PERSONAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2203, 21 May 1896, Page 51

PERSONAL NOTES.

• . ■ Jules Verne, in spite of his 68 years, works about six hours every day with his pen. ' • . • Mr Rider Haggard is a most enthusiastic billiard player, and, moreover, takes part in every kind of outdoor amusement as it comes -in season. • . • It is the boast of Lord Winchilseathat he has the finest collection of eagles' eggs in England, and that he has collected them all with his own hands. -.' The Baroness Burdett-Ooutts enjoys the distinction of being the only lady for more than 300 years on whom the honour of the freedom of the City of London has been oonferred. • . • Lord Salisbury became Premier for the third time at the age of 65, He is 11 and a-half years younger than Mr Gladstone

' was when he achieved the same rare distinct tion. ■ . • The King of Italy detests oards, and will not take them in his hand, it is said, owing to the faot that his father wasted hours over them ; and since the death of. Alphonso XII, cftrJ playing has been forbidden at the Court of Spain. ' .• It is remarked in Washington that Sit Julian Pauncefote, the British ambassador, has been more conspicuous socially since tha Venezuelan dispute arose than ever before. He entertains lavishly, bis manners are delightful, and he is one of the most, if not; actually the most, popular of all diplomatists at the United States capital. ■ . ' Professor Rontgen, Profeisor oC Phyaics in tbe University of Warzburg, and discoverer of the new photography, is a singular looking man. He has a very long face, made still longer in appearance by a lengthy beard. Ha wears his hair in the upright, unparted fashion favoured by German university men. His big, bright eyes, bulging forehead, and somewhat large ears help to form an unusually conspicuous face. • . • Mr George Carzon, the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1b a far better read man than most politicians as active aa himself, and he is not by any means without the " literary instinct," which, it is generally admitted, is greatly lacking in the average MP. of the present time. Ha is a great admirer of Tennyson, and knows not a few of the late Laureate's shorter poems by heart. ' . ' It is not often that we find two gifts ; so united that opinion is difficult to give as i to which of them should take precedence. Miss. Mez Lorraine made her name as a musician of no mean order. She played the mandoline, the guitar, the violin, and the piano, and her own compositions reveai an intimate knowledge of technique and harmony. It is with another gift that Mrs de Rohan has determined to make her stand before the public. Her recitations wera always exceptionally good, but a year's hard work with Mrs John Billington ha 3 resulted in the discovery of her indisputable dramatic ability, and Mrs de Rohan has decided to face tbe footlights in earnest. '.• When Lily, Daohsss of Marlborongb, was about to marry Lord William Beresford, the Marchioness of Blandford told her son, the young Duke, to give Duchess Lily permission to remove from Blenheim, and keep as he% own, anything and everything she might select, as a slight return for her lavish expenditure in restoring the property. Not a stick of furniture, piece of plate, picture, or other article would she claim. It had been given freely, and belonged to the estate. The Marchioness of Blandford was much touched by Duchess Lily's generosity to her son, but the peculiar relationship in which these ladies stand to each other prevents the Marchioness from thanking the Duchess. Both ladies are said to sympathise with each other regarding the eccentricities of their late mutual i husband. ■ . ■ Mark Twain, while in Bombay enjoying the hospitality of the Governor and of Bombay society generally, in an interview with the representative of the Times of India told the story of his life in his usual style. He " stumbled into journalism as a man falls over a precipice that he isn't looking for." "Up to the present," he added, " I have stepped out of silver mmmg — that, by the way, was my first start in Nevada— into journalism, from journalism into lecturing, and from lecturing into bookmakirjg, each of these stepa not being forced in any way, but the one leading to the next by a sort of natural sequence " In reply to the query, " What do you find most helpful in your work ? " Mr Clemens answered laconically, " Tobacco." ■ . ■ The death is announced of Sir Charles Aitcbison, one of the most distinguished of modern Anglo-Indians. For many years Sir Charles Aitchi6on was the right-hand adviier of successive viceroys, and the real power behind the throne. In 1882 he became Lieu-tenant-governor of the Punjaub. His five years' rule there was remarkable for the success with whioh he won the affection of tha people and the prosperity which he brought to the province. He was a great scholar, who was well versed in Hindi, Hindustani, and Persian, and in Indian law and history. The Punj lub University was Eounded by him, and the Aitchison College, for the instruction of tbe sons of chiefs, is another memorial of his administration. He resigned in 1889, and since then produced his memoir of Lord Lawrence for the " Rulers of India " series. Sir Charles married in 1863 Beatrice, daughter of Mr James Fox, of Clement Park, Forfarshire, and had during the past few years lived in Oxford. ' . • Apropos of the sixty-fifth birthday of Lord Salisbury and of her Majesty the Queen attaining her seventy-seventh year on May 24 of this year, it is curious, says the Lady's Pictorial, to noto how many personages of advanced age at the present moment rule the destinies of Europe or take part in their councils. In Germany we have Prince Hohenlohe Premier at the age of 77, aided by Prince Bismarck, who is now in his eighty-first year. In Russia Prince Lobanoff guides the foreign policy of that country, the senior of Lord Salisbury by two years. In Austria Count Kalnoky haa just retired at the age of 72, hiß successor, Count Goluchowski, being 65. Crißpi, the Italian Premier, is 77, and so forth. Among foreign potentates we have the Kiug of Denmark, a year older than the Queen, and now the oldest sovereign in Europe, and that " young man," the Emperor of Austria, of the same age as Lord Salisbury. Again, the Prince of Schaumberg-Lippe is 78, King Oscar 67, the Grand Duke of Baden 70, the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg- Strelitz 76, the Dukes of Altenburg and Oldenburg 69 and 68 respectively, and King Leopold 61. Lastly, mention must be made of the spiritual sovereign, the Pope, of the game age as Mr Gladstone, and still in a fair state of activity, both physical and mental.