Society Gossip.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 996, 3 April 1891, Page 7

Society Gossip.

(FROM THE SOCIETY BAPEBS )

Lady Dunlo has joined the ranks of literature. She is to be a contributor to the forthcoming number of The Man of the World. Her story will be entitled, ‘My Latest Tandem.’ _ . A duel has taken place between Count Count Kalnoky and the Marquis de Clermont Tonnerrie, in which the first named was wounded. A music hall star, who flashed her light in a fluctuating way on both parties concerned,, was the cause of this breach of the peace. Lord Jersey has not yet succeeded in anda tenant for Middleton park, his place in Oxfordshire; but the shooting over the estate of 5,000 acres has been let to Lord Chesham, the master of the Biceßter Hunt, for the whole term of the owner’s absence in The late Duke of Bedford’s personality is of vaat amount, and of this, it Is understood, his widow takes a very considerable share, and lady Ermj’ntrude Malet comes into a large fortune, in addition to the munificent sum. which was settled upon her at her marriage. . , The appointment of Senhor Don Lmz de Soveral to be Portuguese Minister in this country is certainly the best that oould have been made, and the most calculated to preserve a cordial agreement between the two countries. Don Luiz is one of the most popular diplomatists in Loudon He is one of those few diplomastista who have entered cordially into English, life, both in the clubs and in the salons. I hear that Lord Sheffield has m possible contemplation the idea of taking out a really good representative cricketing team on tour round the world, and, considering the sporting set of Colonial Governors just now in office, wbioh include Lord Jersey in Sydney, Earl of Onslow at New Zealand, and .Lords Harris and Wenlook in India, all sturdy supporters of the national game, the members of suoh a team, if it ever is un fait accompli would have a hearty weloome when visiting these several rulers, and also as a natural consequence, a right merry good time. The air is full of rumours. The wildest, peihaps, is that Lord Salisbury, and Mr Balfour have arranged a big surprise, which is to assume the form of an Irish Local Government Bill so comprehensive m its scope that it is calculated to take the wind out of Mr Gladstone’s Home Rule sails. Another leading card which Ministers hope to play is a financial one ; but here it is well not to be too sanguine. Even though as he hopes, Mr Goscben finds himself in possesion of a surplus of a cool three millions, we know by the bitter experience of past sessions that he has an unfortunate knack of If we are to have a repetition of ‘ Currants, the surplus might just as well be three hundred thousand as three millions, for all that the general taxpayer is likely to benefit by it. Still, the government have a fairly clear field ; and, as it seems to be practically settled that there is to be no dissolution this year, they ought, they ought, with the time at their disposal, to give a good legislative account of themselves before the prorogation in August. , . . , Mr H. J. Wrixon of Victoria is reported by a London evening contemporary to be ereatly concerned becaußea distinct Australian accent is manifesting itself at the Antipodes, as he thinks that his own Irish brogue — * which after a lifetime’s absence from Ireland is still remarkably pronounced ’ —and all other kinds of brogues to be met with in Australia should be religiously preserved. It would be rather strange if the ex-Attoruey-General harboured any auoh canons notion, especially as be is fully acquainted with all the conditions under which the linguistic evolution is going on in the Colonies. . . . - , Apparently the Admiralty are not satisfied with the knowledge of languages possessed by their officers, since they think it necessary to offer prizes to competent interpreters of French, German, or Italian, varying in value from £2O downwards. At present there are more naval men qualified m Hindustani than in French, and ability to speak one or more European languages is professed by only about thirty officers. For the numerous interpreters of the Aryan tongues of course the dulness of the long days spent on the East Indian station is to be thanked. On stations nearer home amusements are too numerous to permit of officers doing much study. _ _ Many sportsmen will hear with a paug of regret that Pit Place, Epsom, has been turned into a club. Pit Place was one of the historical houses of Surrey. It was said to have been built by George the Fourth for Mrs Fitz Herbert, and one of the large bedrooms was always spoken of as the ‘royal’ room. Later on it.came into the possession of Lord Foley, who lost it at cards to the • wicked ’ Lord Lyttelton. He lived in it, saw a ghost in it, which predicted the day and hour of bis death, gave a party on the date to celebrate the event, and, not knowing that his friends had pat the clocks on to ease his mind, exclaimed at eleven, *1 have dished the ghost now,’ and so went to bed ; but at midnight those who atill sat on to revel heard a scream and a heavy fall, and on rushing upstairs found the unfortunate nobleman dead, exactly as the ghost had predicted. I bear that Mandalay is likely to soon cease to be the headquarters of the army in Burma. The health of the troops stationed in the capital has never been satisfactory, and long ago Brigadier-General Wolseley recommended Shwebo, which is one of the healthiest stations in Upper Burma. The only difficulty,: that of scarcity of water, is about to be removed by the construction of a canal, so that the matter may be regarded as practically settled