Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-16

dozen clubs which are on the verge OF
bankruptcy because the management does
not realize this. The latest bidder 1or 1ame
is going to run the social element strong.
There will be receptions and dinners at ire
ouent intervals to which the best and the
richest people in European and trans-At-
lantic society will be invited as guests The
executives do not like to put Forward oell-
nitely Just yet an expectation they nave
namely, that the Prince of Wales may &C
cept the post of president, but there Is
every hope that he will do so, more espe-
cially as the Duke of Northumberland, VINO
is so closely associated with the club Is
persona grata at court-a recent most, TOO,
to the king and queen-and can be rened
upon to use his influence with his royal
highnesS
Unlike the king, the prince takes great
interest in art and rather prides himself on
his knowledge of pictures, Of which, by the
way, Edward VII knows practically moth
ing. and, If the truth must be told, cares
less The best proof of the kings supreme
indifference to art is furnished in the fact
that since the day he assembled the throne
though always invited, he has invariably
declined to be present at the Royal Acad-
envy dinner, fact which has created con-
siderable dissatisfaction in artistic circles
the crowned heads of Europe to give their
patronage to the United Arts Club. The
Queen of Roumania Carmen SYLVIA has
already written. asking particulars OF 1t and
promising her support. The Landgrave OF
Hesse, a cousin of Queen Alexandra,
most cultured man, who is so we'll known
in the upper Bohemia of London, Is an
other royalty who is warmly concerned IN
]. Pierpont Morgan's pet scheme Music is
the love of his life. Being blind, all MS
happiness comes to him through it.. He Is
himself composer of no mean order, his
songs being full of melody and pathos.
Sargent & Shannon have attested their
appreciation of the clubs enterprise, and
are sure to be seen frequently within lts
walls. Among other Americans IN the hst
of foundation members is Lafayette de
Frese who is a member of the committee,
as is also Sir Philip Burne-Jones
In the temporary premises of the club, at
"a Grafton street, there are already on
view quantities of objects dart. genuine
pewter soup tureen which belonged to
| Charles II claims attention. small Titan
| in the .unmistakable style Of the master
strikes the eye as you enter On the oppo-
site wall Is some priceless blue and white
china A priests robe Of the sixteenth
century is draped on couch: Here .;r. an 40
| tapestries mellowed by time into which
| some woman has. in the long ago, stitched
| her hearts blood. There is Sevres china
and the daintiest Dresden in the world and
heaps of clever pictures by modern paint
ers, all set out in an Adams room with one
of the loveliest mantelpieces which Adams
ever designed.
The list of the 500 foundation members
is within measurable distance of compile
| ton. These are admitted at a subscription
of s1S without entrance fee. 1t Is clearly
put forth that members have no liability
beyond their subscription. The foundation
members will have a prior claim to sub
scribe for shares. Members of the leading
London clubs and the chief social clubs Of
| European capitals, together with those Of
the Calumet, Century, Union. Kinckerbock-
err Manhattan and University clubs Of New
York. are eligible without ballot.
The secretary pro tenn. is Archibald
Graham, an authority on all things artistic.
AS an expert he holds an important posi-
ton in London, and his decision is rarely
questioned. LLEWELLYN FORBES.