The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-03-29
MYSTERY ATTENDS
CLUB WITHDRAWALS
Circumstances Connected With
Imperial and Colonial
MYSTERIOUS NOTICES
The Secretary, a Divorced Woman, Is
Said to Refuse to Account for
Funds of the lnsti-
tuition.

London, March 2S-clubmen and club
women are greatly agtated over the cir
eumstanees connected with the formation
Il the Imperial and Colonial club. Mys-
terious notices have been appearing in the
daily papers stating that one celebrity
alter another has withdrawn his menl-
bership. AS a matter of fact a very great
many noble lords and ladies have with
drawn their names and there is every
chance that the club will never be started
at least not in it's present form.
The secretary of the club, divorced
woman. WHO was connected with the
formation Of the American Rendezvous
in Regent street. and who has held
very varied career, is the cause of all the
trouble. From various sources, including
the colonies. a sum OF about $4,000 has
rassed through her hands for "organiz-
Ing" the club which has temporary prem
lses near Picadilly. As a very small part
of the sum mentioned remains. the noble
lords and ladies asked for details of ex-
l enditures, which are not forthcoming.
The first cloud came when the Bishop
ef London withdrew his name His resig-
ration was followed by that of the Duke
of Newcastle. Then Sir Gilbert Parker
and Lord and Lady Colangattock grace
FULLY retired and were followed by the
Marquis de Several the Portuguese min
ister. and many others. The fair secre-
tary is defiant, although now hotly pur-
sued by creditors in all parts of London,
and the bitter fight now raging is likely
TO be heard of In the law courts
American society in London is always
welcomed at the house of Lady St. Heller.
tie widow of the brilliant divorce Judge
who made his reputation under the name
II Justice Jeune.
She has just moved into new house in
Portland place, which is slightly nearer
to the center of London than her OLD
house in Harley street. 1t is a great
foomy dwelling within a few doors of the
former residence of her son-in-law, Lord
Middleton, who gave up the house on SUI
eeeding to his fathers title and estates
at Godalming and his Eaton Square town
house.
The great attraction of Lady st. Helier's
salon to Americans has always been the
culture and intellect one was always sur,
of meeting The foundations of this bril-
liant circle were laid by. her husband, the
late judge, but the traditions have been
ably carried on by Lady St. Heller Here
che may meet the leading members of ali
the professions and services and the most
renowned artists and literatteurs OF the
Gay
Here also royalties are frequent visitors,
while the gatherings are generally leav-
ened by fair sprinkling of Americans
especially those interested in Lady s..
llelier's great social work A big recep-
ton is being arranged at Portland place
as house warming, at which Whitelaw
Reid. W. w. Astor and J. Pierpont Nor
gan have promised to be present.
The quaint old Red Lion Hotel at
Hampton-on- Thames, well known to many
travelled Americans by its proximity to
Hampton Court Palace, has had a curious
end. After standing for centuries it was
condemned to destruction in order that II
might be replaced by modern building.
1t was made the object of a faxed con-
migration in order to entertain the people
Of Hampton, give the local firemen some
exercise, and incidentally to provide a
realistic scene for moving pictures After
the timber work of the old house had
been well soaked with petroleum it Was
set alight and blazed merrih, while
the iremen performed gallant deeds Of
rescue which were carefully prearranged
Inc war against rats, which was recent
~ started in London with a powerful as
ISOLATION behind it, is to be followed bv A
vigorous campaign against the house fly.
Nilcn is regarded as just as dangerous
IL carrying infection as the ill-omened
rodent.
The following strong views against the
ny have been expressed by leading Lon
don physician: 1T is inconceivable to me
how people have tolerated the fly pest so
long. I firmly believe that flies will con-
vey from place to place almost every in
fictitious disease known, and their agency
IL causing epidemics of illness among
crildren is well recognized"
Miss Rose Fritz of New York, the
worlds champion typist, who can write "a
hundred words minute from dictation.
was visited at the Business Exhibition by
the Prince and Princess of Wales Miss
Fritz gave the Prince a demonstration of
her skill, which he took away after ask
ing her to sign it.
While women are waiting for the fran.
chise they are winning much more sub
stantial things. The writing of plavs,
which in England is much the most profit
able kind of literature, is passing rapidly
INTO their hands. DIANA of Dobson's -
the greatest London success of the year.
Is the work of Cicely Hamilton, When
Nights Were Bold" another recent sue
cess, is from the pen of Harriet Jay, who
writes under the name Of Charles Mar
lowe"
Look for their price list in to-
days paper. It will interest
you. Campbell Burton Co.,