PERSONAL ITEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7341, 30 May 1885, Page 4 (Supplement)

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Mr. Stanlkt will, the Monvement Geograpbique of Brussels states, succeed Sir Francis de Wiuson as Governor-General of the Congo State. Mr, Chas. Wyndham, the actor, has -written to the Daily Telegraph, enclosing, a cheque for onebundred pounds, to inaugurate the proposed fund for soldiers' wives, and promising a further subscription of a hundred .pounds for each ten thousand pounds raised. In au interesting sketch of " Joseph Cook in his Study," Mrs. Sarah K. Bolton says that the Bible which he uses daily has six parallel columns, in u many languages. He has no time for frivolous or idle conversation; he is for ever learning, for ever giving out his knowledge. The Primate of Hungary, Cardinal Simor, has dedicated a princely gift of £20,000 to the establishment of an orphan asylum at Gran, his diocesan residence, and £20 000 towards the restoration and completion of the beautiful Basiliea of Gran, begun in 1821 by Cardinal Rudnay. Lord Charles Bereaford is as simple, minded as he is gallant, and accepts all perils as matters of course. When he returned to Gubat, after rescuing Sir Charles Wilson's party, to effect which feat he had to repair his boiler under the close and heavy fire of the enemy, he telegraphed to his wife; " Back all right. All jolly." , The executive committee appointed in connection with the proposed memorial to the late Mr. Fawcett have decided to recommend to the general committee that the funds subscribed »hould be devoted to the development of the Royal Normal College for the Blind at Norwood, an institution in which the late Postmaster-General took special interest. The death is announced of Mr. John Kinir, " the first man who signed the teetotal pledge in England," and one of the "seven men of Preston." Mr. King died at the age of ninety. The pledge which Mr. King was the first to sign in 1832. at the suggestion of Mr. Liveseyj ran : "Wβ agree to abstain from all liquors of an intoxicating quality, whether ale, porter, wine, or ardent spirits, except as medicines." John King was the only surviving member of the seven men who B'gned this pledge; It is interesting to know what ia the penalty exacted from a Freemason who betrays the secrets of his order. M. Andrieux, late Prefect of Police, has beeu expelled from the Lyons "Lodge of Pi-rfect Silence" for making too free with Masonic mysteries ; and, by way of adding insult to injury, he announced that by their laws the lodge are bound to have his throat cut, his body disembowelled, and his mutilated remains laid out on the seashore at low water. M. Andrieux is awaiting the. execution of this sentence .with philosophical resignation. It ie reported by a trustworthy authority in Germany that the Government at Berlin and the Duke of Cumberland are on the point of coming to an understanding, thanks mainly to the active efforts to the Emperor of Russia and the King of Denmark, supported by the good offices of the Emperor of Austria. It is understood that the succession to the throne of Brunswick is to be secured for Prince George William of Hanover, the eldest son of the Duke and Duchese of Cumberland, -who is now in his fifth year. The private fortune of the late Kintr of Hanover, amounting to over £3,000,000 sterling, which was seized in 1866, is to be restored to his family, and the Duke is to get all the property which was left him by the late Duke of Brunswick.

Here is an exquisite story about Mr. Greville, the late clerk to the Privy Council, whioh has not yet got into print. Greville was persuaded, when he was over sixty years of age, to attend a spiritualistic seance. Foster, the presiding medium, was in great form, and the revelations were astounding. Greville sat silent, and his aged, wizened face was emotionless as a mask. Suddenly the medium grew excited, and said to the old gentleman, " A female form is bending over you." "Oh! the extraordinary likeness," Greville sighed. " She lifts her hands to bless you." Grevillo sighed again. "It is your mother." " Ah, poor thiDg," said Greville, "I am glad." "She iimiles. She says all is well with her." Greville sighed again, and said, " I'm delighted." " She aays she will see you soon. You are old, and you most meet her before long." Then Greville quietly observed, "That's very torue. I'm going to take tea with her at five o'clock this evening." Tableau 1 His mother was then, though ninety years old, bale and vigorous.