CRYSTAL PALACE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 567, 14 May 1913, Page 2

CRYSTAL PALACE.

A great man, once said one of the most famous of mortal men, seeks the good opinion of the world and the esteem of posterity; ambition and enjoyment of high office do not constitute his happiness and satisfaction. Those words are surely appropriate to the case of the Earl of Plymouth (stßted the Westminster Gazette), in recognition of the splendid work which he has done in trying to pre serve the Crystal Palace for the nation. Whether that work is to be successful rests with the public; but if the Palace and its grounds remain as a magnificent air-lung for London's teeming millions or not, Lord Plymouth has certainly gained the good opinion at least of the Britißhspeaking portions of the world. Earl Grey, the chairman at a banquet to the Earl of Plymouth, reminded his hearers of what Lord Plymouth had done in the matter of hie purchase of the Palace and grounds. The object of the dinner waß to give expression to the admiration which was felt for the "public spirit and magnificent conduct" of Lord Plymouth. It was well known that the grounds of the Palace would have been put up for auction if a large sum of money, £220,000, had not been found. The man who found that money was Lord Plymouth, and posterity would not forget his generous action. The Earl of Plymouth received a rousing welcome. He is a modest man, and just told the gathering that he thought London would be the poorer if the Palace and its past history were not preserved. His "deepest interest and most profound desire" had been to see if the Palace and its site could not be saved, and spared from falling into the hands of the builder. Earl Grey made the interesting" announcement that he had received anonymously the offer of a gift of £50,000 towards defraying the cost which Lord Plymouth had made himself responsible for.