PARS ABOUT NOTABILITIES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 95, 21 April 1906, Page 11

PARS ABOUT NOTABILITIES.

It has just become known in London that Sir Thomas Lipton -was arrested while motoring recently in France. His car collided with a trap, fhe occupants of which were thrown out. He, was released after paying compensation.- '

The latest society idiocy was a "freak" or baby dinner at Baltimore. The men were in knickers, the women in short frocks. They dragged wooden horses about, played with toys, blew trumpets, revelled in "Here we come gathering nuts in May," and other juvenile songs and games.

Some rears ago, when Lord and Lady Aberdeen were touring in Xew Zealand, they were greatly delighted with a young singer, Mr Walter Kirby, a son of. Irish parents who had settled there. Meeting him again by chance recently in London, they invited him to sing in Dublin, and on Saturday afternoon, 10th March, he sang several times, accompanied by Lord Herschell.

The Marquis of Anglesey, who last year succeeded to the title., comes of age on the 14th of this month, although by a testamentary covenant he will not take full possession of his property until four years later. Another peer who comes of age in the course of the present year is the Earl of Caledon, who celebrates his majority oh August 9th. Viscount Gort and Lord Holmpatrick will not be twenty-one until next year, while the Duke of Leinster, Lord Somers, and Viscount Combennere will attain their majorities in 1908.

Should the Queen-Mother of Spain carry out her rumoured intention of entering a convent after her son's marriage, she will h.ave a precedent in the step taken-some years ago by the exqueen of a neighbouring country. The widow of the ex-King Miguel of Portugal, born Princess Adelaide of Lowen-stein-Wertheim-Rosenberg, who has been a widow for close on forty years (her husband sat on the Portuguese throne for barely six), became a Benedictine nun at Solcsmes, in France, in 1897. The community of which she is a member became the tenants, on the recent expulsion of the orders from France, of i Northwood. Isle of "Wight. Since her advent to England the royal nun has received visits from King Edward and several members of the Royal Family.

In appointing his son, Lord Bruce, as his private secretary, the Earl of Elgin, Colonial Secretary in the CampbeU-Ban-nermann Government, is following some excellent precedents. Mr Gladstone, while Prime Minister in 1880, appointed Mr Herbert Gladstone, then a yoxvng man of 26, to a similar position, thus affording him an exceptional insight into the ways of statesmanship. Lord Goschen, while at the Admiralty, had the Hon. George Goschen as private secretary, and one or two other prominent politicians have done likewise. Lord Bruce's appointment is additionally interesting, as it is the first indication that he intends to adopt a political career, and thus follow a tradition which has been almost unbroken by the heads of the house of Bruce since Sir Edward Bruce, who became the first Lord Kinloss, was the Scottish Ambassador t," England at the end of the sixteenth century.

Mr. S. L. Clemens (Mark Twain) is growing more than ever America's honoured humorist. The other night, at a banquet, he was nominated for a judgeship of the New York Supreme Court. Mr. Twain, however, modestly declined the honour, declaring that he did not possess more conscience than the average American millionaire who evades the payment of personal taxes. The latest suggestion is that Mark Twain should become a United States senator should either of Xew York's much-criticised representatives. Mr. Chauncey Depew or Mr. Thomas Platt, retire. Mr. Twain has just completed 100,000 words of his biography, which he began on January 9. He devotes to it one hour and three-quarters every morning, except, he says, Sundays, dictating while abed.

It is said that Mrs. Bradley Martin, one of the most famous of American hostesses, is planning another greai ball that will far surpass anything that even this lavish entertainer has ever achieved. This ball will be given in London, and gossips say that it will cost a fabulous sum. In the first place, says the New York "American," Mrs Martin has set aside £100,000 just for the sole expense of the function itself. This will go for the music, the flowers and ferns,' and electric decorations, the wine and viands, the stationery and engraving, the chefs and servitors, the favours and the other necessary luxuries of the fete itself. £200,000 is the sum that Mrs. Martin has jotted down to designate the value of her own costume. She is going to appear herself as the Queen of Sheba. No other historical personage quite suggest?, the possibility of splendour in dress that she does. Her robe is to be of royal purple, the front of which and the borders of the train, twenty-five yards long, will be one almost solid incrustation of rubies, emeralds, turquoises, sapphires, and pearls.

M. Sarrien. who has recently succeeded in forming a new French ministry, is best described as an old Parliamentary hand. He is sixty-five years of age, has been in several Cabinets during the last twenty years, knows everybody in political life, has more than once resisted the opportunity of becoming" Premier, and from his character and his , experience is regarded as a sort of unofficial private and confidential adviser of the head of the State in times of crisis. His acceptance of the Premiership has no doubt been very gratifying to the new President. M. Sarrien is a- Republicanof Republicans, whilst he will do ■ nothing sensational, he may be trusted to "stand no nonsense", either at home or abroad.

Very alarming reports of King Edward's health are being published by the sensational American press. It is stated that His Majesty bears every external evidence of ill-health. It is plain to every eye that he is not strong. When he opened Parliament many Peers wsre shocked by His Majesty's appearance. His face was ashen, and his voice" was so husky -when he was reading his speechthat the delivery -was frequently punctuated bj' gasps like those from a man suffering from some serious internal malady. This is the sort of .stuff that is being served out to the American public, notwithstanding assurances from the very highest authorities that the King is in perfect health, and the fact that he has been enjoying himself on fche Continent. ...,..;,