WHO'S WHO?

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13725, 15 April 1908, Page 9

WHO'S WHO?

The Countess of Carlisle is one of the best women platform speakers, and sometimes takes her place in the pulpit. She has a private chapel at Naworth Castle, and occasionally conducts the whole service, sermon and all.

Mr. T. A. Edison once worked for five days and live nights without sleep. That was his longest spell of continuous work. On another occasion he worked four days and four nights. Mr. Edison believes that most people sleep too much. "Three or four hours are enough if it is good, solid sleep, not dreamingthat isn't sleep." There is no royal road to success in public life, says Lord Rosebery in the North American Review. What suits one will not suit another. But, putting politics and success out of the question, if a man wants to develop his faculties to the utmost advantage, and to combine the greatest amount of work with the- greatest amount of happiness, he cannot do better than imitate the methods of study, the economy of time, and the regularity, of life practised by the illustrious Mr. Gladstone. . Mr. Forbes Robertson has had some amusing experiences during his theatrical career, some of which have occurred in Romeo and Juliet. On one occasion, as he was about to descend through the window of Juliet's bedroom, he was horrified to find that the steps had been token away. It was a clear drop* of 12ft, but tfco actor had to go. At another time the steps by Juliei's tomb rolled away, and he was compelled to jump as gracefully as he could. But it was more awkward for Juliet, and to this day Mr. Robertson declares he does not know how she got down. The Chinese Emperor is far from being the indolent being that he is often represented to be. As a matter of fact, he rises soon after three o'clock every morning, and an hour later is ready to receive his Ministers. He is boyish in some of his ways, but on the whole is rather mournful; his disposition, which seems to have altered of recent years, being probably due to the narrow life he has to lead. He still preserves his liking for steam engines, which were one of the fascinations of his childhood days. As a lad he once horrified his attendants by rushing down into the engineroom of a small steamer, and fraternising with a grimy stoker. Sir Arthur Edward Vicars, whose name was prominently and freely mentioned in connection with the Dublin Crown jewels incident, has been the head of the Heralds' College of Ireland. He was the supreme Master of the Ceremonies at Dublin Castle at all State functions, and had complete control of the lists of private entree. In connection with this some amusing stories are told. Once a dowager of somewhat portentous mien was just in the act of obeisance when there was a rip, and the lady's train parted under the pressure of the feet of the next comer. But he was equal to the emergency. Lifting the damaged train, he hung 'it loosely over the lady's arm. enabling her to pass on in great dignity.