PERSONAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2258, 10 June 1897, Page 47

PERSONAL NOTES.

j • . • King Alfonso of Spain is now 10 years old. He comes of age, according to the Spanish constitution, when he is 15, and the queen's regency, therefore, has bat five years to run. • . • Lord Bussell of Killowen ia a believer in coffee. Notably oa the occasion of hia two days' speech before the Parnell Commission, he drank nothing but hot coffe«, which he declared was not only good for the voice, but an excellent stimulant. • . • It is not generally known that Signer Foli, the vocalist, began life as a cabinetmaker. Specimens of his skill may be seen in several London mansions. Foli is a warmhearted and generous Irishman. .Dogs and billiards appeal to him almost as much as the concert room. • . ■ Mr O. A. Jones, of Carnarvon, is the possessor of the smallest adult hand in the world. Ifc measures, as nearly as possible, one inch, both in length and breadth, each finger only measuring a q darker of an inch. Mr Jones is not a baby midget, but a wellgrown man of 21 years. His hand has been at its present size since his birth. • . • Mr August Manns, the musical director at the Crystal Palace, has occupied that position for over 40 years. At the opening of the palace he was employed ac first violinist, but the condnctorship of the band becoming vacant a year or no later, lie was appointed to the position. Mr Man' ~ is now over 70, and, as may be imagined, caa a feeling of personal attachment for the palace. • . • The German Emperor invariably carries with him, wherever be goes, a small revolver. The threats of the anarchists have made this measure of security seem necessary. His Majesty is a skilful shot, and the chasseur who accompanies him everywhere has received orders to inspect tbiß weapon every morning, to ensure the fact of its baing in working order. * . ■ Though Mr Gladstone no longer sits in the House of Commons, permanent records of him remain on the two brass-bound oaken despatch-boxes which always stand on the table which divides the two front benches. Both of these bear indentations caused by Mr Gladstone's signet ring, when, alike in office and opposition, he brought down his clenched fist with tremendous force on one i box or the other. I • . • Mrs CreightOD, the wife of the Bishop ! of London, is one of the best speakers at church congresses. She is constantly addressing all kinds of religious and philanthropic meetings, and can make herself as well heard in a large hall as in a drawing room. Mrs Creighton is also an authoress of repute in the nursery, having written several volumes of history for children. The bishop's wife, who is of Eussian descent, is still in the prime of life, and has handsome, iutellectual features. • . ■ Sir George Nares, who commanded in 1875 the last Polar expedition organised by the Government, is now a member of the Harbour department of the Bjard o£ Trade. Nearly 70 years of age, he is still an active everyday worker, and keenly interested in the progress of Polar exploration. Admiral Nares took part in the search for Franklin and also in the Crimean war. His last voyage was in command of the Alert — one of his two Arctic ships — on a survey of the Pacific Ocean. •. • M. Hanotaux, the French Foreign Minister, who held a conference in Paris with Lord Salisbury recently, was 10 years ago a simple Government clerk, and even three years back he was no more than under-secretary. To-day he holds a conference with a Prime Minister of Britain, and this conference and its results are eagerly canvassed all over Europe. M. Hanotaux, white still a voun? man, Is said to have

