General News.

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 7159, 9 February 1901, Page 4

General News.

A very good story is going the round about the Duke of Devonshire. During his visit to the Paris Exhibition the Duke was seen admiring one of the pictures in the British section. He could not be torn away from it. " What an admirable picture," he said. " Excellent !" But some land official of course proceeded to help the Duke. Would not his Grace like to know the na.uxe pi the pietme'? But his Grace showed no interest in that. He did not care what was the name of the picture ; he was content to adinirs it. Btill the obsequious ollicial hunted the picture up in tho catalogue, and insisted upon stating the name. It turned out to be one of the Duke of Devonshire's own pictures from Ch^tswo.uch.

The str-ango ease of a soldier in ono of the Paris hospitals has completely upsot, ibo professional theory that when the temperature of the human body reuches 4?3deg, Cent, the patient has only a few hours to live. When the soldier was examined the day after his admission thr. house-surgeon was greatly surprised to find him alive with a temperature of 44 dog. Nexs day it had gone so high that a spsciai thermometer had to be procured iv order to register the incredible figure of ay deg. This extraordinary temperature remained fixed, and st.- anger still the pulse kept normal. The explanation of this case is said to be that tha soldier long ago was wounded by a shot in the mouth, and it is supposed that the ball lodged m the themie-centre of the brain thus causing tho unexampled heat of the body.

A rich story of War Office red-tapeism is told by one of Sir Evelyn Wood's intimates. When Sir Evelyn was a captain ia the 17th Lancers lie d«viaed an improved cavalry saddle, and sent it with an accompanying letter, to the War Othcc for inspection. The letter and parcel were politely acknowledged at tho time, aud there the matter rested—for nearly twenty years. Then, when Sir Evelyn jvas Quartermaster General of the Uoroes, he came by chance across a parcel addressed in his own handwritinß to the War Office. It was unopened, and on cutting the string he found his saddle!

A pretty story respecting the Queen's tost visit to Bristol, 69 years ago, is told on apparently good authority. With nor mother she entered a China shop in High street to buy a doll's dinner service. The one that captivated her faucy was too dear for her childkli purse, but in spite of early lessons of euonoiny she wished to purchase it. There upon a consultation took place between her and her mother, ending in a triumph for the young Princess, the Duchess of Kent consenting to lend her the amount wanted until her next allowance^ was due. Our future Queen carried off the precious dinnor set with greaS joy. The shop was kept by Miss Elizabeth Eing, aquaker lady, a relative of vrhQia is responsible iq? the itory,