Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-12

all their homely vigor, have been abolished
or modernized almost out of recognition.
Many of the old songs, with their rolllck-
ing choruses. 1t might not be desirable 10
revive but they are historically interesting
and should not be suffered to pass out or
the record of England's national life. Pro-
posals for rescuing them from oblivion are
therefore to be welcomed.
Troubles Of the Motorists.
English motorists are not very happy
over the details Of the regulations laid
down by the board of trade which will
come into force on the first of January.
Number plates must be carried both front
and back of motor cars, and that at the
back must be Illuminated by night.
Another clause provides somewhat am
biguously that designs painted or other
wise shown upon the motor car may, If
1t is desired be used instead of plates, and
any reference to plates shall be construed
to include. a reference to such designs,
and any reference to the fixing Of plates to
include reference to the painting or Their
delineations of the design" What th.s
means is not very clear. If 1t means that
pictorial devices may be substituted for
numbers there will be some opportunities
for the exercise Of humor that will consid
erably add to the gaiety Of country roads.
A motorist may be able to pay for his
luxury by ''the sweet uses Of advertise
ment.' or he may have his coat of arms
emplaZoned IN color showing through the
night There would be ample scope for
variety in the matter of family notices.
Memo me impune lacessit'' might serve as
some warning to the abashed policeman.
"Festina lente" might indicate the cautious
motorist, and "semper paratus' would
show that he would take his fine without
complaining.
Bridge" Game Expensive.
The smart set are hard up. 1 have today
hoa int
great Bond street jeweler which throws
lurid light on the financial position of smart
people whose names constantly figure as
fashionable hosts or guests in the daily pa
pers. The sale of jewels and portable prop
erty by fashionable spendthrifts of high
degree has been going on to a greater ex-
tent during the last three months than for
any time within the recollection of my in
formant. The smart set must have ready
money for railway fares and bridge debts.
1t Is fact that bridge is at the bottom
of this modern development of impecuniosi-
ty among people who are not ordinarily
short of money, and who are, at any rate,
ingenious In the way of obtaining, or earn
ing, 1t. Pearls, family jewels, works of art,
and even dresses are being sold in order 20
furnish ready money for the favorite game
1t is probable that an explosion will shortly
take place in the smart set in connection
with a bridge scandal which will be as sem
sational in its way as the Mordaunt trial
of thirty years ago. A certain paper which
is devoting some of its space to bridge prob
lens Is being excluded by many middle
class families from their houses, for fear
the ladies should be tempted to learn to
gamble.
Thinks He Is King.
A well-dressed man has for some Sundays
been attending the different churches in
South London and causing some commotion
among the worshipers. When the prayer
for the king is reached the visitor gets up
and states that he Is King Harold H. and
that Edward VII is in wrongful possession
of the throne. Previous to this he contents
himself with yawning and stretching him.
self in his seat if waiting until the kings
prayer is reached and he can make his pro-
test. Last Sunday morning, on leaving a
prominent church in Camberwell. in re-
Spouse to suggestion of the church war
den. king Harold" departed with his
thumb touching his nose and his fingers dis
tended In contemptuous farewell
The Stage Society has inaugurated their
season at Penley's Theater with a transla-
ton by Laurence Irving of Maxim Gorki's
gloomy but interesting 1.-The Lower
Depths 1t Is hardly play, but a series
of pictures and incidents in the squalid life
of specimens of Russia'S submerged tenth
who have gathered In "doss- house, The
various human atoms and wrecks, from a
poverty-stricken baron to a broken down
actor, who inconsfderately spoils concert
which is got up by the ''dossers' for their
amusement, by hanging himself, are power
fully sketched.' and were very well acted.
The most notable performances were a phil
osophical old tramp by Mr.. James WEIGH, a
hereditary thief by Mr.. Farren Soutar, two
clever comedians. who have made their
mark in much lighter work. Miss Emmie
Owen, once a Savoy fav0rite, was also
good. At their next performance the So
ciety win present an act of Bernard Shaw's
Caesar and Cleopatra" with Mr.. and Mrs.
Forbes Robertson In the leading roles
S; Barris's Quaint Play.
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