The San Francisco call., 1906-04-15
ASTOR WILL
GIVE HOME
TO HIS SON
Thames Residence
as a Wedding
Present.
Mayfair Regrets Loss
Of Rich Young
Eligible. "
Said to Have Been Friendly
With Future Queen
Of Spain.
SPECIAL CABLE TO THE CALL

LONDON. April l4.-William Waldorf
Astor's new house near TurEbridge
Wells will soon be finished and the
gardens and grounds are also nearing
completion. The strictest secrecy has
been maintained throughout regarding
this establishment and even the very
workmen have strict orders TO give no
information in connection with the plan.
People have been wondering as to the
cause Of all this secrecy, but then they
knew nothing of the burning desire OF
Astor pere 10 avoid any word of pub
licity I have learned, however, that
directly his residence in Kent is ready
1or occupation Mr.. Astor viii take up
his abode there and make il his head
quarters for the rest of his days. as he
means 10 hand over Cliveden. his IA
nous residence on the Thames, to his
, son as a marriage gift.
This princely place was purchased
some years ago by Astor from the late
Duke OF Westminster. Cliveden woods
are among the most beautiful in Eng
land and one Of the sights of the
Thames AIr Astor's beautiful electric
launch is a familiar object every Sun
day during the river season. II inva-
riably carries a freight OF smart women
in-rhe loveliest gowns. who repose
among fantastic cushions in every color
under ths sun. Mr. Astor's sons are
most enthusiastic oarsmen and espe-
cfaily good al puntfng. The Lord of
Cliveden is. however, rarely on the
river, though in May, when scarcely q
boat is 70 be seen, he may be found
alone taking quiet row. For all his
wealth he always strikes one as being
the loneliest Of men, The friends who
know him best say that he is always
thinking OF his dead wife. 10 whom he
was so passionately devoted.
It is not. TO be wondered at that there
IS great wailing and gnashing of teeth
in Mayfair and Belgravia over the loss
Of so important a suitor as young Mr..
Astor, for whom society matrons and
their fair offspring had been angling
long before he attained his majority.
Although the Astors cannot be said TO
be popular in British society, Mr. Astor,
senior. being such a very proud and re-
served man, abnormally sensitive and
without a vestige OF anything Ike So
cisl push, nevertheless had his son
made. an effort he might have married
almost any one in English society.
Last season II was said that the
future Queen of Spain liked" him. He
certainly. had the privilege OF dancing
three times in one night with her
Serene Highness at a party given by
best dancers in society and perfect
adept ia leading a cotillon. Accom-
panied by her mothers lady-in- wait
ing, Miss Minnie Cochrane, Princess
Ens has rotored a few times with
young Astor.
People who know him say he has
more business capacity than any mem
Der Of his family. He occasionally
writes leader for his fathers paper.
the Pail Mall Gazette" and when in
London is IN the office every morning.
with that portion Of the staff with
whom he comes into contact he is de-
oide6ly popular. being very pleasant
though never familiar. The editor Of
the Pail Mall Gazette" may be said
20 be something OF a novice in Journal
ism, as the greater part Of his life was
spent IN India as Judge Sir Douglas
Straight IS one OF the fe% titled edi-
tors and his present salary OF $4,000
per snnum must be a decided improve
ment on HIS judgeship-