain on this
score. suggestion has been made that
the military procession should take place
on on the following day, and that the place Of
Ine KING should be taken by the queen.
his majesty was at first in favor Of this
proposal, but in view Of the great inter-
ference of trade that would be entailed Ly
second holiday he felt bound to veto it.
Sale of Art Works.
connoisseurs at Christies yesterday af-
ternoon were disappointed when they
found that the two Burne-Joneses. 1.-The
Petition to the King and Choosing the
Lot, announced for sale that afternoon
mad been withdrawn. The dealers there
upon concentrated their attention on the
three Corots. There was considerable COM
petition for an exquisite example of the
WORK OF an artist who was, perhaps, the
hhest exponent Of the French romanticist
schooi-a little work 10 inches by 20 inches,
showing the edge of a wood with some