Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-22
TURNED lN16 A HOME
Transformation Effected of
Buckingham Palace.
FURNITURE AND ELEVATORS
Much Valuable China Brought From
Windsor.
KING VERY FOND OF SOCIETY
No Longer Visits the Marlborough
Club, of Which He Was One
of the Founders.

BY WILLIAM E. CURTIS.
Special Correspondence Of The Star and the Chicago
Record Herald.
LONDON, October g. 1906
Edward VII and Queen Alexandra have
turned Buckingham Palace into home.
In Queen Victoria's time it was used only
for official ceremonies and for the accom-
mediation of royal guests. She never slept
there except on very rare occasions and
would come in from Windsor Castle or up
from Osborne house on the Isle of Wight,
which were her favorite residences. King
Edward has had Windsor Castle renovated
and modernized and the living rooms en-
trely refurnished. He has also had Buck
ingham Palace overhauled from cellar to
garnet and two very handsome suites OF
apartments arranged for his own use. He
now spends all of his time there when he is
in London, and gives many private enter
tainments to the members of the court and
his intimate friends. New elevators, cleo
trio lights, comfortable furniture and the
modern conveniences that are found in pri-
vate houses have been introduced into the
gloomy old pile, and those who have seen
the family rooms declare that they are &C
tually homelike. Most Of the changes have
been made under the personal direction of
ments Is the adoption of the great balcony
which overhangs the state entrance into an
outdoor smoking and lounging room.
canvas canopy has been stretched the floor
has been carpeted with rugs and filled with
comfortable wicker furniture. During the
recent summer the heat was intense. The
king and queen have been in town nearly
all the time, so that this balcony has been
constantly in use and has proved a delight
fully cool loafing place.
Another interesting innovation has been
made by bringing from Windsor dinner
service of Sevres which was originally man.
ufactured for Louis XVI of France and
afterward purchased by George " of Eng
land for $4,000 1t is said to be one of the
most beautiful and valuable collections of
china that ever came from that famous
factory, and it has been hidden away in a
cupboard at Windsor for more than a GEN.
fury. In overhauling it after all time only
one dessert plate was found missing.
Queen Alexandra has also brought to
London a luncheon service of very fine old
Delft which belonged to and was used by
William and Mary and has been stored
away ever since their time. She now uses
1t daily.
In overhauling Windsor Castle and rear
ranging the vast collection of china and
porcelain many artistic treasures were
found, including almost every kind of
oriental porcelain, Chinese, Japanese, Per-
complete sets in Dresden and SAKE ware.
and wonderful collection of old Chelsea in
brilliant colors, which was made for King
George II. All Of these were placed on ex-
hibition in the public rooms at Windsor.
Queen Alexandra brought only the Delft
luncheon set and the Sevres dinner set to
Buckingham.
The Marlborough Club.
The king is very fond Of society. He has
a good many cronies and he likes to have
them around him. Since his coronation, he
has, Of course. been unable to go to his
club. the Marlborough, which was his IA
vorite haunt while Prince of Wales. He is
a regular member of Whites. the Royal
Yacht Club and the Jockey Club. and pays
his dues regularly. He is an honorary mem
Der of nearly all the other first-class clubs
in London, but for twenty years before his
coronation he never entered any of them
except the Marlborough, of which he was
one of the founders. 1t is the most exclu-
sive club in London and has about 500
members.
From it's foundation the king himself was
chairman of the board Of governors and
regularly presided at its meetings. One
black ball would exclude any candidate, SO
that there was absolutely no chance of ad-
uniting a member without his Endorsement.
Indeed, 1t was customary to consult him be-
fore any name was proposed. He pro-
posed many candidates himself. All Of the
European monarchs are members and many
of the princes of the European houses, ex-
cept those of Russia. of whom he was al
ways shy. Some years ago one of the grand
dukes-I think 1t was Alexis, although am
not sure-asked to be put UP at the MARI
borough Club, but not gratified, and
has not been in London much since. The
Grand Duke Michel, however, is a member,
notwithstanding the fact that he was BAN
ished from the ST. Petersburg court for mar
rying the Countess Torby. They live in
London and are thoroughly respected by
everybody.
is made up of soldiers sailors, diplomatists,
artists actors, writers and other profess
sional men who have received the favor Of
his gracious majesty and large number of
the nobility The club house Is a modest
building, furnished without ostentation or
elegance The dining room will accommo-
date only about sixty people, the smoking
room is comparatively small but the read
ing room, which Is the central apartment, IS
yery large The walls are hung with old
engravings. Probably none of the fashion
able clubs have so few fine pictures or ex-
pensive furniture. King Edward. when he
was Prince Of Wales, used to drop in there
nearly every afternoon before dinner while
he was in London, and 1t was understood
that he was to be treated like other MEM
bers. with absolute freedom from ceremony.
ANY recognition of his rank, any special
Difference paid to him, either by the men,
bers or the servants, was resented. for
everybody understood that it was his desire
to have one place In London where he could
throw off 1.-The dignity that hedbes round a
king" and enjoy himself like an ordinary
mortal So he played billiards, read the
newspapers, smoked and chatted with his
friends and frequently took his luncheon
in the dining room at an ordinary table. as
If he were only Edward Guelph and not the
heir to the throne of England.
After his coronation all this was cut off,
A king cannot go to a club. The present
Prince of Wales is a member of the MARI
borough, but is seldom seen there
Edward VII is in excellent health. One
of his medical attendants told me the other
day that he was as hearty as a buck" and
was likely to live as long as his mother
The companies that insured the life of the
king before his coronation and before the
surgical operation that was performed upon
him shortly after made a great deal Of
money. He is, SO well and his prospects Of
a long life are so good that most of the
policies have been forfeited.
British Great Gamblers.
The Britons are great gamblers. They
will take risks on anything and are equally
given to asking others to share those risks
with them. At Lloyds spectators can be
found who will insure anything. They will
take any chances so long as the premium
is large enough to make 1t a fair gamble
I was told the other day that the voice Of
Christine Nilsson was insured by her for
fifteen years for the sum of $50, 900 a year.
She paid certain premium annually to GER