FAMOUS BACHELORS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19731, 28 December 1926, Page 8

FAMOUS BACHELORS

WHY THEY STAY SINGLE CELEBRATED MEN’S REASONS. "When the thirty-eight bachelors of the present Parliament recently held 'their noted dinner in London as such, one or two of them were asked by friends why they bad remained in •'single bl'’ssedness” instead, of taking on the matrimonial yoke? Their replies. us we]] as those of other worldfamous bachelors, living or dead, cabinet but pros interesting to students of the ‘'Eugenie Suicnce,” and to women generally, says a London paper. The Archbishop of York, when dining with Queen A’ictoria at Osborne, whilst A’icar of Portsea and her private chaplain, was railled on this very point by Hur Majesty. “Mr Lang,” said she naively, ‘‘how is it you have never married? For thev tell me a vicar’s wife is as good as a curate to him in the parish. ’ ’ “Just so. Your Majesty!” replied the future Archbishop. ' ’ But . you see. a vicar can get rid of a curate who docs not suit him. or goes against his orders. H<‘ cannot similarly get rid of a wife! ” 'The Que.-n was amused, but said no more on the matter. However, the reason given by (’aptain ’’azalet. M.P. for Chippenham, when he was asked the same question a week or two back, favours somwhat of this prelate’s own view. “I have a good mother and a good sister,” said the gallant Captain. •'And a good mother and a good sister are worth two good wives, and far less expensive as well!” That groat painter. Sir Joshua Reynolds, used to assert that he had continued single because he felt sure a wife would interfere with his art. work and study. Indeed he gave it as his well-considered opinion that if a painter determined to make art. his mistress for life, he should never marry, since no man could possibly serve two mistresses equally well and satisfactorily. Major Sir Harry Barnston. M.P. for Eddisbury. Cheshire, was one of the House of Commons bachelors who joined in the dinner just mentioned. His reasons given for refusing to pass into the married state are perhaps more prosaic, but also more generally true, than several excuses made by other noted bachelors in similar circumstances, when brought to answer for their derelections. “ People (i.e. women) whom I have liked have so far never liked me!’’ says Sir Harry. “On the other hand women who have liked me, 1 have myself never liked. So there you are! What can a man do but remain single in that case?” ' That beautiful musical play “Lilac Time,” which has had such a wonderful run of success in London and the i Provinces for over a year, is based upon ithe great musician Schubert’s music and ' love story. He, as shown in the play i itself, was not averse to marry, and was deeply in love with a certain lady, but his devotion to music, and his i knowledge that, marriage must to some [extent seriously affect this, so far as [actual composition was concerned, and [the great disparity of their ages—again [well shown in the play— made him sadly i give up the idea, and allow another to [win the hand of the noted Countess, i who might have been “Mrs Schubert’’ [had all gone as love dictated in Ihe first 'instance. i One of the most amusing excuses for [not getting married made by any of [the more celebrated bachelors in our own days is that set down to Sir R. [Park Goff’s account. ’Phis famous K.C. and M.P., who was also at the “Comi rnons Bachelors’ Dinner.” states his l reason like a lawyer might be expected ito do, and in a regular fashion that [would have delighted Mr “Euclid” .himself out-and-out! Sir Park says: ‘ Marriage, as all admit, is a lotterry! Lotteries are forbidden in this country by Law! Therefore I must remain a bachelor! But (in extenuation) let me say that T have acted as ‘best man’ at least 18 times!”