The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-19
STAR AND GARTER BECOMES HOSPITAL English Hotel Famous in
 Other Days Sold
GIVEN TO THE QUEEN
For Over 15O Years Was Resort of London "Highlifers," But With Coming of Automobile Its
 Popularity Has Waned

London, August 9o-(correspondence of the Associated Press. )-The Star and Garter hotel at Richmond on the Thames, which has just been purchased by the real estate men of Great Britain and presented to the Queen as a Red Cross hospital for disabled officers, is probably the most famous hotel in England.
 For something over 150 years there has been hostelry of this name on the brow of Richmond Hill. presenting the finest view of tho winding river that is obtain- able anywhere within days journey of London. The view from the windows of the Star and Garter has inspir ed poetry from Wordsworth to Maurice as pic- ture which
 Bursts in a flood of glory on the view, Still bright. still varied and forever
 new.''
 As it Was Years Ago
 An auctioneers advertisement printed 1so years ago described the property as follows: These truly desirable and valuable premises. the Star and Garter on Richmond Hill. the favorite spot for centuries past of princes and the admi- ration and resort of the first nobility and taste in Europe; replete with every iciuiSitc CoHNcilleHce TOT tne reception or all ranks In the public line, possessing the most extensive and delightful views of the Thames, the whole forming one of the most enchanting pictures in Great Britain.'
 One of the notable occasions of the big hotel was a breakfast served on June 10 1874. at which were present the Prince Regent of England, the Emperor of Rus sia, the Duchess of Oidenburg, and the King of Prussia with his sons and nephews The company, which also in- cluded Generals Butcher and Platoff, had journeyed out from London by coach.
 Queen Victoria was frequent visitor to the hotel. particularly during the earlier year of her reign. and there were few of her royal contemporaries who did not at one time or another partake of its hospitality during the decade preced- ing the fire of 1870, which destroyed the greater part of the luxurious building. : Zenith in Victorian Period
 Within two years 1t was rebuilt in even more magnificent fashion. and for the next few years was at the zenith of popular favor. King Edward, while Prince of Wales. was often seen there. | The cook was excellent, the wines un- and the cost heavy enough l to keep away the 'mob." Given a fine | pair of horses 1t was delightful drive | of just the right distance from Hyde | Park corner, the center or fashionable | on & fine summer evening. Not | only were the smartest of private din- l ners given there, but the great city com | panes held their banquets in the spa cious pavilion, and statesmen and celeb | rites of every degree met beneath its | roof.
 But with the dawning of the present 1 the attractions of the Star and | Garter waned. It is tho conventional | thing to say that the coming of the auto- | mobile killed it's popularity. Other causes | The road, instead of run hing through pleasant, open country, was rapidly becoming an artery of heavy om- nibus and tramcar traffic. The era of | the fashionable restaurant in town had begun. and it was no longer necessary | to go so far afied for good luncheon pr dinner. Ten years ago, the hotel closed its doors. There have since been 'umors from time to time as to reopen ng it as palatial boarding house or 'ebuildlng it into block of luxurious fats, but none of the schemes came to 
 In it's new use as a permanent hos oital for officers. 1t will preserve for a work of national usefulness site of are beauty. The hotel is almost com ,letely surrounded by park lands, which rave been gradually acquired by the london county council to give the pub ic easy access to the banks of the Thames.