PERSONAL ITEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8928, 17 December 1887, Page 4 (Supplement)

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Mb. Charles Hengler, the well-known circus proprietor, was found dead on Oat. 3 at his residence in London. Edward Hmlan, the oarsman, is said' to have been trained by his young wife. He is not the first-, bridegroom who has had this experience. Mr. Fronde intends to publish the conceding volume of "Oceana," which is to be entitled "The English in the West Indies," early in January. Mr. Archibald Stirling-Maxwell, the late Sir William Stirling-Maxwell's second son, who shortly comes of age, will, it is said, on succeeding to the Keir property, drop the second name of Maxwell. A circular has been issued by the Admiralty which directs that once in each half year, whenever practicable, seamen shall have target exercise after dark with quick-firing machine guns. During the practice ships are to be under weigh. The exiled Arohduke John of Austria is in London incognito. He was recently proposed at the Jockey Club by two members who vouched for his position, bat who refused to give his name. Admission, under such circumstances, .was refused. Mr. Montagu Williams has relinquished the duties of police magistrate at Greenwioh and Woolwich, and has been appointed to Hammersmith Court. Mr. Paget is spoken of as the probable suocessor ot Mr. Williams at Greenwich and Woolwich.

Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice, Princess Henry of Battenberg, was delivered of a daughter at Balmoral, at a quarter before 4 o'clock, on the afternoon of October 24 Her Royal Highness and the infant Princess are reported to be doing very well. Mr. Gladstone has written a letter in reply to a question regarding tree education, in which he says:—"! wish to avoid entering into a new controversy. I am devoted to the settlement of one subject, on the progress of which all other subjects must depend." In announcing" the accouchmeut of the Princess Beatrice, the English Court Circular mentious that, this is the first instance of a member of the royal family being born in Scotland since the year 1600. A bonfire was lighted on Craig-Gowaa in the evening in honour of the birth. •

Tae Rev. John Jolly, 8.A., who for 17 years has beeu the pastor of the Geueral Baptist Church at Boston, has signified his intention of joining the Church of England. He was the representative Nonconformist minister selected to sit on the Boston Charity Trust, and was secretary to the local society of Nonconformist Ministers. Mr. Jolly is a candidate for ordination by the Bishop of Kipon. Mr. Frith says that Sydney Smith's reply to Landseer, when asked to sit for him, "Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?" is apocryphal. Mr. Frith adds that when the great animal painter was introduced to the King of Portugal, the latter, whose knowledge of English was strictly limited, welcomed him with, " I am de lighted to make your acquaintance, Mr. Landseer—l am bo fond of beasts !"

The monument erected to the late Professor Faweett, in Westminster Abbey is very beautiful. It has been placed against the south wall of the baptistry, and is iu tablet form, with figures in high relief, surmounted by the portrait-head in green bronze, set medallion wise upon a gold ground. Below the portrait there is a row of seven small figures in bronze, plated over with gold and silver each figure is m« ant to represent some characteristic of Mr. Fawcett. The central figure is Fortitude, shown as an armed warrior carrying a standard. Ou the left are Sympathy, Industry, aud Brotherhood ; on the right, Justice, Zeal, and Brotherhood again. The three most eligible men in England, in a matrimonial way, are the Duke of Norfolk, the Earl of Dudley, and the Duke of Portland. The latter Duke is the nephew of the late eccentric nobleman who erected a high-glass wall about his premises in Cavendish Square. He always had a handsome dinner served daily when ho was absent, the dishes being put upon the table and removed without having been tasted. Thus his servants were always expecting the Duke's arrival. He gave his butler instructions after each dinner, if he were in the house, to come to him and say, My lord, the dinner is served, and, thank God, the china is safe." His Grace had the finest collection of rare china in England. The Earl of Dudley is quite young, and is like his beautiful mother, the famous professional beauty.