PERSONAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3455, 1 June 1920, Page 66

PERSONAL NOTES.

—lt is said that M. and Mme. Deschanel will endeavour to revive the fetes and receptions of former times at the Elysee, in spite of the formidable outlay the increase in prices of every thing x must entail. The mere item of the gala uniforms of the Elysee servants is suggestive. Before the war the gold-laced coat of the outrider who precedes the Presidential carriage cost 315 francs, the waistcoat 220 francs, and the yellow leather breeches 126 francs. At the present moment the lowest estimate that can be made for a similar outfit more than triples those figures. Mme. Deschanel is reputed to be very wealthy; but, nevertheless, the resumption of pre-war fetes at the Elysee would greatly strain finances. —Mr Terrot- Reaveley Glover, who has been elected public orator to the University of Cambridge, is a distinguished classical scholar and author. His book on the "Jesus of History" attracted much attentiodn. Ho is a Nonconformist, and a son of the Rev. D-f Richard Glover, a former president of the Baptist Union. He received 162 votes, against 144 cast for Mr W. T. Vcsey. The office of public orator, which dates back to the days of Erasmus, who was the first holder, has been filled since 1876 by Sir John Sandys, whose recent retirement, after the longest tenure on record, necessitated the now election. The chief duty of the post is the making of speeches in Latin in introducing the distinguished men whom it delights the University to honour by the bestowal of degrees.

—ln a recent address the Bishop of London (Dr Ingram) said there had been considerable disappointment at the fact that, now the men who had fought so gallantly in the war had returned, there was not a hotter attendance at the churches than there had been before. Perhaps too much had been evpected of them. Church parades in the soldiers' mind were associated with the polishing of buttons, which was not right. At the same time there was quite a change in their spirit and outlook as regards the Church. They did not hide under the bed when the clergy called —(laughter), —and he was not disheartened that their attendance at church had not been so large, as was expected. In their hearts there was a great deal more "religion than was shown on the face.

—Mr Hjalmar Branting, the leader of the Swedish Socialist party, has formed in Sweden the first genuine Social Democratic Cabinet in Europe," writes Hugo Vallentin in tt|,o Nation. "I write intentionally Social. Democratic and not Labour, as the kttter expression does t « not convey, at least in' England, the whole' meaning of this notable occurrence. About Mr Branting himself it is not necessary to speak. He ia well known all over Europe, because at the same time as he is a thorough Swede he is a European, a great statesman that any country might be proud of. Whatever may bo the fate of this first experiment in Social Democratic Government it will be highly interesting and well worth watching. In Sweden, where 15 years ago it was considered that even Liberals were totally unfit to govern, as that,was the absolute privilege of' the Conservatives, the King will from now preside at the Cabinet Council, as he has to do constitutionally, with 11 Social Democrats, among whom are six; working-class representatives, as his constitutional advisers. What would America say to such a state of" things?" The shortest and best "interpretation of the personality and policy of the redoubtable Bolshevik leader Lenin yet published in the English press is that written by "X" in the Fortnightly Review. Lenin, the son of Russia's hereditar v nobility, who was educated as a lawyer and was at war with society when hardly out of his teens, is seen in this sketch as the implacable, consistent, and permanent enemy of every sort of Socialism which does not accomplish its ends by deliberate civil war, the extinction of the middle class, and a dictatorship of the proletariat lastiner an unknown period of time. If, says "X," he changes his methods owing to the pressure of events, it will only be a temporary variation of plan. "X" does not, however, think that Lenin entertains any idea of embarking on a campaign of revolutionary conquest in other countries, although he may extend armed help to "the struggling proletariat abroad." Negotiation with Lenin having become a necessity of Allied policy, readers are reminded by "X" that peace between the Allies and the Soviet Government will not bring peace to Russia, for the enemies of Bolshevism in Russia herself will remain and civil war continue ' "The death of Sir Robert Morant is a severe blow to the cause of National Health." says The Times. "To him more than to anv other belongs the credit of establishing " the Ministry of Health. His wide vision foresaw the need lonjr ago; his indefatigable energy devised the means. He dreamed of a great system of prevention and cure, of research and information which should make of this country the healthiest in the world: and he was a man whose dreams came' true. No less distinguished were his services earlier in his career to tho cause of National Education, as those testify who knew his work most intimately. Out of weakness and confusion he brought strength and order. On the foundations which lie laid, others are now building a structure worthy of a great people. Above all things-, he was public-spirited, unselfish, devoted. He leaves an_ example and a_ re--cord of which the service that he inspired may well be proud, and a policy which, if' faithfully pursued, cannot but result in great benefit to the whole body of the people." "The late Sir Robert Morant was much the tallest member of the Whitehall bureaucracy," says the Post. "His commanding presence made him distinguished in any company."