| Show HISTORIC HOTEL NOW HOSPITAL Star and Garter at Richmond on Thames Becomes RedCross Red RedCross RedCross Cross Haven INSPIRATION TO POETS Frequented by Royalty Until Automobiles Brought It Too Near to City London Sept 4 The 4 The Star and Garter hot hotel 1 at Richmond on the Thames which has just been purchased d by the thereal thereal thereal real estate men of ot Great Britain and presented to the tho queen as a a. Red fled Cross hospital for fer disabled officers is probably probably probably ably the most famous hotel In England For something over o liO years rears there has hns been a hostelry of this name namo on the brow of Richmond hill bill presenting the finest view of the winding river that I is obtainable anywhere within a R aday's aday's days day's Journey of London The view from tram the windows of the Star and Garter Garter Gar Gar- ter has Inspired poetry from Wordsworth Wordsworth Words Words- worth to Maurice as a n. picture which Bursts In a flood of glory lor on the tho view Still SUll bright still varied and ond forever new nsw I I 4 An n auctioneers auctioneer's advertisement printed years ears ago described tho the property as ns follows These truly trub desirable and valuable premises the Star and Garter on Richmond hill bill the favorite spot t for centuries past paRt of princes and the admiration admiration ad nd- and resort of ot tho the first nobility and taste in Sn Europe replete with every requisite convenience for tor the reception of all r nl ranks 8 in the public line possessing possess possess- ing the most extensive and delightful views of ot the Thames the whole formIng forming form form- ling ing one of the most enchanting pictures in Great Britain Notable Ono One of tho the most notable occasions of the big hotel was a 8 breakfast served ser on June 10 1814 at which were present present present pres pres- ent the prince regent of oC England the tho emperor of Russia the duchess of Oldenburg Oldenburg Old Old- enburg the king of or Prussia with Ith hi his sons and nephews The company compan which also included Generals Blucher and Platoff had Journeyed out from London London London Lon Lon- don by coach I Queen Victoria was a frequent vis visitor visitor vis- vis to the hotel particularly particular during I tl the 6 earlier years ear of or her rel reign n and thero there were few of or her rO royal nl contemporaries contemporaries contempo contempo- who did not at nt one time or another another another an an- other partake of or Its hospitality during the tho decade preceding the tho fire of 1870 which destroyed the greater part of the luxurious building Within two years cars it was rebuilt In even more magnificent fashion and for forthe forthe the next few years cars was nt at the zenith of or popular favor King ICing Edward while Prince of Wales was often oUen seen there The cook cool was excellent the wines un unimpeachable un- un impeachable and the cost hea heavy enough to keep away the mob Given GI a fine pair pall of or horses It was a delightful drive of ot Just the right distance from Hyde Park corner cerner the center of ot fashionable London on n a fine summer evening Not only onh wore were tho the smartest of or private dinners given Iven there but the tho great reat city companies held their banquets In the tho spacious pavilion pL and statesmen and andI celebrities les of or o every degree met beneath I un HI Automobile Helped Downfall DO lull But with the dawning of ot the present present pres pros I ent ont century the attractions of the Star and Garter waned It Il Is the conventional conventional conven cOn thing to tc sa say that the coming of oC the tho automobile killed its popularity Other causes CRuses contributed contribute The road instead of running through h pleasant open country was rapidly becoming becoming- an artery of oC heavy y omnibus and tram car CRr traffic Tho era of or the fashionable restaurant In town had begun and it Il was no longer necessary to go o eo sc far tar afield for tor a a. good luncheon or dinner Ten years cars ago ago the hotel cl closed sd Its Us doors There have ha since been rumors from time timo to time as to reopening It as a n palatial boarding house or rebuilding It into a block of or luxurious flats but none of the schemes came camo to maturity In Its now new use uso as ns n a perman permanent nt hos hoe hospital hospital pital for officers It will preserve for a work of ot national usefulness a a. site of or rare beauty The Tho hotel Is almost almot completely com corn surrounded b by park lands which have been gradually acquired b by bytho bytho tho London county count council to give the public easy access to tho the banks of at the Thames |
