People We Read About.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 358, 6 November 1897, Page 4

People We Read About.

Bechnd Effendi, who is regarded as Abdul Haaiid'B probable heir, is the owner of something that is exceedingly rare among Turks — a head of red hair. Should he succeed to the throne now occupied by his brother, it is said that he will be obliged to dye his sandy locks jet black. He is described as genial, well educated, and an excellent 'performer on the piano. Max Nordau, the famous author of " Degeneration," among his otlier strange hobbies, is a zealous advocate of the movement for bringing back the Jewish race to Palestine. In a few days he will take part in the great meeting in Switzerland, where some 250 Jewish delegates will resolve themselves into a committee of ways and means. Few people are aware that Nordou is the son of a very distinguished Hebraist, and no man has more keen racial pride and feeling, and this in spite of the fact that he is not what is generally called an orthodox Jew. "When Mr Cecil Rhodes was a very young man, a malicious friend drew upon him the attention of a roomful of fashionable dames and misses by pointing him out as "The boy who meant to bean African king some day." As is wellknown, young Rhodes in boyhood cherished ambitions, many of which he has ■since realised. A laugh was raised at his expense on this occasion ; but, though blushing painfully, he found courage to answer, " I guess your relatives would be glad to ship you off there. If ever I go to Africa it will be by my own choice I" The boyish quarrel amused the company vastly, but Rhodes was proved right. His enemy was " shipped off " to Africa. They met,and Rhodes asked, "Come for a holiday trip ?" Years ltttor the foe of his boyhood asked him to help him with money to pay his passage back to England, as he had failed hopelessly out there. " Nonsense, man," was the answer. " Make up you mind to be a success for the future, and I'll stick'to .you." The result was that the " enemy " made a fortune.