The age-herald., 1902-03-16
The Week in London

London March 1.-The Yankee invas- ion" as some of the minor weeklies term the Americans in London is welcomed by London store-keepers. I am not sur prised. Every American who is here for pleasure loves the lowing and scraping of the shop-keeper and spends money with an easy hand. A few years ago there were classes, one full of loud speeches and given to boasting They made the eagle screech. The others affected En- glish clothes and acted as though ashamed of their country. The easy de- struction of Spain's fleets by Dewey and Schley has given the later class courage Then again the United States is the fash ion. American phaetons and buggies are seen daily in Hyde Park and almost ev- cry store exhibits American goods in the windows
 Some time ago I referred to the popu- larity of two American songs, then re- gently introduced into London. One strange thing about English music hall managers is that when one brings out good thing the others do not try, as is the case In America, to get something better, but they immediately introduce the same thing, if possible, on their own stages. As a consequence these two airs are being served out each night in al- most every music hall from the Alhambra and Empire down, and in many theatres as well.
 It is not strange therefore, that one should hear a protest from some long suffering person. as was the case with an elderly gentleman who entered the box office of hall in South London the other day.
 "Is The Honeysuckle and the Bee being sung here?" he asked.
 NO, sir" replied the clerk.
 "Or Dolly Gray " pursued the gentle man.
 NO, sir
 The inquirer heaved sigh of relief.
 "Then you may give me eight stalls" he said.
 Next to the army movement under Lord Kitchener, dinner talk runs on the con- centration camps. The heart of the na-
  charges made by Miss Hobhouse went right to it. Press and pulpit took 1t up and the War Department was forced to act. It is now debated in the Commons. The recommendations made by Miss Hob- house and support ed by Sir Henry Camp bell Zimmerman saved the government when, the vote was taken.
 There Is and there has been no charge -T.1- ktZta with these camps, originally formed to receive the wives and families of those burghers whose houses have been burned or whose districts have been cleared. They have also been used by the victims of General Botha's own seventies. Ev- eryone-almost every one-concerned with the management has discharged his duty. Many of the doctors and nurses have gone far beyond 1t, but the task was at first too much for their strength, and disastrous blunders were made. The re- port of the lady commissioners who were selected by MT. Frederick bears out in details the complaints of Miss Hobhouse, which she would never have published if MT. Broderick had attended to them year ago. The leader of the opposition with courage and patriotism which do him infinite honor denounced what was wrong and by denouncing it procured its redress. Mir Chamberlain knew very well the essential humanity of the English people, He took the matter out of Mr. Broderick's incompetent hands. By his energy and capacity he has provided san itary applications and steadily reduced the death rate.
 The Queen and the Princess of Wales. as everybody knows, have expressed the wish that British made stuffs should, as far as possible, be used In coronation robes and dresses, but what is not gen. erally known is the energetic way in which the ladies of the royal family are endeavoring to forward their ideas They are seeking, both by example and word, to get them observed both in spirit and in letter. Thus it is announced that the royal costumes for the coronation are made in England, and the fact is, by au- thority, emphasized in a marked way.
 An exalted customer said to the dress maker: q should like it specially stated in anything written about the robes which you are making that they are of English material and English workman ship" But, notwithstanding this, many peeresses are getting their dresses made in Paris. Rooms overlooking the stand are fetch- high figures; s45OOO have been paid for the rooms at the Hotel Cecil and at many places the figures ran as high as $50,000.
 
 The Duke of Bedford has been award ed the vacant garter. His claims could not be easily overlooked He Is a very great nobleman indeed, and the possessor of an enormous property in London. It goes without saying that he is enormous y rich. Al Covent Garden belongs to him, including the Covent Garden Opera House and Drury Lane Theater, in both of which houses he has boxes or stalls In perpetuity The Duke has made quite | a name for himself on military topics. His speeches in the House of Lords are always listened to with the greatest in- terest and respect. A soldier himself, he knows what he Is talking about and has the interest of Tommy at heart.
 As the picturesque Empire style of dress will doubtless be often adopted for evening wear this season, the lovely gowns of that period so charmingly dis played by Mrs. Langtry in her new piece at the Imperial Theater will serve as models from which many valuable hints could be gathered. In the last act only does she appear in evening attire, ana