Evening star., 1903-08-29

themselves In town throughout August aT0
now being luxuriously catered for at the
Ladies' Army and Navy Club.
Started only year ago. this newest OF
ladies' clubs in London has now member
ship of over 5000 and quite palatial club
house in the old Bristol Hotel, Burlington
Gardens, which has been redecorated and
equipped with much comfort as any
old bachelor of ST. James street could de
sire. and with more luxury than he Is used
to. The cuisine is looked after by three for
eign chefs, and on Sunday special cher
for the concoction of Indian curries adds
an extra attraction to the menu.
There is billiard room. with the only
lady billiard-marker in London to give les
sons to novices and to settle disputed
points. and for bridge players there Is
charming little card room. The cigarette
and the mere man are tolerated, If not en-
couraged. in every room except the draw
ing room and the dining room. Many OF
the members who are passing through town
or on visit from the country find the
sixty. great convenience. and hear that
these. like the Irishman's pig. pay the
rent Of the splendid clubhouse
Hairdressers, manicures and the services
latest addition to the ranks Of fashionable
club life for women. The membership in
wolves some more or less direct connection
with one or other Of the services. The
the provinces and there Is a proposal to
establish a club for ladies at Eastbourne.
Mildonaires From America.
Although South African millionaires have
taken to building and buying mansions in
Park Lane, few Of them. wise men as
they are, have shown disposition to in
vest In real estate in the agricultural dis
tricts Some, like Mr.. H. ]. King, the
race horse owner-who rented Easton Park
!! Lady Warwick's place. near Dunmow, and
whose departure was regretted by the
whole country side-have indeed leased
country houses. but now MIR. Julius Wern-
her Of Wernher, Belt & Co.. who purchased
Bath House. the late Baron Hfrsch's
heavy-looking mansion in Piccadilly, has
Joined the list of English country gentry
by buying Luton Hoo. Bedfordshire. so
long associated with the social giOries Of
the late Madame de Fable.
Madame de Fable, who first married a
kinsman Of the Earl Of Dudley, had for
her second husband the late Mr.. J. Gerard
Leigh. who left her the magnificent estate
for life. She afterward married NJ de
Fable. and her house parties at Luton Hoo
were some Of the most brilliant of her
time.
in the autumn of 1891 that the engage
ment Of the late Duke of Clarence and
Princess May was arranged. Within the
past few weeks the valuable contents Of
the mansion have been sold.
Too Much Simplicity.
M. Pelletan. the French minister of ma
rine, has just decreed the abolition of the
full dress uniform of French naval officers,
on the ground that 1t does not accord
with republican ideas Of simplicity, and
the French papers are using the incident
to say unkind things of M. Pelletan's mo-
tives.
lists. who delight in portraying him in the
habliments of tramp-thus slightly exag-
gerating the republican simplicity of his
attire.
find the contrast between his own appear
ance and that of his service subordinates so
annoying that he wishes to bring them
down to his level? AS matter of fact. the
French full dress naval uniform is not a
very expensive or elaborate one, and con-
trasts very favorably in everything but ap-
pearance with the British black and gold.
Any British first lord who proposed a re-
trenchment in the tailors' bill of British
naval officers would meet with little oppo-
sition from those who have to pay the bills.
A captains equipment costs about as
much as an admiraIs. and little satisfaction
is to be got out of a full dress uniform
which costs $40. but is hardly worn twice a
year. When the Victoria went down the
claims for lost uniforms were so heavy that
an admiralty committee was appointed to
go into the whole question Of allowances
for officers wardrobes when ships are lost
with all effects"
1t was then decided that f256 should be
allowed to an admiral and f212 to cap
tain-although neither sum would cover
the cost Of replacing the wardrobe by a
long way The allowance list. then drawn
up. covers every item in a naval officer 8
outfit. but differences In rank make differ
ences in allowance. Thus an admiraFs 8
toothbrush is valued at two shillings and
sixpence. but a sublieutenant has to be
satisfied with sixpence.
Grand Old Music Hall Man.
Mr.. Charles Morton of the Palace Thea
ter. who is often spoken of as the grand
old man of the music halls. has now COM
pleted his eighty-fourth year. Last nights s
performance at the Palace was of special
character in honor Of the occa sion, several
Well-known performers; including Miss
Florence St John, contributing turns"
Mr.. Morton was present as usual direct
ing the whole performance. and this with
an energy characteristic rather of middle
life than of advanced age. 1t is nearly two
generations since Mr.. Morton built the first
OF modern music halls in the Westminster
bridge road. thus becoming the founder of
the form of entertainment which has be-
come so strikingly popular.
There are now in London some forty-fiye
recognized musical halls, and it has been
estimated that not fewer than 2).CO0 people
patronize them nightly. At many of these
houses the form of entertainment is in
offensive TO a degree. and of a much higher
type than was usual a few years ago.
The credit for this must be placed chiefly
to the high standard set by managers of
the larger halls, and especially by Mr. Nor
ton. There were several presentations to
the veteran manager last night. The staff
from the front of the house sent beauti-
full basket Of roses. lilies and orchids, and
the refreshment staff a fine basket of frul.
and flowers.
In addition the employees presented tes-
timonial on satin, informing Mr.. Morton in
verse how proud they are to have him at
their head. and expressing the hope that he
may occupy his present position for many
years to come.
THE Medal and the Maid" after a neces-
sary holiday. has reappeared at the Lyric
The second edition. produced last night. is
brighter and better even than the first
and that is saying a good deal, for the
piece Is one Of the most successful ever
produced in London. L. H. MOORE
The Irish and the King.
Dublin Correspondence Of the London Spectator
1t is universally acknowledged that the
visit of the king and queen to Ireland