PERSONAL ITEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12266, 9 May 1903, Page 4 (Supplement)

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Bjornsen, tie great Norwegian poet and dramatist, has always been an enthusiastic lover of country life, and if fate had not made a genius of him he would certainly have asked nothing better of her than to be a farmer. Even as it is, he is more noted among his rustic neighbours as a breeder of fine horses and cattle than a's a writer of immortal works, and it is said that he takes a great deal more pride in his farm machinery and stables than in his greatest dramas.

Mrs. Roosevelt, the wife of the President of the United States, is the " first lady of the land," a kind of an uncrowned Queen reigning over a democratic Court, talcing the lead in all social affairs. Her position is no sinecure ; so arduous are her official duties that Mrs. Roosevelt has already succumbed to the strain, and is now taking a much-needed rest. Under the Roosevelt regime the White House has become the centre of social gaiety. Mrs. Roosevelt is a capable and charming hostess, having travelled extensively, and is a good talker. Her receptions and social gatherings are much appreciated. Mrs. Roosevelt is the President's second wife, and has two boys and a girl of her own, besides her stepdaughter.

Mr. Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, the member for Oldham, is the oldest"son of tho late Lord Randolph Churchill. The son resembles his father in many ways, not the least in his nervous, excitable nature and restless energy of mind. His father was dark; the son has reddish hair and a pallid face. He has less dash and go than his father. Mr. Churchill, who is now 28 years of age, was educated at Harrow and Sandhurst, and entered the army in 1895. He served with the Spanish forces in Cuba, and with expeditions in South Africa, and acted as correspondent to the Morning Post, when he was taken prisoner, but escaped. Mr. Churchill has been present at several actions. He has already made himself felt in the House, and is likely to become the leader of another Fourth Party.

Mr. George Bernard Shaw, whose play "Arms and the Man," has been prohibited by the authorities in Austria on account of its " dangerous and revolutionary tendencies," received his education at the Wesleyan Methodist school in Dublin. He came to London at the age of 20, and for some years failed to obtain literary recognition. For four years—from 1886 till 1890—he was art critic to the World, and for one year to Truth, and other journals. He is the author of .several plays. " Widowers' Houses" and his " Arms and the Man" both attracted much attention when produced on the stage in 1894. His literary output be*an with four novels. Mr. Shaw has actively identified himself with Socialism, and is one of the founders of the Fabian Society. He was born in Dublin on July 26, 1856*

_ Of Lord Young, who has just entered on his thirtieth yeai as a Scottish judge, many stories are told, for his" lordship is renowned for his pawky humour. A well-known journalist tells how ho once met Lord Young in the streets of Edinburgh during the do" days, and greeted him with, "Halloa, I thought all decent people were out of town !" "Well," said Lord Young dryly, " have vou seen anything to make you alter your opinion? I haven't!" It was he who described a Scottish millionaire's legacy of £250,000 to the Church as "the heaviest insurance against fire on record," to which an insurance manager present replied, "Possibly, my lord, but your lordship will admit that cases occur where the premium scarcely covers the risk." His lordship has the reputation of being the strongest criminal judge hi Scotland, and he is held in great awe byevil doers. On one occasion, while on circuit in Glasgow, two men were brought before him on a serious charge, and he was already seated on the Bench when the prisoners entered the dock from the cells below. The first man up glanced at the Bench, and then turned and shouted to his partner in a despairing wail, " Michty God! It's Young'" It recalls the three-card trick man's cry of horror when he tried to wake a sleeping passenger in the train who sat with a handkerchief over his face. The handkerchief was removed, and the sharper jumped back with "The judge, by G-!" It was Mr. Justice Hawkins, and they had met before!