The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-11

The idea of a visit to India in 1912 by the King and Queen, which was recently officially announced, I hear on excellent authority originated with King George himself.
 When he first mentioned this project to the prime minister few weeks ago MT. Asouith was doubtful whether the sover- eign could be spared from this country for the necessary period. Further exami- nation however showed that the good that Is likely to accrue from this tour will outweigh every other consideration.
 The outlines for this visit are now being considered by the responsible authorities, and it is understood that they will follow very closely upon the lines of the great Durbar of Delhi for the coronation of the late King An interesting proposal has been brought forward that the royal couple should be attended on this tour by those officers still living who have held the appointment of eommander-tn- chief in India. There are three of these, and each is field-marshal-Ear Roberts. Sir George White and Lord Kitchener. It is also probable that the Prince of Wales, Prince Albert and Princess Mary will accompany their parents on this tour, but this has not yet definitely been de- cided.
 Lord Curzon is likely to be included in the royal suite. and will probably act as chief attendant on the King at the Dur bar and all the other stately ceremonials are now being considered. The stay in India will necessarily be comparatively brief, since the King has expressed his desire to call at South Africa on his re- turn voyage. Neither of the royal yachts are to be employed by the royal tourists. but a battleship-trooper of the Dread nought type. probably the Indefatigable ~1A.- ;x-rA rr;1J No to1 ly fitted up for their majesties
 Mrs. W. Leeds, a wealthy American widow, is the tenant of Mir. and Mrs. George Keppeps handsome new residence in Grosvenor street, which Mrs. Keppel had intended occupying herself next sea- son, and entertaining there for her elder daughter, who will be among the debu- tantes of 1911 Mrs. Leeds was Mrs. Nan nie Worthington, her first husband hay Ing been Cleveland business man be- fore her marriage to MT. William Leeds. the tin plate trust king, who is reported to have left $20000.000, of which amount his widow received the greater. part. A very pretty woman, with rather romantic history Mrs. Leeds is likely to come to the fore as hostess next season, for she has many friends here
 Any American sportsman with a capi- eal or $l,bUU,UU, may Just now become the owner of lordly part of the British Kingdom for the half million acres of moor and hill lakes and river of which the island of Lewis consists is for sale for that amount and the buyer becomes the lord and master of 2S,O00/s souls.
 Lewis, which is the principal island of the Outer Hebrides group, may be de- scribed as a sportsmans paradise. for salmon, deer grouse, and snipe may all be obtained within it's boundaries; thousand salmon averaging pounds to 10 pounds, being caught in a season in the principal river, the Grimesta, and 150 ptags in the largest deer forest.
 The capitol Stornoway, is quite a mod orn town, with gas, mains and drainage. It also boasts golf course. Away among the lonely hills is scattered the largest crofter population of any pri- vate estate in Scotland. 8 people living in little townships of 30 and 40 houses built of mud and stone, gaining their livelihood as fishermen, and occupying themselves in the few acres which they hold under perpetual leases from the owner of the island. They also weave the Harris tweeds, beloved of sportsmen and women, and two or three times a year the island is visited by merchants who travel round buying up the stock on