HERE AND THERE

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4640, 19 April 1902, Page 5 (Supplement)

HERE AND THERE

His Majesty Kin<j Edward, it is announced, has decided to make a yachting tour of the British coaslw in the spring, instead of paying Ids usual visit to tho Continent.

An instance of Queen Alexandra’s kindliness is reported. A father who was troubled about a sou threatened with consumption, and quite unable to ,*siy the cost of his maintenance in a ininatorinm, appealed as a last resource to the Queen, and laid the case before her. Within a few nays came tho reply that the lad was to go to the Ventnor Homo for Consumptives, and that all his expenses there would bo defrayed by tho Queen.

Some speculation exists as to Hie renovation of tho Coronation chair. Before the Coronation of Queen Victoria I hero was at: expressed wish that this chair should be restored to something like its pristine beauty; and hope again prevails that the present year may see something done. In the Jubilee year the modern lions were freshly guilt, nut nmeb more might bo done for ’be Coronation. This chair has suffered so much from mutilation that one wishes Edward I. had carried out his original idea and made it of bronze. It is improbable that, a schoolboy would then have born able to carve on it tho legend, “P. Abbott slept in this chair, July, 1800.”

By taking tho gilt off officers’ uni'ornis recently it seemed that a conudorablo saving was being made by tho War Office in favour of men of small means, who desired to adopt tho army ns a profession. That was how tho reform .appeared to bo initiated. Tho men in tho army, and especially those who groan under tho exactions of its private etiquette, describe the changes as being of little value in tho direction of economy. An officer of an infantry regiment, whoso opinion was asked, replied that tho now rules might save him .CIO or £l2 if ho were only about to enter tho service, but that they wore practically no present relief to him. "IE I wero going into the cavalry,” ho said, “the saving on the initial cost would perhaps be a little more. No poor man, however, thinks of joining tho cavalry just now. It is not tho cost of his uniform that dorcrs him : it is tho heavy incidental expenses which appear to ho inseparable from life in a crack cavalry corps. It the Government wish to do any good, lot thorn begin tiioro.” According to military tailors, who proservo a jaunty cheerfulness on tho subject, the abolition of gold lace is the only substantial economy possible under tho now sumptuary regulations. Tho output of an officer on joining an infantry regiment will still cost from .£6O to £BO. The former sum is Tho “irreducible minimum.”

There is a wonderful jeweller in Paris who comes to London to see his clients about (bo resetting of their jewellery which is being made ready for the Coronation and other festivities of “his groat year. His forte is the arrangement of diamonds and other stones so that tho sotting docs not show, and tho gems lie upon tho throat or sparkle in tho hair as if cast there haphazard. Wreaths of flowers ho is making a special point of, and if it be true that Queen Alexandra is not going to insist iipon tho Court plumes of full dresses being worn so that they are visible from tho front, which is tho existing regulation, tho concession will bo found agreeable to those who coil their hair lou r on tho napo of tho nock and wear wreaths of jewels on tho crown of tho head; for then tho plumes may bo worn just above tho coil, or evon drooping behind tho left ear, and tho veil bo made a separate attraction. * * * *

The Gainsborough picture, which was stolon in 1870 and not recovered until about a year ago, does not seem to have done tho thief much good. Ho died in London a fow days ago. Ho went by tho name of “Adam Worth,” but possibly a sense of incongruity caused him to alternate it with that of “Harry Raymond.” The condensed history of the theft is that Agnew, tho picture dealer, bought the famous “Duchess” for 10.000 guineas, and two months later Worth, with a confederate, got into tho dealer’s gallery at night, and, cutting tho picture from tho frame, took it on board his yacht, and thence to Paris and to America. For 25 years it was concealed, but a man on his deathbed communicated such information to a detective as led to its recovery last March, after much negotiation. Worth made terms for his children’s benefit; certainly his own enjoyment of tho result was short. ,>

Tho “Daily Telegraph” some time ago printed a letter from a correspondent who urged that much of tho money that annually goes to foreign countries for eggs might bo retained if people who have any spare space in their backyards would go into the poultry business on a small scale. Ho showed that eggs cost him a farthing each. Other correspondents followed, giving their balance sheets, and putting down tho cost per egg at anything from £4 downwards. The question, being of national importance, is allowed to take up much room in tho paper, and already some people are beginning to fear that the lively din of the early morning cock, as he scatters tho thin rear of darkness, will become general. To allay anxiety an export states that if tho birds’ perch be placed near the roof of his shed so that ho cannot stand upright ho will not trouble tho sleepers, as he will crow only when stretched to full height. Such a trifle as cock-crowing is more easily got over, say tho enthusiasts, and they aro making an attempt to stop some of the outgoing millions sterling which find their way into Continental pockets.

