Los Angeles herald., 1906-05-06
ASTOR'S PALACE
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MAGNIFICENT HOME ERECTED
BY AMERICAN
Near Tunbridue Wells, II VIII Be a
Magnificent Abode--Much Secrecy
Maintained About DetaIIs--He
Is a Lonely Man
special Gable to The Herald.

Special Gable to The Herald.
LONDON, May 5.-William Waldorf
Astors new house near Tunbridge
Wells viii 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 had strict orders to give no
information i'm connection with the
plan. why all the ado people have been
wondering, but then they knew nothing
of the burning desire of Astor pere to
avoid any word of publicity. 1t has
been learned. however, that as soon
as his residence IN Kent is ready for
occupation Mr.. Astor will take UP his
abode there and make it his head
quarters for the rest of his days as he
means to hand over Cliveden, his fa-
nous residence on the Thames, to his
son as marriage gift
This princely place was purchased
some years ago by Mr. Astor from the
late duke of Westminster. Cliveden
woods are among the most beautiful
in England and one of the sights of the
Thames Mr. Astor's beautiful electric
launch is a familiar object every Sum
day during the river season. 1t in
variably carries a freight of smart
women in the loveliest gowns who re-
pose among fantastic cushions in every
color under the sun.
LoneIest of Men
Mr. Astor's sons are most enthusias-
tic oarsmen and especially good at
punting. The lord of Cliveden is, how
ever, rarely on the river, though in
May when scarcely a boat is to be
seen he may be found alone taking a
quiet row. For all his wealth he al
ways strikes one as being the loneliest
of men. The friends who know him
best say that he is always thinking of
his dead wife to whom he was so
passionately devoted.
1t 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 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,
SRI, being such a very proud and re-
served man, abnormally sensitive and
without a vestige of anything like So
cial push. nevertheless had his son
made an effort he might have married
almost anyone in English society.
Princess Ena Liked Him
Last season it was said that the fu-
ture queen of Spain liked him. He
certainly had the privilege of dancing
three times in one night with her Sc
rene highness at a party given by Mrs.
Adair. But then he is one of the best
dancers in society and perfect adept
in leading a cotillion. Accompanied by
her mothers lady-in-waiting, Miss
Minnie Cochrane, Princess Ena has
motored few times with young Astor.
People who know him say he has
more business capacity than any mem
ber of his family. He occasionally
writes a 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-
cidedly popular, being very pleasant
though never familiar
The editor of the Pail Mall Ga
zette may be said to be something of
a novice in journalism, as the greater
part of his life was spent in India as
judge. Sir Douglas Straight is one
of the few titled editors, and his pres
ent salary of $4,000 per annum must
be decided improvement on his
Judgeship.