ANECDOTES OF FAMOUS PEOPLE.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9981, 4 May 1895, Page 6

ANECDOTES OF FAMOUS PEOPLE.

< Mr Lookwooa, Q. 0., while engaged in the conduct of a cage, objaoted to tho irregularity a! the counsel on the opposite side, who, in examining his witnesses, put leading questions. " I have a tight," anßwered the counsel, "to deal with my witnesses as I pleaße." " To that I offer no objeotioD," retorted the member for York ; " you may deal ati you like, but you sb,a.n/t lead,"

An artist painted a picture of Oarlyle and Mrs Oarlyle sitting opposite him. The picture wag hum? at the .Eoyal Aoademy, and, though not a striking work of art, was purcha«ed by Lord Aahburton (Carlyle's friend) for £300. The delighted artist harried off to the Carlyles, expecting congratulations on the sale. He delivered his glad tidings, one all the response he received from SIS& le ™ 8 : « WoU » in ** opinion, £500wasjusfc£495toomuoh." ■ When Mr Oscar Wilde was a boy at Portora Royal School, Bnniskillen, bis teacher on one occasion had to write to his father, Sir William Wilde, the well- | known surgeon dentist, complaining of Borne of Osoar's boyish escapadei. Sir William saw his son, and, showing the tutor a letter, said :— "Look here, Oscar, here Is a whole sheet of paper covered with complaints about yon. What are yon going to do P" " ? nTQ over a newleaf, sir," wag the somewhat ambiguous reply of the future dramatist. When Mrs Humphrey Ward's most famous book was completed, the hero bore a name whioh was altogether unsatisfactory to the authoreas. She had fixed on "Eobert," but although she went through long lists of names, could not get a unrname which pleased her. Mrs 'Ward was ia London jast then, and her husband playfully suggested that the fresh air about their heme at Haslemere might bring her the needful inspiration. " Haslemere," the novelist repeated, dreamily, " Haslemere-Ela-mere! I have it—' Robert Elsmere s ' " And so the novel was named. When Mr Irving wbb in SanFranoiaco the Bohemian Olub entertained him most cordially. Daring a speech the eminent actor Invited the members to visit the Lyceum whenever they were in London. This remark was taken merely as a polite expi-eßsion in his speech, but Mr Irving has proved since that he meant what he said, for recently he sent a speoial complimentary ticket to every member of the olub. The tiokets were finely engraved, nnd mounted in folding morocco oases ; bat what gave them their greatest value was that each bore the name of a member, and was signed by Mr Irving. When Dr. W. G. Graoe was twenty, two years of age he had played against every first-olaßs bowler in England. In one notable matoh he was bowlod-by J. 0. Shaw with his third ball. Going to the wicket for Mb second innings. Lillywhite, for whose benefit the matoh was taking plaoe, pufjtwo sovereigns into Graoe 8 hand, and Baid, " Pay me back sixpence for every run you make, It'a I abet." The young batsman's confidence returned, and when stumps were drawn for the day his score was 200 not out. At sixpenoe per run he owed Lillywhite £5. The latter, however, delighted with his prowess, oancelled the bet The late Sir Andrew Clark used to watch Mr Gladstone very carefully. At such times ob the late Premier made a great speeoh, Sir Andrew used to sit, watoh in hand, to see that Mr Gladstone did not apeak longer than the limit prescribed by the physician. At Newcastle on one occasion the time set was one hour, and at the conclusion of the sixtieth minute Mr Gladstone tossed aside the last sheet of his notes, while : the physician looked triumphant. Bat in the warmth of his oratory Mr Gladstone went went on without notes for nearly half an hour longer, while Sir Andrew's look of triumph ohanged to one of mingled perplexity and amusement.