TABLE TALK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6649, 13 September 1889, Page 2

TABLE TALK.

Viscount Dunlo's Family. Mrs Utaybrick's Defence : Sir CL Russell's Fee. Habits of the Shah : His Pretty " Boy." Jack the Ripper. (TTrom otjb London Correspondent.] London, July 25. VISCOUNT DTTNLO's ANCJBBIQRB. Viscount Dunlo, whose matrimonial escapade with Belle Bilton I described to you in my laßt,is the young hopeful of a very old family. His ancestors may not have come over with the Conqueror, but theywere well en evidence not long afterwards. The La Tranches were 4 powerful familyin Poitou in the middle ages, and i one of them (Frederick La Tranche) emigrated to England and settled down in ' Northumberland after the massacre of St Bartholomew. The grandson of this La Tranche (also called Frederick) removed to Ireland, and acquired largo estates in Galway. In 1803 the La Tranche 1 of the period (by that time anglicised to Trench) was created Earl of Clancarty in the peerage of Ireland. Later the Earl became a peer of Great Britain and Marquis of Henßden in Holland. The present Countess of Clancarty is a daughter of Lord Bristol, and a very beautiful woman. Dunlo looks the merest lad. He has disappeared from the scenes of his late reckless misdoings, with a tutor who will endeavour to instil a little common sense into him before he comes of age. The friend who persuaded the Viflcountrthat honour (?) necessitated his keeping his silly promise to Mies Bilton' ([who must be nearer thirty than twenty) is a mere boy, like Dunlo himself, and of course knew nothing of the fair damsel's ready-made family. Australians willdoubtlees remember that one of the Le Poer Trenches was for many years captain of a Green's Blackwall liner — the Shannon, I think it was — and bore the reputation of being a very domineering person. HEAVY PLAY AT BACCABAT. During the recent race week at Newmarket there was some high play in the evenings at Lord Lurgan'a, whither most of the smart young men usually adjourned after dinner. The Prince of Wales was present one night, and took a bank at baccarat with Baron Hirsch. The pair were very lucky, and won altogother, the -chief loser being Lord Lurgan. His Eoyal Highness seemed to regret having been led into the business attorwards, and solemnly bound overall present to secrecy. Lord Lurgan's Bervants were also severely cautioned. Nevertheless, the facts leaked out, and were town talk in the High street and on the Heath the following afternoon. MRS MATBRICK'S DEFENCE. I Bee Mrs Maybrick has been complaining to a friend that Sir Charles Russell would not undertake her defence until she paid, down .£4OO. As a matter of fact, Sir Charles, in fixing this amount as his fee, named the smallest honorarium which legal etiquette permits an ex-Attorney-General and Q.C. leaving the metropolis on a special mission to accept. Mra Maybrick is in good health and spirits now she is sure of her advocate, and confidently anticipates acquittal. The Maybrick brothers disclaim any animus against the unfortunate woman, but have resolved— Bhould sha get off— to fight for the custody of their brother's children. Her love passages wifcli the estimable Mr BrierleT they think will justify thi3. LORD ABHBTJBTON'S DEATH. The death of Lord Ashburton was very sudden, and occurred under most painful circumstances, as it was the eve of thfl marriage of his eldest son. The firat Baring was the son of a Lutheran pastor in Germany, and came to settle in London, in 1717, as a cloth manufacturer. His sons initiated •' Baring Broe." The family can now boast three peerages, Eevelstoke. Ashburton, and Nc tthbrook. THE SHAH JJ.ND HIS SUITE. It has taken the Shah's entertainers in England nearly a month to discover thai he and all his suite loathe ducks aa-l lobsters (which they look upon as unclean) and drink gallons of weak tea at all hours of night and day. The apparent impossibility of procuring this beverage at Buckingham Palace annoyed the Persians greatly. Instead of large jugfuls of what we Bhould call "swipes," the Eoyal servants would persist in serving small potfuls of full-bodied Byiupy Foo-choo. There was never enough; the tea was always far too strong, and the English lackeys could not understand why the Orientals were always ringing for it. At Hatfield things were rather better, but it was not till the « Centre of the Universe " reached Mr Mackenzie's in Scotland that he found his favourite drink ever at hand, and on tap. At Birmingham, the " King of Kings " was seriously annoyed owing to two lobstera dexterously enshrined in ice being placed deliberately opposite him on the lunch table. These were the chefd'ccuvrcs of the Mayor's cook, and the feelings of that functionary on hearing that the Shah had, with great irritation, ordered them to be removed instantcr, may be imagined. On this occasion the " Centre of the Universe " lunched off a raw cucumber, which he cut in chunks and devoured with dry bread. The nice-looking lad whom Lady Salisbury (a perfect dragon of propriety) discovered, was a young Circassian lady masquerading in male attire, has been withdrawn from the Shah's travelling suite, and sent to Brighton. His Majesty was greatly incensed at the fuss made about the affair, and the necessity of parting with his favourite. Hia view was that in disguising the girl in male attire he had practically complied with all the absurd necessities of English etiquette. LORD FIFE AND HIS DTTKEDOM. When Lord Fife waß offered the Dukedom of Inverness by the Queen, he told Her Majesty he Ehould prefer to be known by the name he has always borne. The Queen therefore created him Duke of Fife and Marquis of Macduff. The Eoyal marriage comes off to-morrow, and will be a very select affair, as only about 200 persons can anyhow be crammed into the small chapel at Buckingham Palace. I hear the Queen, with characteristic obstinacy, has refused to permit the future Duchess of Fife to dispense with her rank as a royalty, and that she will in consequence be known sb the Princess Louise of Fife. The wedding presents are numerous and splendid, and the bride's trousseau will coat .£4OOO. This, however, is really very moderate. The allowance for the trousseau of the Prußsian Princess, who is about to marry the Duke of Sparta, was jeio,ooo. "JACK THE HIPPER." Nothing further has been heard of " Jack the Eipper " and local excitement in connection with the Whitechapel murders has again completely disappeared. The police and the Vigilant Societies are, however, on the gut vive, and every court and alloy within the proscribed district is being most carefully watched. Dr Forbes Winslow, the notorious •* mad doctor " (a great many people think he's a little bit "off" him" self) has evolved an elaborate plot for th c capture of the " maniac murderer " (a^ he calls "Jack the Kipper"), and place* l it at the disposal of Commissioner Munr° and his merry men. The latter ungrate" fully pooh-hoohedthe scheme, bo Dr Forbe 8 and a few friends are going to put it int° execution themselves and shame the police We shall Boon know what it is.