The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-10
SOCIAL AFFAIRS AT
COURT OF ENGLAND

London, July 9.-(Special.) liking George
inherits a goodly share of the thrifty
spirit of his grandmother. Queen Vic
toria. His majesty is not in the least
parsimonious or inclined to scrimp but he
is firmly of the opinion that the royal
household Is entitled to full value for
the money 1t expends, just the same as
the humblest of his subjects.
In this he has the hearty cooperation
of Queen Mary, who is careful house
keeper.
Sir William Darlington, keeper of the
Kings privy purse, under the direction or
his majesty has formed a clerical de-
partment consisting of three clerks,
Dockets for goods purchased for the
kitchens. storekeeper's, or buffers depart
ments had to be made out by the head OF
each department responsible for the
orders. which are sent up to the clerks
office.
A docket gives all particulars of the ar
ticle purchased and the name of the
tradesman who supplies 1t and its cost
The particulars of all the daily dockets
are entered up in a general day book,
from which they are transferred to each
bridesmaids account in the royal ledgers;
the ledgers, by the way, are bound In
dark red leather, and a crown Is stamped
in gold on the back Of each.
Each tradesman who has the royal
custom must send in his bill at the end
of the month. when it is compared with
his ledger account, and If it is found
TO be correct is discharged during the
first week in the month No discount is
asked for off any of the royal accounts;
q tradesman who receives the royal Gus
tom is informed that he must supply
goods at the lowest reasonable prices
and there is never any attempt at bar
gaining by the official of the royal house
hold II a tradesman is Thought TO be
making extortionate charge he simply
loses the royal custom, so he rarely or
never attempt to do so.
There are of course, several articles
which are supplied to the royal house
hold. by contract, such as coal, Tor ex-
ample the contracts, in most instances,
are made for three years, and the con-
tractors are. as a rule paid In equal half
yearly instruments. great deal of work
is also done at Marlborough house under
contract, such as window cleaning, car
net cleaning. chimney sweeping. and the
glass frames of a number of larger pic
tures are also cleaned under contract
All the servants wages are paid month
". the upper servants. holding important
and responsible positions, are paid by
cheaue, which is sent to each from the
treasurer's department; the other serv-
ants attend at the clerks iffice to receive
their wages.
The Kings accounts FIR clothes. cigars,
theatre tickets, newspapers, books and
other personal articles are sent in to his
secretary and are not dealt with at all in
the clerical department. These accounts
are also discharged every month, but
King George always likes to see them
before they are paid.
1t is not generally known that Queen
Mary is an artist of no small merit
Among the many souvenirs of her travels
are some charmingly executed water COL
ors of her own painting.
Encouraged by Queen Alexandra, her
majesty has also become a devotee to
photography, which is now one OF her
fayorite hobbies.
Her artistic talents have been inherited
Nv Princess Mary, who draws exceeding
~ we'll Among the Queens most valued
treasures Is a little drawing. done espe-
cially for the wall of her cabin in the
ophir. during the long colonial tour. by
PRINCESS Mary, and which was duly hung
4, Mace of honor. When the cruise
came TO an end the picture was care
fully taken down and sent to Marlbor-
ough House to be kept among the many
mementoes of that memorable Journey
A oO>As@A
c,es that the differences between the
Duke and Duchess of Marlborough have
been or are about to be composed and
that they soon will be together again:
have been unable to get any Official
confirmation of this report but 1t is gen
orally believed to be true in well In
formed circles.
THE Duke of Connaught, when he takes
nossession Of Rideau hall. Ottawa, Will
not be the first of his family to serve
the Crown In Canada. His grandfather,
the Duke Of Kent. acted as commander
in-chief there for some time; and his res
idence. now converted into an hotel,
NAV still be seen near the Montgomery
Fails, Quebec Having proved too much
of martinez at Gibraltar the Duke'
was sent to cool his heels in Canada;
hut. being invalided by fall from his
horse, he-the father-to-be of Queen VIC
toria-returned to England, though the