PERSONAL ITEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7824, 18 December 1886, Page 4 (Supplement)

PERSONAL ITEMS.

» The wife of Sir William Vernon Haroourt is a daughter of Motley, the eminent historian. ■ : •:•■•• ' __ Nature regrets to learn that Baron Von Mueller retires from the directorship of the Melbourne Botanic harden. Application has been made to a London Court to imprison Hyndman, the Socialist leader, for non-payment of debts. The Lady Mayoress of London for 1887 ie a remarkably fine woman, tall and dark, with a youthful and commanding appearanoe, The farmers in the Cape Colony propoee to send the Queen a robe, dolman, and fan composed of ostrich feathers, as a Jubilee present. Berry, the public executioner, is, it is stated, collecting portraits of all persons who have suffered the lant penalty of the law. He promises a present in return. It is ennounoed that Mr. Beavor-Webb, the English yaohtsman, is under engagement of marriage to Miss Alice May, daughter of Dr. Frederick May, of Washington. Mrs. Charles Turner, widow of a late member for Liverpool, has given £20,000 for creating a pension fund for aged and invalid incumbents in the Liverpool diocese. Truth says that Sir John HenneHsy'e opponent, Mr. Clifford Lloyd, is " wanted" in England, for a gentleman has made him a " 00." in a divorce suit, and asks for £5000 damages. Philadelphia Inquirer: Jefferson Davis' latest ' vindication , tills two and a-half columns of small type. As might be supposed, it falls several columns short of being conclusive."

The marriage of the Earl of Hopetoun and the Hon. Hersoy Alice Dβ Moleyns, third daughter of Lord and Lndy Ventry, took place at All Saints' Churoh, Ennismore Gardeus, on November 1. Canon Liddou has given £100 to provide some ornament for the cathedral ohurch of St. Mary, Edinburgh, as an expression of his appreciation of the honour done him by the olergy of the diooese in offeriug him the Bishopric. Mr. Gladstone was felling a tree in Hawarden Park on October 23, when a waep or some other stingiug insect stung him upon his right eyelid. A swelling ensued, and the right hon. gentleman had to remain indoors for a few days. Lady Burdett-Coutta has just purchased from a Birmingham curio dealer a rare trio of portraits of Mre. Keeley in several of her most popular characters. It is well known that her Ladyship has a penohant for theso souvenirs of bygone histrionio celebrities. The fund for the memorial to the late Lord Farnborongh, better known as Sir Thomas Erskine May, is now closed. It is proposed to erect a stained glasa window in St. Margaret's Church, Westminster, and to plaoe a bust of hie Lordship in the library of the House of Commons.

Tho Pope, aocording to the Frankfort Gazette, has refused to permit the grave of Abbe Franz Liszt to receive any ornament except an unpainted wooden croea, bearing only the uamo of the deoeaeed and the words, " Orate, pro me." This, according to Catholic obser«ance, means the refusal of full honours to the ashcß of the illustrious musician. Truth hears that the Dowager-Duchess of Atholo contemplates an early resignation of her poat as ladyiu-waiting to the Queen, which she has Held for thirty-two yenre. The Ducheas would have resigned before this but for the Queen's earnest wiak to retain her in the Household, as she is a great favourite with Her Majesty, and one of her most trusted friendn. Lord Randolph Churchill and Mr. Lowe are tho latest accessions to the turf. The Chancellor of the Exchequer's few horses will be trained in the eame stable as the Lord Privy Seal's aud the Master of the Buckhounds' ; and Mr. Lowe (nn American) has joined the Kingsclero stable. Hβ is reported to have offered £8000 for the «• crack" Irishbred two-year-old. The Baron. The Duke of Connaught'e stud has been sold at Tattersall's, and excellent prices were realised. Snow flake, a very charming grey pony, .was boaght for 230 guineas for tho Duchess of Montroso. The pair of cobs, which were much admired, went to Major Eagerton at 315 guineas. Of the horses, Mr, Angerotein gave 160 guineas for Sweetheart, and 115 guineas for Mason, while Cornet brought 135 guineas. The whole lot fetched thoir full value.