New-York tribune., 1908-10-21
VERSAILLES'S PERIL
Escape of the Palace from Destruc-
to- Is Amazing.

az
Gallo history. VIII be glad learn that effectual
steps are at length being taken TO protect II from
destruction by fire. The burning of the central
.eleohone Office at Paris some three weeks ago
srd likewise OF two cottages near the Trianon. oo-
-,,uie6 by men employed in the Versailles Palace
,srsens alarmed the authorities to such an ex-
te-t that commission inquiry was appointed
70 Investigate the conditions OF safety OF the
palace Of Versailles against the danger Of FIRE
TIE state Of affairs disclosed was Of the most
extraordinary nature and It is a perfect miracle
thai the palace should have fallen a prey to
fire long ago To begin with. IL seems that thera
has been until now no telephone communication
between the TWO Trianons and the Palace of Yer
saiiles so that one or the ether might have burned
down without anybody at the palace being aware
OF the fact Then il was shown that ,-o-, N
O'clock in the evening until the following ynorn,r
at there was no telephone communication ,r,,s
Paris. owing to the central Office in the sleepx ojd
town Of Versailles being closed UP at night Thus
fhe palace might have almost burned down yvs,b
out there having been anv wav saxa +ha 81,
graph. O. sumnoning from Paris assistance and
above an up-to-oate fire engines and other methods
OF eA'insdIsh'ng names For at Versailles every
thing IN this line, save the hydrants is OF the
most antiouated and elementary description
Finslly-and this is the worst feature % oil :.
was ascertained that the immense palace was
heated during the winter ard kept free from damn
oar1ns the summer by means OF hot air obtained
from no less than eighty oldtiue furnaces the
fues of which were constructed with tba ,o.*
reckless disregard Of danger Of fire running ~,
red!ately under wooden floors and along urooso,
beams, which latter in some cases actua1,,. h,s
perforated the f1ues. How the palace has as..-a5
destruction by fire until II is difficult ~ wv,
de-stsnd. " "i-
The government Mortified beyond neasura b-
these revelations has taken steps 20 at once do
swsy with all the eighty furnaces and tbeir co,-
meeting hues and IS installing instead q thorougb1r
U 10 date system OF steam heating while the
palace and its dependencies are to be eor,nne5 ,,b
plenty q chemical fire extingushers and to be
placed in direct telephone communication with the
Fire Department, both OF Versailles and Of Paris
while the two Trianons anu ali the other buildings
fl the Park OF Versailles are to be connected bv
telephone with the palace
The destruction OF the palace by fire would be
8 disaster Of not merely national Sut international
Importance. crowded il IS from cellar 70 gsrret
with ell sorts Of treasures Of art and arcbaaoIogv
adding 10 the value Of its historical associations
another precaution which is about 10 be adopted
IN connection wita the palace is the removal TO
Paris q The bureaus Of the Senate and OF the
Chamber II Deputies. II may be recalled that for
the first few years Of the present republic both
houses CT the national legislature met at Yer
sa.nes. 50 - 10 render the legislature absolutely
free from inIuences due TO the danger Of sudden
attack by q Partisan mob. This fact as well as
the Circumstance that the national conventions
composed q both legislative chambers, summoned
for the election OF presidents Of the republic
WAYS meet il the palace of Versailles have led 10
Ing retained there The clerks other officials
connected with these bureaus decline to submit
U Tie authority Of the Curator CT the Palace and
10 conform 10 the rules which he has inaugurated
-hr protection against fire. and the consequence
s. that they are about 10 be transferred TO Paris,
thanks 10 which very handsome apartments
vii 5e restored the public. for the exhibition Of
paintings and other objects Of historic interest
KING EDWARD AS A BILLIARD ADEPT.
Edward VII according dispatches received
fr5a England is tiTng OF bridge. and is taking up
Billiards less sedentary and afording a GER
tain amour. OF post-prandial exercise very bsne-
feiai 10 elderly men disposed 10 embonpont
70 1udge from the dispatches. would imagine
tast the King taking up billiards
ming altogether new. But the fact Of the matter
IS that he formerly adept at the game,
having as a young man been one Of the most apt
pupils Of John Roberts ST., father OF the present
billiard champion IN England. During the first
twenty years OF his marriage, indeed. Edward VII
enjoyed the reputation Of being one Of the best
s-lata11r players In the United Kingdom his only
formidable rival IN this respect being his legal
adviser and crony, Sir Charles Hall, who died as
Recorder OF London. He impaired his skill and
:on6ness for the game TO his two sons and three
daughters and many have been the exciting matches
PLAYED by them IN the delightful billiard room at
sandr.nghsrn. the present Prince Of Wales and his
Youngest sister, the Queen Of Norway, being par
ticularly clever with the cue, Queen Alexandra
contenting herself with the role Of marker In
fact the billiard at Sandringham useo TO De
favore after dinner resort, and Is particuaFIy al
t-ac-fve with its beautiful white paneling and, in
rrh relief against the white background. series
~ evorsitely painted sporting pictures, In which
some OF the faYoTite horses OF the KING are I'M
-,o--aIzed The spaces above the panelling Is
adorned with q beautiful collection OF huntlns
t-ophfes most OF which are the spoils oi 'he
RtDgss own gun Along the s.ces OF the room are
richlv upholstered settses which, with cosey
chairs and small tables complete the FURNITURE OF
the room. In glass case against the wan Is tiIo
Kings own a beautiful specimen OF .S
vrork-,ars.ip and memorial Of his Visit 10 the
Tlor7i7ion half century ago; while aiongsloe also
q. ,l.se case Is the faYorite one or the late Ouhe
- C-s-ence II was the death OF that prince VINO
vas 50 devoted to the game. that caused Ine nINs
as vel as has children to give up olaros Iol Ios &
sfterEard The game recaAeo 100 NJ. -
Memories These however, have been sotteneo oy
Tin. and both the King and his entoufese afe
r.s1nling their interest in BILLIARDS "hleh - IA
e. -, to b. restored TO its old position as the
tavorte royal game.
PRINCESS DUE HERE TO-DAY.
r--,,ssx Marie Ysernburg, who has sailed for tho
United States from Europe on board the hTonp,
zsssin Ceclfe, which is due IN Ne" I'm -,
is one of the unmarried members OF tne D~OoIls ~
branch Of the n1edatzeo or IoiNnts - - :, +ba
German House Of 7senburg. Like SO many Va -
other dynasties OF the petty states OF Germany
los its throne in the great upheabaI VI -
Europe caused by Napoleon at the OesinIils
tie nineteenth century. but retained many Piee
stsves among others that Of intermarrying on
foo,irg ~ .7uzlrv with the now reigning houses
Of the Old World. s |
The Ysemburg family is in no sense OF INe -.
unknown on this side OF the water Ohe Vi ''
members Prince Leopold. was over here as
Euitor for the hand Of the daughter OF the
car nnsznate Pullman, until the latter learning
that !, me marriage took place the girl would not
be received on q footing OF equality by ner nus
bands relatives. and that her children would De