The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-02-10
Restoring" Cliveden for
Expected Visit From
King Edward.
Mosaic Floors Ripped Up
Giving Place TO Marble
Slabs.
Young Woman Given Free
Hand With Husbands
Purse.

LONDON. Feb. s.-lIrs. Waldorf As
tor. IT,. is spending her husbands vast
fortune with a free hand. Cliveden. the
palatiaI country seat Of the young AS
tors, is at present in the hands of an
army OF workmen.
The King has slgniGed his intention OF
visiting the junior Astors in the course
of the next few months. and SO the new
owners Of Cliveden have determined 70
overhaul the place completely Not that
Mr. Aston, ST., before he presented Give
den TO his son as a marriage Sift, ever
allowed Il 10 get into disrepair. Indeed,
since Mr.. Aston bought II from the Duke
OF Westminster. seventeen or eighteen
years ago. lac has spent thousands OF
pounds on the estate. and, moreover,
kept 70 up In a style never before
known
But young Mrs. Astor, since she carns
into possession Of the place, which is fit
for a kings seat. has developed ideas.
She and her husband, along with her
two sisters and her father, AIr. Lang
horne, stayed at Cliyedea over Christ
mas. All that time the young mistress
OF Cliveden was not idle. She took her
husband around the whole place and
pointed out what she would ike in the
way OF alterations and decorative im-
proyement. Her every wish was a COM
mand 10 young Astor.
Mosaic Floors Torn Up.
A fortnight ago the pair left for Lone
don. where instructions were given to 4
West End firm Of furnishers and decos
rators TO carry out every whim of the
young mistress.
Several Of the floors Of costly inlaid
mosaic ere to be taken UP and replaced
with old-fashIoned marble slabs Tha
spacious entrance hall and landings ara
to be relieved OF their polish and given
"a more uld-fashioned appearance.
The scheme Of decoration in the draw
ing room did not suit Mrs. Aston, lr,
Instead OF white and gold. she desired
green and gold. and 50 il Is 70 be. Al
the principal reception rooms and bed
rooms are TO be redecOrated in the cost
Hest manner.
Mrs Astor did not think there was
a sufficient number Of bathrooms for
the house parties she intends to enter
tain in the future, so q dozen or Two
more are &c be added
Then the Industrious housewife turned
her attention to the lighting arrange
ments. The electric power was INSULT
cient and inadequate Accordingly. in
structions We're given that the building
should be rewired in order TO admit Of a
stronger current, and also TO satisfy the
scrupIes Of the insurance companies in
case OF IRE. For this purpose several Of
the lovely parQueterie floors had TO DO
ruthlessly smashed up. this task. II IS
said. even bringing tears into the eyes
OF the workmen az the wantou havoc
they had wrought.
Servants Must Work.
Next the spacious and admirably
planned grounds came under the lash Of
Mrs Astor's criticism There were not
sufficient greenhouses, so a large and
extensive winery. about 30 feet long. IS
{ in process Of construction The leading
gardener was Informed that the trunks
of several large oaks. IN proximity 70
/ the main entrance, must be surrounded
with shrubs
/ These are but a few Of the improve
rents which Mrs. Aslor has ordered.
Drastic changes have likewise taken
( place in the personnel Of the establish
ment. The servants have been reduced
T IN number and the wages OF those lucky
enough to be able to remain have been
/ lowered. The servants speak in whis-
/ pers of the extraordinary change that
/ has come over their new mistress Prior
TO her marriage, whenever she used TO
visit her iance at Cliveden. she was
/ most generous to all the servants, and
had a kindly word for each Now the
| fat has gone forth that there must be
no idlers, and anyone holding a sine
/ cure position in the old days holds 1t no
/ longer.
As a consequence, open complaints ara
4 understahed when there is a host of
T visitors.