Evening star., 1909-05-05
.oyal yacht, coming up with it three days


1t is seldom that a ducal house is to be
let furnished, and when the house be-
longs to semi-royal duke and an entirely
royal duchess the occasion is exceptional
indeed. The house in question Is that OF
the Princess Royal and the Duke of Fife,
at the corner. Of Portman Square and
Baker street, fine. roomy mansion with
plenty OF accommodation for what the
house agents call "a family of position.
A few days after the duke and duchess
and their daughters returned from Gibral-
tar there were rumors that they did not
intend to occupy their town house during
the season. and big ITO let board mas
now been put up over the portico. There
should be no difficulty in letting the house,
as the position is excellent, the furniture
adequate, If rather old-fashioned, and the
stabling with motor garage immediately
adjoins the house on the Baker street
side
The duke and duchess and their daugh-
ters will spend the spring and summer In
Scotland, returning to their house on the
sea front at Brighton In the autumn.
1-hey have already disposed of their house
at East Sheen, near Richmond, and DO not
propose to be in London for more than a
few days at time. The Princess Royais s
health, although not quite souno. Is Inucn
better for her winter voyage and stay In
Egypt. but she hates society and more
than ever merits the nickname OF "her
royal shyness.
New Religious Grievance.
new religious grievance is in the air.
The high church party is complaining OF
the desecration Of English cathedrals, and
tbev threaten to raise the question
whether the time has not come when a
closer line should be drawn between the
secular and religious elements. The musi-
cal festivals in the cathedrals OF
Norwich, Worcester and Gloucester
and concerts in the great churches.
have aroused the indignation oi
the sacerdotalists; but the lar2es.
offense Of all is the Shakespeare nemoIlAI
service which was held on 81 George
day yesterday in Southwark Cathedrai
in connection with the recumbent emgy
of the poet which it is proposed to place
there 1t is held that the committee re-
sponsible for the order OF the proceeolngs
chose the worst possible way Oh ai'ahe
Aieh churchmen are shocked at the
idea of Mr.. Alfred Austin. the poet lau-
reate. reciting an ode to ShaKespeaINe N
birthday so close to the altar But IiIe
most severe shock is felt at Mr. Forpes
Robertson's delivery of an address on
Shakespeares art within the cathedral
walls The musical part or the celeura
tion was also deemed an outrage. canon
Rawnsley has furnished the WORDS IN s .ne
Fletcher and Cover, who are buried mere:
It is declared that this is heathenish ana
destroys all sense of the speciai sacreu
ness that ought to be associated Wa.h
Gated will grow wider, and may be taken
in hand by Lord Halifax, the great pro-
tester and his friends.
At last a real repertoire theater Tor
London seem likely to become an accom-
plished fact. Indeed, the metropolis seems
threatened with more repertoire theaters
than ii is likly to be able to support.
still, the probability Of its establishment
Is nearer than ever before. Two schemes
are announced today. one by Herbert
| Trench and the other by Charles Froh-
man. The latter's name is known sum-
ciently to the man in the street; the for-
mer to select circle Of admirers OF real
poetry.
Fof Mr.. Trench. an Irishman who has
held high Office in the educational depart
ment is a poet Of great taste and beauty
of style. 1t may be said briefly Of the two
schemes that Mr.. Trench. judging by the
names of his supporters. has the money.
and Mr. Frohman the men. Which Will
count for most remains to be seen. Mr..
Frohman has to his hand wonderful
machinery and control of the best actors
the new school-Mr. Barrie, Mr.. Shaw,
Mr.. Galsworthy and Mr.. Granville Bar
ker-and some of the most capable pro
ducers'' of plays in the country.
On the other hand Mr. Trench's
scheme is guaranteed for three years
Which will win. only time can prove. Per-
haps both theaters are wanted. At any
rate, London is to have its repertoire
theater.
A very fine signet ring OF gold and
enamel was sold at Sotheby's a few days
ago which Is Of more than usual historic
interest. It is said to have been worn by
the vice general Of the Spanish in quisi-
ton, who was a passenger on board one
of the ships OF the armada. Capt. VIII
liam Nevill commanding one of Queen
Elizabeth's ships, boarded one big Span
lard and took the ring from the Roman
Catholic ecclesiastic. That Is why the
emerald with which 1t is set has glittered
Britons The ring, which is OF sixteenth
century German work, is engraved with
a shield of arms with mantling and crest.
the shoulders and hoop OF 1t being orna-
mented with q strapwork design.
L. H. MOORE.