Radica and Doodica, Indian twins, of 0 14 years of ago, who wore joined by a fibrous tissue—as woro the famous Siamese twins—were on Sunday separated by Dr. Doyen; tho French surgeon, as one was likely to die of consumption, and the only chance of tho other’s life lay in tho severance. Tho kinetoscope was ■ employed during the process. Though it was thought that no intercommunicating blood vessels existed, three largo arteries were found. There was partial collapse after the operation (which lasted 10 minutes, with another 10 for dressing tho wounds—2o in all), but latest news states that both sufferers aro much hotter and are taking food. It is interesting to recall that tho Siamese brothers lived to bo over sl, married, and each became tho fa,hor of nine children. Tho death of one resulted in fatal blood poisoning to tho survivor. Tho first case on record of a similar operation was performed in 168 D; another was that in 1866 of twin daughters of a Dr. Boehm, who shortly after their birth operated on them himself, one child surviving. In 1882 two Swiss children were severed, and both died; and in 1900 a Parisian doctor separated two Brazilian girls, aged seven*, and oner died.

It has been generally thought that two persons must bo both present at tho same time, and in the presence of each other they must state their willingness to he married, and sign the necessary documents. Onr ago of progress finds that even this apparently indispensable necessity is capable of being got over. In tho case of Miss Nellie Stone and Mr Duncan, of Ottawa, their union was legalised hy tho lady, who was in quarantine for smallpox, speaking into a phonograph, and, the bridegroom adding ids declaration at a later date and in another place. As witnesses were present on each occasion tho American lawyers affirm that tho marriage is logal ; ,

Tho “Daily News” has again changed hands, and Mr George Cadbury, tho co-coa-maker, of Birmingham, has taken over tho whole concern from tho company of former owners, at the purchase price of £135,000. The pro-Boer policy will bo continued, and Mr Cadbury will havo tho assistance of Mr George Ritzema, of tho “Northern Daily Telegraph,” as manager, and Mr A. G. Gardiner, former assistant editor of that paper, as editor. Mr D. Edwards, tho ox-manag-ing director, receives £s.ooo—partly as a gift and partly to discharge tho obligation to him. Particular attention will bo paid to social reform, and betting and turf nows will not bo published, though manly sports and pastimes will continue to bo reported. Mr Cadbury will thus bavo an absolutely free hand. Tho development of his idea of a model newspaper will bo watched with interest. * * ,

On tho Arabian coast, between Ras-ol-liatl and Muscat, there havo recently been discovered valuable deposits of coal. The district is less than six miles distant from Knor Gorama, a deep inlet of tho sea. where ships of heavy draught could anchor easily. It is considered not improbable that those deposits may bo continued on tho African side of tho coast, particularly in tho Italian region. • » • •

A poor woman who kept a small shop in a northern village, and who was troubled with a husband who could scarcely bo considered a credit to the family, ono day found herself a -widow through the sudden demise of her spouse. A lady, who frequently mado ■small purchases at tho shop, called to soo her and offer her sympathy, though well knowing that tho man’s death must in a certain sense come as a relief, as tho wife had often suffered from his violence. Sbo was not, however, quite prepared for tho stoical way in which tho wife took her bereavement. “I am sure, Mrs G , you must miss your husband,” said tho lady. “Well, mum,” was tho widow’s reply, “it do seem queer to go into the shop and find something in the till!” 9 ,

Mr A. E. H. Anson, writing to the leading newspapers in London, points out a strange parallelism between the action of the Dutch Government in regard to the Achin war and of tho British Government in tho matter of proffered Dutch intervention in tho contest now proceeding. As long ago as May .30, 1875, two years or so after tho beginning of tho A Chinese struggle, this communication w*as addressed to Groat Britain by tho Netherlands India authorities in'rcply to an offer to facilitate negotiations for tho restoration of peace: —“Government not inclined to accept any intervention whatever for negotiating with tho chiefs in Achin. In case they wish to submit they must address themselves to tho commander in Achin. Communicate this telegram to Lieuten-ant-Governor of Ponang, adding that tho Governor-General appreciates his endeavour for assisting to bring the war to an end, but is convinced that tho best way to attain this end is to adhere to tho above principle.” What is sauce for the British goose Mr Anson evidently thinks, is also sauco for tho Dutch gander. *****

