PEOPLE WE READ ABOUT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 3572, 26 October 1898, Page 1 (Supplement)

PEOPLE WE READ ABOUT.

The Czar of Russia, so the story runs, has among his household a “ double,’’ singularly like him in appearance, who shows himself at the windows of railway carriages and the like when his Majesty does not wish to disturb himself.

Th>3 youthful Crown Prince of Germany even.jn his nursery days showed a marked promise in drawing, which has been carefully fostered, until today he seems likely to eclipse his gr. at-biunfs, Princess Beatrice and Louise, with pencil and brush. He is also a skilful player cn the violin, and devotes an hoar a day to hard practice.

One of the most remarkable octo genarians living is Mr Henry Russell, who seems almost as vigorous now as when his songs roused two continents to enthusiasm sixty years ago. Had be been less of a musician and more of a business man be might have made a forlune out of a quarter of the 800 songs ha has given t.o the world. As it is, he recalls with a sigh that his two most popular songs, “ Cheer, Boys, Cheer ! ” and “ There’s a Good Time Coming, Boys,” added only a five-pound note to his exchequer.

The Countess of Warwick is, perhaps, the most versatile of all society women, as she is one of the most imposing and charming. She is, indeed, considered by many competent judges to be the most perfect example of the grande dame in England. In spite of this reputation the “ goldenhaired Countess ” is proud to see her name over a shop in Bond street, in which are exhibited dainty examples of needlework from her school in Essex. The Countess is also an author of some pretensions and an authority on gardening; while in all outdoor exercises she has few rivals among her sex, whether in following the hounds, driving tandem or four in-hand, or riding a bicycle.

Admiral Dewey, who is a Yankee to the backbone, having been born in Vermont, was unfortunate in his love affair. He was thrown over for a Spanish Count bearing the name of Brunotti. The lady was Miss Lowery of Washington. At the time of tho rivalry Dewey was a not over-pro-minent naval 'officer, and the future count was only an attachd of the Spanish Legal ion—and both were equally distasteful to the matrimonial plana old Archibald Lowery hud hatched for his daughter. It was to tho account of filial duty the lady charged her refusal of the honour tho American officer offered. Filial duly also interfered with Brunetti, but she waited for him twelve or fifteen years, until he became Count d’Aroos and Minister to Mexico. Then the father relented, and there was a gorgeous wedding.

Field-Marshal Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar is probably the most English of German Princes, and has fought for us so long that it is difficult to realise that he is not one of us. More than forty years ago he was fighting with our men in the trenches before Sebastopol, where he was seriously wounded; and some years earlier he had wooed and won his wife Lady Auguste Gordon-Lennox, the sister of the present Duke of Richmond and Gordon.

Sir Algernon West, although but sixty-six years old, probably froms a more interesting link with the past than anyone in England ; and is the only man living who can claim to have run a race with the Duke of Wellington. This match took place when Sir Algernon was a boy of six, and the “ Iron Duke ” was in his seventieth year; and the course was from the church at Walraer to the castle. Sir Algernon has known intimately almost every man of his time who has helped to make English history; but none to whom he so loyally attached himself as Mr Gladstone, whose private secretary he was.

The Count of Turin, who is a bachelor, is but two removes from the I tali in throne. A cousin and a brother who precede him in the succession are both childless. The House of Savoy,-to which the Count belongs is the oldest reigning family in Europe, Its family-tree bears the blazonry of forty kings.