Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-14

IL supposed that church stood on the ste
OF the cathedral as far back as the hepf-
archy. Indeed, 1t is said that the 1rst
bridge that crossed the Thames was a
wooden structure set up by the priests
where the present bridge spans the riveT,
and the legend is quite credible. AS the
building now stands ii bears architectural
traces of many periods, but at various times
It has suffered mutilation and neglect, and
has even been partially burnt down.
There are at present seven peers in the
house of lords over eighty-five years. The
Oldest member, Lord Gwydyr-wno must
not, of course, be COMPOUNDED with the
father of that assembly. Lord Temple
more-enters his sixty-ninth year tomor-
row. Lord Gwldyr Is wonderfully hale and
hearty, and is ninety-four years the senior
of his youngest great-grandchild. The next
Oldest peer is Lord Field, who Is ninety-two
in August, and after his 1ordship come the
Earl of Cranbreok. who will be ninety-one
in OCTOBER Lord Masham. who entered the
select circle of nonagenarian peers In Jan
uary; Lord Brampton (Sir Henry Hawkins)
lightweight in September. and the Duke Of
Rutland, eighty-seven in December. Alto
gether the combined present ages OF these
seven peers reach the huge total OF 60S
years.
A good deal of interest is attached by the
legal profession to the ceremony of raising
Mr.. Choate to the bench of the middle tenn
pie. Much secrecy surrounds the method
of electing .'benchers," but In view Of the
American ambassadors position In national
esteem 1t is suggested that the legal pro-
fession generally should attend the inter-
esting occasion. 1t may be added that the
unique compliment to Mr.. Choate ema-
mated from the four inns of court COM
bined, and the middle temple was selected
by reason of its close associations with
that ancient inn. Lord Lyndhurst, the
American who rose to be lord chancellor
of Great Britain, was a member OF the
middle temple. Five of the lawyers who
cie y,ad fha hn<,1.a fiDr, ,f Ind 6<,nn
and drew up the American Constitution
were barristers who had been called at the
middle temple.
all talk at the private view of the new gal
lery on Thursday was the statue 'Lycidas'
by Mr.. Hazard Thomas. Its story is now
public property. Mr.. Thomas sent it to
two important academicians threatened to
resign If 1t was not accepted. The new
gallery committee was approached. and now
1t stands in the place of honor, and it seems
Impossible for the most prejudiced and ice
bound academician not to have known that
It was almost a masterpiece. Mr.. Thomas
Is now the hero of the day, and the statue,
which is a work of great force and vitality,
Influenced undoubtedly by Rodin, will now
be appreciated and eulogized by many who
otherwise would not have given it a
thought. I gathered that very unmistak-
ably at the show, which was very crowded
and very smart.
Mr. Oswald Stoll, the energetic manager
of the Coliseum, made an interesting ex-
pertinent yesterday at his Holloway Empire
Theater of Varieties. Mr.. Stoll in reply to
complaints by variety performers that they
were unable to get London engagements
owing to the preference shown by man
ayers for continental and American artists,
doubted whether the complaints were ten
able. and offered trial turns to any who
cared to appear at the Holloway Empire.
Interest in the event was shown by the
fact that no less than 2,451 applicants sent
in their names. By excluding those who
made stipulations of their own, those with
names Of a foreign flavor and those in
whose songs or patter there was anything
Objectionable, the number was eventually
brought down to sixty. These were each
allowed a maximum of five minutes. which
in most cases proved sufficient. Upon the
unhappy performers who got over the limit
the curtain prontly fell, much to the
amusement of the audience.
That Metropolitan playgoers welcome
the opportunity afforded them by Mr.. Tree
of doing honor to Shakespeare Is being
proved by the crowded houses that con-
tinue to characterize the actor-managers
series of birthday" REVEALS at His Ma
jesty's, and enthusiasm is being aroused
equally by tragedy and comedy. The third
production of the week was Twelfth
Night and it is doubtful if this merry play
ever created more enjoyment. The part of
Malvoio is one in which Mr. Tree revels.
ana his embodiment remains strikipgly
numerous. l.. H. MOORE.