The bank clerks of England, a much starved and oppressed race, who number about 200,000. aro forming themselves into a trade union. A chief cashier gets in some cases only £9O a year, in others only £l2O. A general demand for higher wages is to be made. * * # * w

Tho amendments to tho procedure rules in the House of Commons have given rise to lively debate. Mr Macneil moved to exclude any director in a public company from eligibility for tho position of Deputy Chairman and urged that an order from the chair should never become “tho grunt of a guineapig but Mr Balfour retorted that he had directors on the brain, and added that Caesar’s wife, to whom Mr Macneill had alluded, -would not have been above suspicion had she lived in the days of tho hon. member. The proposition was lost. Heated discussion has taken place over the proposed “sincere” apology required from an unruly member in addition to longer terms of suspension, many Govenment supporters speaking against it, though, unless it is withdrawn, it is likely to be carried. Mr Gibson Bowles was some days ago very merry at tho expense of Ministers over this question. “George the Fourth was tho first gentleman in Europe. The Colonial Secretary is tho first gentleman in Birmingham. But does he apologize,” be asked, “whether to the German Chancellor or to tho member for tho Carnarvon Boroughs (Mr Lloyd George) ? Not ho! In tho words of another great statesmen, Pontius Pilate, ho says—‘What I have said I have said.’ ” The House was in the temper to enjoy this rather pretty fooling, and it laughed with abandon. Thus encouraged, tho hon. member continued in his most humorous vein; and, referring by suggestion to the frivolity of a former leader, expressed the certainty that Mr Balfour, whoso bachelorhood is fixed, would not read his love letters in the House to the detriment of public business.” Mr Bowles, in a burst of oratorical objection to the Government proposals, predicted that “members would thus become the minions of Ministers and the Parliamentary embodiment of slavery.”

It is the stem and remorseless truth that “romances” which begin with elopements and runaway marriages have their sequels very often in divorce courts and other unhappy and quite unromantio proceedings. Such, however, has not been tho case with the. union of Princess Elizabeth, a daughter of Prince Regent Leopold, of Bavaria, who ran away in 1893 with Baron Seefried, then a lieutenant in the famous “iheb Regiment” in His Majesty’s service. Barring the fact that tho young couple havo never been forgiven by their. Bavarian relatives, nor allowed to rotun to Bavaria, the marriage has been a truly happy one. Tho baroness, like some other naughty children, found a forgiving and indulgent friend in a grandpapa, who happened, in this instance, to bo the venerable Emperor Joseph of Austria. He bestowed not only a generous allowance on his granddaughter, but also a commission in tho Austrian army for her husband. The baroness has two little daughters, her eldest child, a boy, having died soon after his birth.—“l<eslie’s .Weekly,"

The “Corricrc della Sera” (Milan) publishes an aconnt of an interview its London correspondent has had with M. Alarconi. The latter is reported to have said that ho was ready to pay £IOO to anyone who could interrupt and road one of his messages, and that ho intended to begin by cutting tho trans-At-lantic cable rates by one-half, and would afterwards reduce tho present rate for short distance inland telegrams. Asked why he loft Italy, Mr Marconi said the Italian Government gave him every encouragement, hut it was only in England and America that ho could find the capital ho required, tho experiments alone costing £200,000. His company now had a fifteen years contract with tho British Government for a wireless naval service at £IO,OOO a year.

