“Nicknames."

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXX, Issue XV, 11 April 1903, Page 1044

“Nicknames."

Few realise the odd titles which cer

tain distinguished people have earned by some peculiarity or characteristic. We gave some odd ones some weeks ago. Here are some more. It was not until Mr Rudyard Kipling wrote his now historic verses that the whole world realised that the affectionate nickname of Lord Roberts was “Bobs." Such nicknames are universal. The Duke of Cambridge is often referred to as “George Ranger,” and even the King, when he was Prince of Wales, and, perhaps, since, was known by his intimates as “The Master.

The Duke of Atholl, on account of a somewhat pompous manner, as well as of his great possessions, is known as

“All -Scotland.” The Duke of Portland —as is also Mr Walter Waring, Lady Clementine Waring’s husband • — is

known as “Jumbo,” while Lord Coventry is known as “Covey,” and Lord Warwick, even since he has succeeded to his earldom, is still known as “Brookie.” Lord Wandsworth bears the characteristic title of “The Melancholy Stern," while Lord Cholmondeley is called “Rock.” Mr Alfred Rothschild is “Air Alfred,” Lord Kitchener is known by everyone as “K. of K.,” Colonel Needham is called “Dot,” and Mr Shelley Bontein is known as “London Assurance.” Very often, for no particular reason, a man’s name is familiarly shortened, as, for instance, in the case of Prince Soltykoff, who is always known as “Solti.” The Duke of Newcastle is known as “Linnie,” and the Duke of Manchester as “Kim,” in re miniseenee of his earlier days, while his mother’s pet name for him, “Sonny,” has always stuck to the Duke of Marlborough. Lord Spencer is known as the “Red Earl,” Lord Portarlington as “The Dasher,” while Lord Londonderry is still called “C.,” a nickname which first came to him when he was Lord Castlereagh. Some of the younger men have odd names; for instance, Lord Hardwicke is called “Tommy Dodd”; Lord Lurgan, “Billy”; Lord Craven, “Uffy”; Mr Dud-

ley Alarjoribanks, “Beef”; and Lord Charles Montague, “The Snake”; laud Sudley, “Pudding”; Captain Ronald Greville, “Satan”; and Mr Tommy Chaine. “Chinese Tommy”; while, very obviously, Lord Yarmouth has been christened “The Bloater.” Some names are very flattering. For instance, Mr G. Faber is called “Beautiful George,” while General Brabazon is still known as “Beautiful Bwab.” Mr Harry Ston or is always known as “Apollo,” and Air Cyril Martineau earned the sobriquet of ‘‘Venus” when he was at college; while Lord Buchan, now a married man with grown-up children, is still known as the “Pocket Adonis.” The Duke of Bedford was nick-named “Hatband,” while in the Grenadiers; Lord Ribblesdale is “Tommy” to his friends; Lord Heneage is “Smike”; Lord Raglan, “Chalks”; Lord Annaly, “Sloper”; Cecil, “Niggs”; Lord Brougham, “The Besom.” Beauty on the Car. From Her Majesty the Queen downwards, ladies of all classes of society in England have taken to the motor-car with a fervour and appreciation which argues well for the speedy supercession of the old-fashioned horse-drawn vehicle. The Queen has a pretty victoriette electrically propelled, and Miss Knollys has a compact and neat electric dog-cart. Electric landaulettes are very favourite vehicles with a number of smart ladies. Among these is Lady Essex, one of the most charming of the American peeresses.

The Empress of Russia favours an electric carriage, a most comfortable victoria. The Princess de Polignac has also a victoria hung on leather C springs, and driven from a rumble behind. Lady Wilton and Lady de Grey favour the same sort of vehicle, which is said by experts to be the most comfortable carriage yet devised. The single landaulette is the general favourite with most of the mo-tor-loving ladies, but the light brougham has also many adherents. Some ladies

even drive their own motors. Among these is Miss Weblyn, who won the ladies’ race at Ranelagh last summer. She also drove in the thousand miles’ trial, handling Mr. Graham White’s car between Lincoln and Nottingham. More recently she drove Mr. Graham White’s car a distance of 140 miles absolutely alone. It is said that this young lady steered a car the very first time she was in one, and at full speed. Some ladies, like the Countess de Grey, now live quite out of town even during the season, yet drive up every evening to ball or opera, returning the same night. Lady Juliet Lowther and Airs. Heneage are other people who make use of their motors almost every evening during the season. The stage has many ardent motorists. Aliss Violet Vanbrugh's tall figure and handsome face may often be seen in a small but powerful car, and frequently she is accompanied by her husband, Mr. Arthur Bourchier. Her sister, Aliss Irene Vanbrugh, may also be seen at times in summer driving on her motor down to Sunbury, where she often spends a day on the river. Aliss Constance Collier says that there is no other way of taking fresh air to be compared with motor driving, while among other more recent recruits to the joys of the pastime may be counted Aliss Muriel Beaumont and pretty Miss Lettice Fairfax. Being so new a fashion, as it still is, the modes of motoring are still almost chaotic. Even the prettiest features go for nothing when hidden bv an vsly cap, veil and goggles. But clever modistes have changed all tlu’t. Sealskin dresses, and others made of lovely white furs, with hoods, are now in favour. There is also a coat of reindeer skin, which can be easily slipped over any costume, and yet presents a most handsome appearance. The pony-skin costume, which can be rubbed clean with a wet cloth, is one of the most charming of the new fashions. For one of these of pure white hide a well-known lady is said to have paid £ 1000. In pretty shades of cream colour and brown, such a coat is much more modest in price, costing only £ 20 to £ 30. There is great discussion as to what the chauffeurs shall wear. It is realised that the suit of shiny black leather and the peaked cap

are far from being things of beauty. Besides, there is no distinguishing mark to differentiate drivers so dad. Several ladies now have put their drivers into regular livery. One of these is Airs. George Keppel. During rainy weather her driver and footman both wear white, glazed high hats, which have an uncommonly smart appearance. Lady Derby, Lady de Grey, and others still adhere to the dark costume and peaked cap for their chauffeurs. One of the chief reasons why motoring has become so popular with society ladies is that they are enabled to live in the country and yet enjoy all the pleasures of town life. It is on Sundays in particular that the motor is found useful. Nowadays people come in to church, and church parade is moving in an amazing fashion.