SIB D. WALLACE. AND THE VOYAGE OF THE OPHIR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11854, 4 January 1902, Page 5 (Supplement)

SIB D. WALLACE. AND THE VOYAGE OF THE OPHIR.

During their epoch-making voyage on the Ophir the Duke and Duchess; of Cornwall enjoyed the great advantage of having with them, as adviser in case of need, Sir Donald Mackenzie Wallace. He went at the King's request, and has performed his delicate task with the same ability and tact as distinguished him when acting in a similiar capacity towards ; the ■ present Tsar,rf- when, as Tsarevitch,.'_ ho visited India and Ceylon. Sir Donald is in many ways a very notable contemporary figure. Most of the years of his early manhood were spent in travel and study, at Glasgow and Edinburgh, to begin with, and then in France and Germany. In Paris he studied '•; law, and ; completed his studies at the Universities of Berlin and Heidelberg. He had become an omnivorous reader, and, being possessed of a splendid memory, he gradually grew to be known for his great erudition. His chance presently came. A friend invited him to St. Petersburg, with the, result that Mr. Wallace stayed in the '■; country several years, travelling all over it, and wrote his famous standard work, "Russia." ' •'

Owing to the :■: success of s " Russia" be commenced a connection with the Times as correspondent at Constantinople, which subsequently .1 led -, to his ; appointment as its foreign editor. '-/At Constantinople he made the acquaintance of Lord ; Duii'erin, v and in 1884 became Private Secretary to the Viceroy of India. Sir I Donald - greatly distinguished himself in that post, and Lord Dufferiu always attributed his successful tenure of office to his long-headed subordinate. Sir Donald Wallace is much liked, and respected by the King for . his charming manners and his well-informed and interesting conversation. I hear, on good authority, that high honours will bo shortly conferred on him, to mark the Boy '■■ favour, ■? and /that it is * Sir, Donald Mackenzie Wallace who has ; been entrusted with the. task of putting the voyage of the Ophir on record. If so, no better writer.-.-, could have been chosen. The book' will appeal" in a month or two.—The Free Lance..