taken Riohelieu as his model, and to havt resolved to raise France to the same pre-; pondetating position in international affair*' that she held under the great cardinal. ■ . * The career of Sarah Bernhardt should give great encouragement to unsuccessful aspirants. On making her first appearance when about 17, at the Oomedie Francaise, she failed so completely as to induce her to abandon the stage. In a short time ambition again asserted itself, and in Victor Hugo's " Euy Bias " a great success waa won. Madame Bernhardt is believed to orave fresh laurels as a playwright, despite the non-success of a one-act play she produced eight years ago. • . • Mr Joseph Chamberlain has always loved work for work's sake. As a lad, at school, he had no sympathy with boys who shirked their tasks through idleness, and his manner of beginning a holiday was to rise at as early an hour as possible. He was only a youth in his teens when he joined his father in business, and he has always been proud of his connection with trade. It is not generally recognised that he is an ardent philanthropist, but it was due to his energy that Birmingham was cleared of its " rookeries," .while the statesman's private charities are said to be as large as they are unostentatious, • .'. ' Lord Baaconsfield was the only man vrho ever succeeded in getting the Prince of Wales to play for small stakes, and he did it artfully. The Prince was on a visit to Hnghenden, and after dinner the usuitl game was suggested. When~ the stakes were announced, " Dizzy " turned pale. He was a comparatively poor man, and feared to risk so much money. A bright idea occurred to him. It was just after the Queen bad been crowned Empress of India, and " Dizzy " suggested : "Wouldn't it be more suitable to make it crown points 1 " The Prince was so pleased with the mot that he consented. • . • Johannee Brahms dead I One can scarcely believe it — yet t says a London paper of April 1, the news arrived on Saturday that the famous composer succumbed to cancer at Vienna. Brahms was not for the people. He was of the study — to the student in the study. His hundreds of song?, his many symphonies, and various other works will live as classics — more for reference than indulgence. Born in IS33, he did not "come out " till the fifties had begun, and indeed 1860 to 1862 marks Mb important period, the " Kequiem " bringing him into a prominence from which he never receded. His songs are very popular in this country, a great deal beiDg done towards this end by Mr David Bispham. ■ . • As a young man it was easy to predict that. Garnet Wolseley would make hia mark. He was barely 18 when he entered the army, and he gained promotion with"a rapidity . which astonished even his friends. In three years he became captain, and a curious incident occurred in connection with his promotion. It was discovered too late that the new captain waß barely over 21, and the captaincy was cancelled. Wolseley, however, protested so vigorously against this injustice to youth that his case was referred to higher authorities, and ultimately the captaincy was restored. Wolseley was the youngest captain in the British army, but hia notable career has vindicated the wisdom of those Tfho conferred the hoaoux upon him. At the earliest moment possible he was made major, and soon afterwards became a lieu-tenant-colonel. • . • Bjornsf jerne Bjornson, the Norwegian novelist whose disagreements with Ibsen j have developed into quarrels of late, is a j man whose whole heart is in politics. Ho ia one of the leaders of the Radical party in Norway, although he has never sat in the Storthing, thinking that he has greater power and independence outside. A Goldea Penny contributor who saw him recently describes him as a big man, with a well-knit form denoting physical strength, and a fine head denoting great mental power. He ia some years younger than Ibsen. Although Bjornson has travelled much, he has been but once in England, and that was only for a week, many years ago. In answer to a question he said, " Perhaps I may go again some day, for I am an apostle of Herbert Spencer's, and a great reader of your literature, although I speak the language very badly." • . • Letters from India announce the death of Major G. W. Younghusband, of the 14th Bengal Lancers, which occurred under peculiar circumstances at Jubbulpore on March 23. The gallant officer, in company with Lieutenant Geary, R.A., had been out pigsticking, and had two days previously dined at a private house. Both were seized with cholera almost simultaneously, and died within a few hours of each" other. None of the other members of the dinner party were affected, and the surmise that lead or copper poisoning caused the fatality has been proved to be erroneous. The loss of the two officers was deeply regretted at tho military station. Major Younghusband had had a lengthened experience of Indian service He was attached to the Jowaki Afreedee expedition in 1877-78, for which he received thß medal with clasp : he participated in the Afghan war of 1878*80, and was present at engagements at Takht-i-PaJ, Suabjui, Ahmed Keyl, and Urzoo, again receiving the medal and clasp. • . ■ Colonel Robert Hunter Murray, whose fortune it is to have to lead a battalion of Seaforth Highlanders from Malta to Crete, is a vigorous warrior of 50 years, whose mili* tary record has been of exceptional brilliance. He was in the great Afghan campaign, and shared in the capture of Perivar Kotal, besides reconnoitring the Sburar Gurdan Pass. Ha took part in the occupation of CabuT, defended the gorge of Deh Mazung, and captured the Asmai hills. During the relief of Candahar he received severe wounds, and, returned home a bemedalled and grizzled major. Later on he waa at Tel-el-Kebir and Zagazlg, and during the Soudan expedition acted before Suakin as assistant, lo the chief of staff. In the social world of Malta he has been a tower of strength, as he was previously in Guernsey, and his popularity amongat his men has been gained by a sincere devotion to their welfare under the trying conditions of I life in insular garrisons. — Children are like flowers in that they | sometimes need a stick to keep the» ; straight*