The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-12
AMERICAN DUKE
 PAYS FOR DIGGING Oriental Pompeii Discovered
 Through De Loubet ANCIENT RECORDS FOUND Excavations Begun In 1874 Have Pro- gressed Rapidly Indecent Years.
 The First Royal Act of
 Princess YoIande.
ANCIENT RECORDS FOUND
BY MARQUIS DE cAsTELLANE.

Paris, April Hone of the greatest at fractions of the winter season at Athens are the public meetings of the archeo- logical schools established there by all the great nations The two last lectures given at the French school were specially interesting.
 A Greek, Spiridon Lambros, pointed out that Greek was the official language of the Sultan, while Monsieur Holleaux, the distinguished director of the French school entertained his audience with an account of the researches now being made in Delos, thanks to the generosity of wealthy American. He referred to the Duke de Loubat, who is, believe your only American duke.
 It seems that the Duke de Loubat has discovered in the Greek Archipelago a sort of Oriental Pompeii of great riches and extraordinary interest. These re- searches were originally begun by the French school at Athens in 1874, and by 1886 over twenty buildings had been brought to the light of day. Many im- portant inscriptions, were found; dedica- tions, lists of household goods trades mems bills dating back as far as the seventh century before Christ.
 In the ancient temple many valuable articles were found and-what is more curious still-records- written on stone proving that the temple was virtually pawnshop, where money was lent at 10 per cent on all articles of fixed value. This interest was not usurious, but 1t should be added that at the end Of live years unredeemed pledges became the property of the temple.
 Under the direction of Monsieus Homie the researches have been continued and the theatre, the metropolis the port of the buried city have been completely re- constituted.
 And this work is wholly due to the Duke de Loubat, who has given not only his money, but as well his personal super vision. Inns American duke is veritable Mecaenus.
 The French are often accused of i'm morality. Their books, especially their novels, their paintings and the photo graphs displayed in the kiosks, their plays and theatres have all come in for unmerited-and merited-criticism. And so we may hope that the world will applaud the noble act of the Duke dc Montebello, who has demanded that the ashes of his great ancestors the Marshall Lannes, shall not be contaminated by those of the foulest writer of filthy fic- tion-I refer to Zola-
 I am sorry to say that he will not sue ceed in preventing this contamination.
 Well, at least the Duke de Montebello has gained the approval of all those who love moral cleanliness: and he has proved to the world that France is not so gan grened as our enemies believe. Our gov ernment is rotten with gangrene; but not the nation If popular opinion were con- suited on this matter of installing in our Pantheon of the ilustrious dead the body of Zola, who spent a lifetime apurveying indecent literature, the answer am sure would be an angry NO! Put him where you please-but not there, where sleep the great men of France.
 At the Italian embassy the other night I heard a touching anecdote, the uncon- scious heroine of which was the little Princess Yolande of Italy. She is years old, and for the first time she has made use of, her royal position. There was poor old woman, the widow of non-com- lnissioned officer who had been trying for many months to secure pension. Finally she wrote pathetic letter ana addressed it to "Her Loyal Highness the Princess Yolande of Savoy, at the Quirrinal Rome" The letter was gwen to the King. He read it carefully and then said to his chamberlain: "But this letter is addressed to the Princess royal pray give it to her"
 The chamberlain went to the nursery and found the Princess curled up Tn her little bed fast asleep. With grave DOW he placed the letter in her chubby nst and went back to the King.
 .sWel? What did the Princess say? the King asked.
 Nothing at all, Sire"
 every good" said the King, "silence gives consent-see that the old woman has her pension.'