It is not inconccivablo that Macaulay's Now Zealander may bo found sketching tho ruins of St. Paul’s in the comparatively near future, and long before a “broken arch of London-bridgc” can bo brought into tho picture, if remarks made by a member of tho wellknown firm of Barry and Leslie, architects, are justified. In an interview published under tho sensational heading St. Paul’s Sinking, he is reported to havo said that it will bo positively perilous to worship in tho Cathedral within a few years unless at least £50,000 is spent on renovating it. “Tho fact is,’’ ho continues, “the whole south side of tho cathedral has sunk. Tho evil has boon growing for tho best part of a century. Sowers are driven through tho gravel soil in the neighbourhood and drain tho moisture out of tho ground. Consequently there has been a subsidence owing to the vast weight of the building. The largest of • tho sowers is nearly as big as a ‘tube’ railway, and very much more dangerous to tho cathedral.” The wall of the south transept was, it may bo remembered, found about nine months ago to bo 4 or 5 inches out of the perpendicular. That defect was attended to as far as possible soon afterwards*, but there seems to bo no certainty that the improvement mado will stop tho subsidence. It can only bo hoped that the building will find its feet on more solid earth as time goes on. It should bo stated, however, that, despite the architect’s opinion, tho cathedral authorities say that the building is no longer in any danger as far as they can see. .They believe it has now reached a firm foundation.

A very intimate and convincing article on tho Czar and Czarina, by Mr John Hulme, is amongst the most interesting features of the January number of “Pearson’s, Magazine.” This is a pleasant pen portrait of tho Czarina: — “Those who seek a portrait of Alexandra Feodorovna must turn to her homo life and philanthropic work, rather than look for it. set in a Court atmosphere. The latter gives ns a beautiful woman in an artificial environment—cold, statuesque and dignified—playing her role before tho gaze of an official world. Tho former reveals a woman fond of her home, husband and children; a woman clever, bright and sympathetic, and ready to use her talents for increasing tho happiness of others. The women workers of tho country are beginning to feel, now, that in the wife of their monarch they have a powerful friend, and the. words; ‘We’ll aopeal to Alexandra Feodorovna,’ have often been tho means of saving them from hard labour regulations. On one occasion, whilst being shown through a Russian mill, I noticed that there were no women minding more than two narrow looms. ‘How is this?’ I asked. ‘Because they threatened to lay their case before the Czarina should wo persist in trying to force them to supervise more than two machines,’ was tho answer.”

Tho movement in Canada, towards increased trade with Australia is being vigorously assisted by Dr. W. H. Montague, who lately returned to the Dominion from a tour of Australasia. Speaking at a recent meeting of tho Canadian Manufacturers’ Association, he said there were opportunities which must be availed of promptly if they were not to bo altogether lost. If necessary tho Canadian exporters should be willing to bear some loss in establishing themselves in Australia, rather than leave the road clear to other countries to open trade lines. Canada should at once arrange for more steamers to call regularly at South Africa and the Australian ports. Referring to the suggestion that Great Britain should impose a duty on wheat, Dr. Montague said that preferential treatment should certainly bo sought by the colonies. Australia and Canada formed in area the greater part of tho Empire, and when South Africa joined in the friendly confederation no English Government could resist the claim of these countries to their fair share of tho trade of the motherland. A conference is to be held in London next month under the auspices of tho United Empire Trade League for discussion of the question of preferential trade within the Empire.

The new procedure rules of the House of Commons will tend to increase the already largo powers of the Executive, to limit the debate, however important the subject may be, and to suppress still further the ordinary member. In some respects they will bo a convenience to men who have private business to attend to, but it does not seem likely that they will effect the slightest increase in tho legislative output of Parliament. The evening adjournment from 8 to 10 o’clock will certainly be an encouragement to idleness, and greatly increase tho chances of a Government being defeated during divisions. Tho now rules might work better if the sessions were more extended. For many years they have been getting steadily shorter. Tho last session was the shortest for 33 years, though the business before Parliament was exceptionally important. Mr Bowles amused the House by suggesting a reversion to the ancient system of fining lazy members. In 1642 the House of Commons used to get to work at 8 a.m., and every member who came after that hour was fined a shilling. Attention was called on one occasion to the late arrival of Mr Speaker Lenthal, and it is recorded that he “flung down twelvepence on the table.”

Tory few persons leave such progeny as tho late Mrs Mary Taylor, who was buried recently at Lancaster. She had ten children, more than a hundred grandchildren, and fifty great-grand-children; around her graveside were a hundred descendants. But a still more remarkable case is recorded by Lord George Lyttelton in his “Miscellaneous Works,” in an account of -a tour in Wales. Ho mentions the death of a Welsh farmer, near Pestimog, at the ripe age of 105. The Welshman had married three times; by'his first wife he had thirty children. Hot deterred by this family, he married again, and had ten by his soco'nd. By his third wife he brought tho children up to forty-four, tho last child being eightyone years younger than the eldest. At the farmer’s funeral there was an attendance of 80Q descendants.