OVER, a century and a half ago the four Adam brothers leased an area of waste land on the shore of the Thames, and began the erection of the fine group of buildings that is still called after them. Many times recently the Adelphi has been threatened, and today it has come at last under the hammer. If, as seems likely, this leads to its demolition, lovers of London and oi architecture will have cause to mourn, for Adelphi Terrace is a triumph of construction, and has always attracted distinguished residents, amongst whom at this very moment are Sir James Barrie and George Bernard Shaw.