New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-15
KING LEOP0LD'S SUBWAY.
Connects His Lae5cen Palace soith
the Belgian Railroad System.

King Leopold some time ago obtained through
his agents in America quantity of designs ana
data concerning the New-York subway, and some
little speculation was created to the OBJECT
which he had in view. It turns out that the
information which he required was In connection
with the construction of q subterranean line run
nlng beneath the gardens and grounds, miles IN
extent of his palace at Laeken and connecting the
palace with the railroad system of Belgium. AT
present whenever he wishes TO start of on q RAN
road journey he is forced to take long automo-
bile ride through the park of Laeken to the rail-
road station. which is situated little dis
lance from the gates. So soon his subway ID
completed an elevator will carry him down from
his private apartments In the palace at Laeken to
his private station in the sub basement, where he
will ind his private railroad gar, with an electric
motor. In waiting All that he will have to DO
will be to step boar6 and to ride through his
own private subway to the point where it connects
with the lines of the Belgium railroad SYSTEM
where locomotive viii be in waiting to haul his
car to Paris, to Ostend or to whatever destination
he wishes
It will insure him, of course, an immense amount
OF additional convenience, and especially OF that
privacy with which he likes to environ his golngs
and comings. But it is a luxury IN which only an
immensely wealthy wEo does not Know "hat
to dc with his money could afford to indulge 1he
grounds of Laeken already traversed in many
directions by roomy. well lighted tunnels. connect
ing the palace with the hothouses the staoles au'
above all. with that beautiful and mysterious pa
CODA upon which the King mas spent LLnSAAo' @1
which is a perfect marvel OF Oriental arI' INC
lacquer panels in particular being welinigh pFlce
less But until now he has not attempted any
thing in the line of a subway railroad.
In fact, the only thing of the kind that can re-
call the wonderful subterranean carriage orlVe,
several miles In length built by the late Duke OF
Portland at WeIbeck Abbey. and which enabled
him to step into his carriage IN the basement u
his stately mansion. or, rather, palace anu ~
drive away unseen tc a point where a small lodge
oty,oIn Of
barred the access from the public highway 10 inc
entrance of the tunnel, which cannot be seen from
the road IN this way the Duke of Portland was
able to come and to go between Weibeck AOoeS
and London with hardly any of the many nun
dreds of people and their families employed on
the Mace being aware of his movements It IS
indeed the mystery with which he enVeiopeo t'ie
latter and his absolute mania for privacy which
constitute much Of the foundation upon WHICH 'ile
pretepsions of the bruce claimants to the present
dukes titles and vast fortune based. the claim
ants asserting that the late duke and that cld MI
Druce who kept an immense furniture emporium
IN Baker-st London. one and the same per-
SON and that this species OF dual existence hau
originated with the late dukes dread OF Oei-s
held accountable for the sudden death OF ms La
mons brother Lord George Cavendish-Bentnck~
I.aeken the Kings favorte hcme. Is situated
about four or five miles from Brussels ana oa'
ing from the time when the Netherlands were ruieo
nv archducal Austrian vceroys, was frequently
Josephine It was there. indeed, that Napoleon
signed that fateful declaration of war against
Russia which may be said to have marked the De-
ginning of his downfall It has been to great e&-
tert rebuilt by Leopold especially since the de-
struction some twelve years ago Of one of the
wings of the palace by fire. which almost cost
the life of his daughter Clementine, and In the
flames OF which her old governess' VINO hao Deen
with her since her earliest childhood persisted at
one time King Leopold used to entertain there
and he still occasionally gives garden parties IN
tho grounds; but save at these times TIE place
is closed to the public, especially since Princess
-,enoentine for reasons which it is unnecessary
to recapitulate here, declined to live any longer
with her father. and set up an establishment Oh
her own. State receptions and court functlohs
usually take place at the royal palace at Brussels
and it is no exaggeTation to assert that to-day
I,aelsen, with it's exquisite gardens and all It's
marvels hak become enveloped in as much mystery
and ia enytroned with as impenetrable wall OF
privacy as was weIbeck Abbey In the days Of the
late Duke OF Portland.