Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-02
.blegram to The Star.


LONDON, April Ito British peers
who own London town houses the coro-
nation this year means a small fortune,
for the demand for such houses has
grown exceedingly brisk of late. The
bidders are nearly all American multi
millionaires, some of whom have already
secured flats in fashionable apartment
houses. but want to add to their name
the glory of inhabiting the residence of a
member Of the British nobility, probably
not without the silent hope that their
grateful landlord will get them a chance
to put foot inside the walls OF Bucking-
ham Palace.
One liberal peer has refused an Ameri-
can offer of $4,000 for the use of his
residence for six weeks. Another Ameri-
can has offered $4,000 for the tenancy Of
a house in Hill street during May, June
and July. but the owner refuses to take
less than $1,000.
Mrs. William Leeds, Mrs. Potter Pal
mer and Mrs. Goelet. American widows
possessing vast wealth, will be important
hostesses here this year. All these ladies
have already entertained royalty in the
person Of King Edward, or the kaiser,
while yachting in southern seas. Mrs.
Leeds has secured a lease of Mrs. George
keppeTs fine house in Grosvenor street.
Mrs j. J. Aston is in search of a new
London home. as her occupancy of II
Portman square is soon to terminate.
Premier's Fine Home.
The private residence of the prime min
lister. always greatly coveted by reason
of its splendid reception rooms. old ma
hogany staircase and walls painted by
Sir John Thornhill two centuries ago,
has been secured by Lady Cunard, al
Anglo-American hostess of great prom-
hence.
The selection of Mr.. John Hays Ham.
mond as the special representative of the
United States at the coronation has given
great satisfaction. He is an immensely
popular man, all ideal host and a great
sportsman.
While in London Mr.. Hammond will
stay at the old Piccadilly home of the
late Baroness Burdett-Coutts, where the
present queen frequently stayed as a
child, the baroness being a personal
friend of her mother the late Duchess of
Teck.
|. Besides the marvellous collection of
Queen Anne and early Georgian silver
| there is a vast quantity of very valuable
china. If Mr.. Hammond chooses to en-
tertain on an extensive scale he will be
able to cover the huge dinner table with
FlaXman silver, or he can make use Of a
service of gold with beakers and goblets
OF exquisite workmanship.
Filled With Art Treasures.
In the gallery is Sir Joshua REYNOLDS
favorite chair, while on the walls hans
many pictures by this famous painter
The precious Winged Victory from
fanina, showing the wonderful gold work
of the Greeks with the chisel 1000 wears
. NJ 1pot fo1in LoI.
lures of Scott, and the Mulgrave picture
OF Pitt. painted in the year of his death
by Hoppner, are few of the other treas
ures OF which Mr.. Hammond will be the
temporary guardian. 1t is said that he
Will pay $4,000 a week for the use of the
house during the six weeks of his occu.
pancy.
1t is expected that there will be bril-.
liant coronation entertainment at Dor.
chester House. and that the amba ssado,
| and Mrs. Whitelaw Reds royal guests
will include the Kings and Queens OF
England, Spain and Norway
Notable among the coronation festivi-
Ties VIII be the gala performance at
Ihls Is the first gala representation to
take place In an English theater, such
gala performances having hitherto been
reserved Tor the opera. and the honor
thus done to the stage had been re-
sponded to by the entire theatrical pro-
fession.
Among the recent developments in
connection with the performance, it
may be mentioned that Nine: Clara
notable feature will be the appearance
Of Mrs. Kendall and the welcome re-
turn Of Miss Ellen Terry. These dis
tinguished actresses will play the let
ter scene from 1.-The Merry Wives Of
Windsor" and will be supported by
Mrs. Charles Calvert in the part OF
Another interesting item will be the
appearance Of Mr.: Cyril Claude as
he. with Mr.. Arthur Bourchier and Mr..
Charles Hawtrey. will jointly produce.
the various leading and subsidiary
parts are being dealt with by the ex-
ecutive committee. The forum scene
from Julius Caesar" alone will enlist
tho services of considerably over a
hundred actors and actresses.
so far as the seating arrangements are
concerned, it is announced that the dress
circle will be devoted entirely to the royal
party and their guests.
An Army of $4,000. :
AS commander-in-chief Of the militar.