NEWS BY MAlL

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXX, Issue 12244, 4 May 1934, Page 6

NEWS BY MAIL

READ BY WIFE ONLY. Tler.vey Allen’s • great romance, “Anthony Adverse,” would novel have seen the light if it had not been for the author’s wile. She is the only person in the world who can read his handwriting. - He took.four years to vvriL6 “Anthony Adverse,” and every one of its luiU-million’ words nyas written in his minute handwriting, which is entirely indecipherable—except to the export. Mrs Alien is the expert, and she typed each page as lie finished it. The success of “Anthony Adverse”. in America was heard in England before the work actually appeared there, and even though it costs 15/- in the American edition a great number were sold before the English edition was available. Messrs Bumpus, tho booksellers, say that the demand iwas so great that they bad to send largo orders to. America, and disposed of them as fast as they came in. mannerisms of EAMOI.S MEN. Gladstone is said tu have denied the mannerism lie had of ''scratching the back of his head with the back of his right thumb • before bringing his liaml down to thump on tho papers on the table before him.” Not until lie had seen a car-’ toon showing a habit of standing at tho table of the Lords with hands clasped as in prayer, did Granville realise that, ho used this- attitude continually. It is thought that the late Earl of Balfour’s habit of clutching Jiis coat lapels was at first a purely nervous gesture, but it became a definite mannerism that remained throughout his' life. Disraeli’s hands were always a trouble to him iwhile speaking, and Lord Russell’s greatest flights of oratory could be anticipated by his habit of folding his arms and clasping them tightly.

WHISTLE WORTH THOUSANDS

Marion We stout t, a 10-year-old girl. <-,f Plymouth, can wake up the birds in the woods after they have gone to sleep and get them to answer her whistle (says tho “Sunday Despatch”). It is said that only three other persons in Europe possess the same gift of whistling, and her whistle will be worth thousands of pounds. Her mother said that Marion went to Radford Moods when all the bmls were asleep. In a few minutes her whistle had awakened the birds and they were twittering and cal Him to one another and answering her. Marion whistles in the way that other people sing through her vocal chords. Marion began to whistle when she was a year ami nine months old. and her mother made her whistle for her toys. A teacher of singing developed the whistle, and now Marion performs for the local charities. She hopes to whistle for a living when she leaves school.