ITEMS OF SOCIAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14157, 4 September 1909, Page 6 (Supplement)

ITEMS OF SOCIAL NEWS.

£raoM the socrarr PAPERS.]

Among the fifteen thousand roubles worth of presents which the Czarewitch has sent, to the baby Emperor of China is a toy railway, with lines five-eighths of a. mile long,; and stations, trucks, trolleys, and all complete—lie most perfect toy railway, it is said, that has ever been scon outside of -New York.

Miss Dorothy Drew, the pretty and muchpetted granddaughter of the late Mr. Gladstone, has had the worst possible luck that can befad a girl in her first season. Bronchial pneumonia gripped her some time ago, and she is laid up at Hawarden. For a time considerable anxiety was felt, but grave danger appears to be over, though the utmost care must still be exercised.

Prince Edward of Wales took part in two events of an assault-at-arms at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, recently. He was one of a number of cadets who presented a novel tableau representing the Prince of Wales' feathers. At a word the cadets ran to their allotted positions, and in a trice they had formed themselves into a living replica of the branching feathers. The Prince laughed merrily at the cheers which applauded this evolution. In the musical parade Prince Edward also participated. A picture of boyish good health, he marched shoulder to shoulder with bis brother cadets through the various movement's.

News comes from America of the engagement of Miss May Sutton, the champion tennis player. Although she has lived nearly all her life in the States, Miss Sutton was horn in Plymouth, and was quite a girl when she beat all comers at her favourite game. Curiously enough, she was not at all attracted to tennis when she first tried to play it, and her sisters, who taught her how to use a racquet, gave her up in despair. After a few games, however, she soon showed her prowess, and her playing at Wimbledon in 1905 and 1907 surprised everyone, the most expert players being astounded at her success'. Miss Sutton by no means confines herself to contesting players of her own sex ; she has beaten some of the best men players in America. She believes that the woman would-be tennis champion can find no better opponent than a first-class male player who does his best to beat her at the nets.

The Countess of Northbrook, who is this season taking out two charming daughters, was Miss Florence Eyre Coote, and when very young married the late Sir Robert Abercromby, a Scottish baronet possessed of lands, money, and a long pedigree. After uome years of wedded life the became a widow in 1895, and some four years later took as her second husband .Lord Northbrook, who was then Lord Baring. Lady Northbrook's elder daughter, Miss Nina Abercromby, has been out several seasons, but Miss Myrtle Abercromby is one of this year's debutantes. Both are pretty and popular girls, who have« inherited a , large* share of .the beauty for which Lady Northbrook has been so remarkable. She, though past, her ■ first youth, is still exceedingly attractive, with her tall, graceful figure, fair complexion, and wealth of fluffy golden hair. She. is an amiable, home-loving woman, very fond of her children, one of whom is thatiyery eligible young bachelor, Sir George''Aberc-romby. - » f

A striking "feature amongst the guests at the Royal Society's luncheon to lieutenant Ehackleton,lwas Prince Roland Bonaparte, who came from Paris to do honour to the hero of the day. Prince Roland Bonaparte has distinguished himself both in letters and in science. He has travelled much, and has devoted himself to the study of geology, zoology, botany, and in particular anthropology. Nearly a-quarter of a century has elapsed since he published his first' work on " The Inhabitants of Surinam," which was laid before the French Geographical Society by the celebrated De Quatrefages. As a result of a journey to the cradle-of the Bonapartes, he produced " Une Excursion en Corse," treating of the anthropology, geology, and botany of Corsica.'' He travelled, »n an exploring expedition,' through North America, Canada, and Mexico, studying the Indian races. In 1907 he was admitted to membership of the Academie des Sciences. Now he is' president of the French Geographical Society, in which capacity he was invited to the festive gathering at the Royal Society's Club. But for indisposition Prince Roland would have presided at the Aeronautical Conference, which was held in London last January.

Not many people are aware that the huge vaults that -% extend under practically the whole of St. James*' Palace are utilised for the storage of the wine required for the various Royal residences, and there is a very complete bottling establishment there. The still wines lor the King's table," such as hock, chablis, port, and claret, are all bought in bulk, and after being allowed to mature properly are bottled there, and stored away until they are required: In addition to Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and Sandringham, bottling takes place here for Marlborough House, Clarence House, and other residences of the different members of the Royal family. Large purchases of wine are made every year as opportunity offers, and experts are constantly employed in travelling about the vineyards of the Continent seeking suitable vintages. It will be gratifying to colonial cousins to learn that of recent years both the King and Queen have shown an increasing liking for the light wines of Australia, and a large stock of these wires is now maintained at St. James' Palace. All the wines bottled carry plain white labels with the name of the wine and the vintage'on them in gold letters, surmounted by the Royal crown.

The announcement that Countess Elizabeth Seefried has left her homo in Austria to visit her parents, Prince and Princess Leopold of Bavaria, at Munich, reveals the happy conclusion of a Royal romance. Princess Elizabeth of Bavaria was 19 years old when she fell in love with Baron Otto von Seefried, a- young lieutenant in a.Bavarian regiment. Princess Elizabeth, like ' all members of the Bavarian Royal family, was a Roman Catholic, and Baron Seefried, apart from being her inferior in birth, was a Protestant. When Princess Elizabeth told her parents the desired to many the young baron, they objected, and forbade all further intercourse between the young couple. On December 2, 1893, Princess Elizabeth fled from the Royal palace, where she lived with her parents, during the night, and met Baron Seefried, who was awaiting her, and eloped with him, On the following day they -were married at Genoa. The Bavarian Government immediate**' dismissed Baron Seefried the army, and issued a warrant against him on the charge of abducting the Princess of a Royal house. In those circumstances the young Princess, after finishing her honeymoon, went to Vienna to enlist, the sympathies < f her grandfather, the" Emperor Francis Joseph, her mother being the Emperor's eldest daughter. Baron Seefried was not only a. fugitive from justice in Bavaria, but was also penniless, so that the young couple, were entirely without means. . Early one morning they drove up to the Imperial palace in Vienna. Baron Seefried remained in the cab while the Princess Elizabeth entered the palace, and threw herself on her knees before the Emperor. Trie ageii and kindly Emperor gave Baron Seefried a, position as officer in an Austrian regiment, has .. granted the young couple an allowance. Finding that the pair lived happily together, the Emperor raised Baron Seefried \'> the rank of count, and bestowed an estate in Moravia on him and Ids wife. His Majesty also repeatedly interceded at Munich to bring about, a- reconciliation >■ i!:h the parents of the Princess, who had refuted to have anything to do with her, and now his efforts have been successful