The sun., 1919-06-01

q CUMBERLAND HOUSE has occu-
pied so conspicuous a place in
~ the social and philanthropic life
of the British metropolis during the
last sixteen years that its recent sale
by the American Duchess OF Marlbor-
ough to Lord Fhlrness has created
something Of a sensation not alone in
London but even here in New York.
Sunderland House was to all intents
and purposes a gift OF William X
Vanderbilt to his only daughter. Con-
suelo. after her marriage to the pres
emit and ninth Duke of Marlborough.
At any rate, he furnished the money
for its construction and decoration
after he had ascertained that 1t was
impossible to recover from the Crown
possession of Marlborough House. in
Pail Mall. built by the first Duchess OF
Marlborough on piece Of the royal
park Of st. James, which she had ter
rorized her friend, Queen Anne, into
leasing to her for the purpose.
Cause OF Bitter QuarreIs.
One of the causes of the bitter quar-
rels which ultimately broke OF the
long standing intimacy between Anne
and the former Sarah Jennings was
the formers refusal to transform the
leasehold into a freehold grant. When
in the course of time the lease, ex-
tending over several generations OF
the ducal house OF Marlborough, came
to an end the Crown. in accordance
with the provisions of tho agreement.
took possession not only of the site.
but also of the palatial mansion
erected thereon by the first Duchess
and converted It into q royal palace.
1t was the home Of Princess Charlotte
of Wales, only child Of King George
~, and later on the dover house and
metropolitan residence OF Queen Ade-
laide during the many years that she
survived her husband, the Sailor King.
William ~. It was the London abode
of Edward VII. from the time Of his
marriage, in the early spring OF 1858.
until his accession to the throne.
nearly forty years later; and It may
Justly be said that he ruled English
society from thence. During his reign
as King II was the homo OF his SON
now George ", and when the latter
succeeded to the crown It became once
more the metropolitan residence OF his
mother. Queen Alexandra On her de-
mise 1t will undoubtedly go to the
present Prince OF Wales.
When the Duke and Duchess OF
Marlborough and William X. Wander
bilt finally decided upon the construc-
ton of Sunderland House, there were
many superstitious people who shooh
their heads ominously over the choice
OF the site. Somehow or other the
erection OF dwellings on sites of build
ings devoted to religious worship has
always been regarded as calculated tc
bring misfortune upon its occupants
Sunderland House. In Curzon street
only a very short distance back from
Hyde Park, occupies the site OF what
was long known as Curzon Chapel. OIL
''The Little Chapel in Mayfair"
scene of Celebrated weddinss.
For near two centuries Curzor
Chapel had been celebrated for the
number of weddings performed within
its portals. II was there that the
sixth Duke OF Hamilton married n
midnight the famous beauty Elizabeti
Cunning on st. Valentines Day IN
1852. 1t also figured repeatedly II
parliamentary debates, In connection
with the Act for the Prevention O.
Clandestine Marriages, and at a mucl
later period in the House of Common
and the House of Lords discussions o
the laws prohibiting marriages O
members OF the reigning house with