FAMOUS MEN’S ABODE

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 August 1929, Page 10

FAMOUS MEN’S ABODE

WRITERS AND STATESMEN. When Mr. William Stone, chairman of the trustees of the Albany, Piccadilly, gave a garden party in June to celebrate th& 125th birthday of that celebrated “bachelor village, he br'oke ancient precedent by officially including ladies among his guests. \ “Albany,”- as it is affectionately called, is more than an apartment house; it is an institution. Since 1804 it has been the bachelor home of many distinguished men —Byron, Admiral Keppel, Gladstone,, Lord Lytton, Lord Brougham, Lord Rowton, and, more recently, Henry. Arthur Jones and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, to name but a few. The building itself has changed remarkably little with the years. The first Viscount Melbourne built the main house, which still stands, and is seen from Piccadilly at the head of a small open courtyard. Sir William Chambers was his architect. Not greatly liking it, Melbourne made a deal with the Duke of York and Albany—hence the name now borne—taking in exchange the mansion .in Whitehall which is to-day the Scottish Office. Frederick Duke of York is commemorated by. the column at the head of the steps to Carlton House Terrace, whereon his effigy was placed high, it is said, in order to keep him out of reach of his creditors. The conversion of Albany into chambers for bachelors or widowers took place in 1804. A shrewd builder named Copland saw an opportunity in the building, and turned it into apartments for gentlemen only. The arrangement by which lie sold his, sets of chambers was: —“In fee simple to be conveyed and yested in trustees not exceeding seven, with a view to general regulation so as to give each proprietor a freehold estate therein in equity.”

At the same time a high wall that had screened the house from Piccadilly was pulled down, giving to the ".treet four new shops. A little later additional chambers were built in parallel rows down the length of the long garden. Although each suite of rooms is its owner’s castle, the trustees govern Albany. Copland himself once said, “There is reasonable ground for the belief that unanimity has been reached on at least one very important point—the determination that, come what may, Albany shall go on for ever in its appointed way.” And for one hundred and twenty-five years, indeed, this small universe has pursued the even tenor of its way.

Byron’s Books and Sabres. From the outset the rooms attracted famous tenants. Lord Byron went to No. 2A, and there wrote his “Lara.” He jotted down in his journal: “Albany, March 28, 1814. This night got into my new apartments, rented of Lord Althorp, on a lease of seven years. Spacious, and rooms, for my books and sabres. In the house, too, another advantage.” In a top set, No. lE, Lord Macaulay lived for fifteen years, congratulating himself thereon “in a situation which no younger son of a duke need be ashamed to put on his card” —entrance hall, two sitting rooms, bedroom, kitchen, cellars, and two rooms for servants, all for ninety guineas a year. The first volumes of his “History of England” were produced while he was in residence at the Albany. The rooms, simply furnished, were “very livable and studious looking,” said Lord Carlisle, who there took breakfast with him. Bulwer Lytton (Lord Lytton) was another of the literary lamps of Albany. In his chambers at No. 6H, on the east side, he wrote many of the novels that long after his day have enjoyed great popularity. Both the poet and the novelist, strangely enough, embarked upon the unhappiest phases of their respective careers when they left Albany. “Monk” Lewis, author of a single successful novel, occupied No. IK. Those names by no means exhaust the literary associations. Among statesmen, Lord ■ Althorp, who became Chancellor of the Exchequer, and whose lease to Byron has been above mentio.ned, was one of the earliest tenants, as was George Canning, who came in 1807 to occupy chambers in the main building. The young William Ewart Gladstone, when “the vising hope of the stern, unbending Tories,” was an inhabitant till his marriage. Lord Brougham for two years was a resident, studying for the Bar; and a. very familiar stage figure of our day, Sir Squire Bancroft, passed his last years there. Of a later generation, but equally picturesque—though fortunately far happier—was Admiral Keppel, whose quaint personality created many amusing situations. He was a dear, friend of Queen Alexandra, who paid him many visits at Albany. As he was perched on the top floor, Her Majesty found the climb rather trying. To save her unnecessary fatigue, “The little Admiral,” suggested in all seriousness that the coal lift should be covered wth red baize and that the Queen should ascend in it. When Queen Victoria heard that he was to publish his reminiscences, she sent for him at Cowes and told t him that she would like to read them. “No, ma’am,” said the admiral, “I am afraid they.would not be fit reading for a lady.” In point of fact, poor Keppel was not able to publish all that he desired, . as one of his friends afterwards explained. This friend had called upon him while he was dictating to a severe and extremely prim amanuensis, who took it upon herself to censor his literary productions. Keppel was pacing the room furiously, while the secretary sat unmoved and disapproving in a corner. “What’s the matter, admiral? Can’t she get your nautical terms right?” inquired the friend; to which the admiral replied explosively, “Nautical terms be blowed! She won’t type some of my best stories!” “The little Admiral” was shortsighted. and one day he was addressed in the street by a man who was vaguely familiar to him, but whose features he could not distinguish sufficiently well to remember. Said the stranger, “How are you?” The admiral answered, “Quite well, thanks, and all the better for .not having seen that beast of a doctor of mine.” It was the doctor who had addressed him.

Another story is of his. remark in answer to the polite inquiry of the vzife of Admiral Parker, whose guest he was and with whose husband he had, been 1 out shooting, as to whether he had had a good day’s, sport. “Excellent,” said the admiral to Mrs. Parker, “I have shot two woodcock, ten pheasants, a. rabbit, and youi' son.” Many interesting things have been said and done at Albany. The Saturday Review for forty years was

edited in the suite Gl. An amusing incident occurred in that suite. Lord Leighton called art the chambers of the Saturday Review and observed some drawings of Aubrey Beardsley for the “Yellow Book.” “Ah, what a wonderful line,” he said, “what, a great artist,” and then added, sotto voice, “if he cbuld only draw.” “Sir Frederick,” retorted John Lane, “I am tired of seeing the work of men that can only draw,. Unexpectedly enough, Leighton “I know what you mean, and I think you are I right.” ■ • j