New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-06
THE KEYS OF ENGLAND
King George Intrusts Them to
the Hero of LadySmith.

| Copyright. 1912. by the Brentwood Company
English naval and military circles are
thrown all aback"-as the maritime lingo
expresses it--by the appointment of Admi-
raj Sir Hedworth Meux. younger brother of
the Earl of Durham. as commander-in-chief
at Portsmouth 1t was general, expected
that this greatly coveted post, considered
the blue ribbon of the service. would go
TO Sir George Egerton, but he. for private
reasons" did not wish to hoist his flag at
Portsmouth.
The fact is that only very rich man can
afford to command at Portsmouth, where
the expenditures greatly exceed the salary
and allowances. as far as the Governor and
commander in CHIEF is concerned. If he is
anxious to do the right thing in the way OF
entertainment Of guests, and so forth.
Fortunately for Sir Hedworth, he is quite
a rich man, thanks TO the testamentary dis
positions of the late Lady Meux, who was
no relative of his. 1t is one of those in
stances where gallant gentleman met
with unlooked-for and unexpected appreci-
alton.
Sir Hedworth. until recently, bore the
name Of Sir Hedworth Lambton 1t will be
remembered that he commanded the naval
brigade that came to the help of Lady
smith, and that his transport of the great
guns of the ships under his command, ny
an ingenious equipment invented by him
self. from the port OF Durham to Lady
smith greatly contributed to the successful
defence of that town from the Boer be-
siegers. BY this feat Sir Hedworth won
great admirer in the widowed Lady Meux,
10 whom at the time he was a total stran-
ger.
Then. too. Lady Meux had met Lady
Lambton (while Lady Chelsea on several
occasions at race meetings, and had been
treated by her with a courtesy in strong
contrast with the ridicule and contempt
which she encountered from others who
could not forget that she had figured on
the music hall stage. and afterward on the
boards of the Gaiety Theatre, in London.
When Lady Meux died and her will came TO
be read IL was found that she had left her
famous jewels 10 Lady Chelsea, who after
ward married Sir Hedworth Lambton. and
had made Sir Hedworth her principal leGa-
tee. beQueathing 10 him the historical and
beautiful country seat OF Theobald's Park,
her town house at No. Il Park Lane,
house on the sea front at Brighton, in Sus-
sex; picturesque old chateau about twenty
miles from Paris, Sheen House. at East
Sheen, in Surrey, together with stocks and
bonds bringing in an income of considerably
over 10000 a year.
Neither Sir Hedworth Lambton nor his
wife had been well off. and this bountiful
windfall at once raised them from com
,,ar tf,.a 10 oil
But there was condition attached 10 the
will of Lady Meux. 1t was necessary. If he
desired TO become a beneficiary hereunder,
that he should abandon his ancient and his
toric name of Lambton and his armorial
bearings and adopt in lieu thereof the name
and arms of Meux This was asking him
10 make a very substantial sacrifice. Of
course, and l cannot help thinking that he
must have hesitated about making the
change. For IL was as Sir Hedworth Lamb
ton that he had gained so much distinction
in connection with the defence OF Ladysmith
and had won his medal and two clasps.
whereas the name of MeuX is unknown in
England except in connection with the
large brewery that had belonged to the
late Sir Henry Meux. However, with his
handsome income of more than 10000 a
year Sir Hedworth Meux will have no very
great difficulty in unfolding the dignity of
his new position of Governor and com
mander in chief at Portsmouth, as well as
carrying on his town house and two or
three fine country places. The investiture
of the new governor Of Englands greatest
naval stronghold will include as part OF the
ceremonial, presentation by the King Of the
ancient keys, symbolic Of his wardenship
Of the gateway Of the realm.