Personalities

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 360, 2 April 1903, Page 2

Personalities

SIR J. JEEJEEBHOY. the jewelled galaxy of milIJflKj® lionaires in the Indian Empire ifluK the same that stands most prominently is that of Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy, the recognised head of the Parsees. A splendid example of energy and enterprise—qualities that are, indeed, typical of the Parsees—the Jeejeebhoy family is of the humblest origin. A century ago, when the British Empire in India was being formed out of the crumbling ruins of the Mogul and the Mahratta, and all India was in chaos, the anceetor of the Jeejeebhoys was a poor lad, striving to gain his daily bread by the sweat of his brow. Then, no sooner were modern methods of economics introduced into the country than this humble lad forthwith dreamt of millions. He started in business as a small merchant. So -far the entire foreign trade of India had been in British hands—those of the East India Company. In the absence of competition on the part of the conservative Hindus, he increased his business, prospered, and finally amassed a fortune of two million sterling.' For his purpose India was a virgin soil, a new country as yet unexploited by modern ! methods. Because of bis splendid munificence he was created first a K C 8., and then a baronet—the first in India. For, if he amassed a fortune, he knew how to spend it. He gave away a million pounds, half his fortune, in charities. Hospitals, colleg<s and rest-houses were founded and endowed by him. The present baronet, Sir Janmtjee Jeejeebhoy, the third from the founder, succeeded in 1877, and since then has well maintained the traditions of his house.

THE DUKE OF ATHOLL. The descendant of the ancient Kings of the Icle of" Man, the Dake of Athwll ie one of the greatest of Scotch peers, and the holder of nineteen titles, bnt he seems prouder of the position of chief tan of his clan tban of any other social advantages. When the Atholl meeting takes place in early autumn, the Duke marches at the head of his clansmen in true feudal fashion, and is one r,f the few Scotch nobles who keep up old traditions, sports, games, etc., Buch as throwing the hammer and fiie javelin, dancing the Hoolakban, Highland fling, and so on; and he pre fers that his own people, and not professionals, shcu'd take part in these contests and amusements. This old family cherish their hereditary rights, preserve many curious customs, and own to not a few superstitions. The dukedom of Atholl holds the privilege of presenting a cast ef falcons to the Sovereign at. the time of a Coronation; and when the reigning monarch visits Blair Atholl, ancient usage decrees that the Dake of Atholl of the day should present a white rose to the Royal guest. Another old custom prescribes that when the heir's bride pays her first vibifc to the ancestral castle, she should be carried across the threshold, and by no means walk through the doorway. M. ZOLA.

Whatever else M. Zola was, he was courageous. His sadly dramatic end is a climax not wholly out of keeping with the life of the man. His w&b a career of startling vicissitudes, in which the sweets of triumph did not outweigh the bitterness of poverty, obloquy, and, later, persecution. Ensile Edouard Charles Antoine Zola was born in Paris on April 2,1840. His father was a Venetian, and his mother a Parisian; His first literary engagement was on the staff of the ' Evenement,' to which .tributed a column of literary gossip at a salary of £5 a week. Later he wrote the series of articles on art which created suoh a storm of hostile comment. He followed where Buskin had led. With all the vigour he could command he tilted at the conventional and artificial, and declared for Nature as the great master-teacher. Buskin published the first volume of his 'Modern Painters' at about the age of twenty-five; Zola became the best-hated art critic in Paris at the same age. Lauaohed at last upon the tide which was to carry him to fame and fortune, his industry was prodigious. Volume succeeded volume. Na*urally, his brutal frankness has not met with unanimous approbation in this country. According to the point of view be has been hailed as the high priest of realism and the proB?-p~et of the sewer and t :e < ffal-heap. Zola's name is freshest in recollection as it figures in the many windings of the Dreyfus case. His splendid heroism was the means of hastening the re-trial of Dreyfus, and had he done nothing else he would deserve high place on his country's roll of fame. M. Zola had; in addition to a house in Paris, a fine old mansion, the Chateau de Medan, situated not far from the capital. Every centime he got came from his books. His royalty was sixty centimes a volume, which brought him abcut 300,000frs. a year. He spent furiously on furniture and bric-a-brac even with his first savings. Ha never saved much. 'No day without a line' was M. Zola's motto. He had it carved in letters of gold over his study fireplace.

THE SULTAN'S BIBTHDATt. Abdul Hamid is sixty. He is not the 'record' Sultan, but Abdul has still within his reach the possibility of reigning longer than aßy member of the Othmans, who have ruled Turkey for so long. None of the Sultan's four sons can succeed to his throne, which will fall upon the eldest of his four sane brothers — MehemmenBesbad, should he survive the present monarch. The world knows little of the Court of Turkey, and not one of the Barnes of the E yal family, except that of its heed, is familiar. How many- people know that the Sultan has an elder brother living, who was depose d to make room for Abdul P Murah V., the oldest of the four brothers of Abdul Hamid, was a reigning monarch for three months, himself succeeding a daposed uncle, and his brief reign came to an end with his removal to an asylum, where be still lives. Beshad is the third of six brothers, and failing him there are three others f >r the throne, all between the ages of forty and fiftyfive, but all bearing names which have rarely, if ever, appeared in the newspaper)-:. The man who, in the ordinary course of things, will succeed the Sultan, is now about fifty-eight, tall, and with blue eyes and red beard, which will have to be dyed as black as ink if he reigns oyer Turkey. No Snltan must show a grey bair in Turkey; if he lives to be a hundred his hair must be without a sign of age. THE O'GBADT'S. Amongst distinguished Irishmen must be numbered Mr. Standish O'Grady, whose nam? and books are bo popular with all supporters of the Irish Literary Bevival movement. He was born on September 18 th, 1864 The o'Grady's are amongst the most ancient families, and were, indeed, a branch of the family jof King Brian Bom The present chieftain is The O'Grady of Kiiballyyowen.

A MEXICAN STEAK. ' Down on the other Bide of the Bio Grande,' said ar< turned traveller,'' the best cats of Mexican beef are tougher than rhinceroa hide. When I first went to Mexico 1 ordered a tender loin at an hotel in Durango, bnt T couldn't cat it to save my neck. I told the waiter it wouldn't do, and he removed it." | Preaeufcly. however, he returned, accompanied by the proprietor of the hotel, and laid the platter on the table, * What's the matter with the steak?' asked the hotel man in Spanish. ' Tough,'said I; 'why, I can hardly stick a fork into it, much less a knife!' My host flopped it over with the flat of the knife, and eyed it dubiously. ' I'm sorry,' he said, * but it's the best in the house.' At any rate, I can't take it back—it's bent!' There may be times when you cannot find help, but Nereis no time when you cannot give help. 'All my illusions are gone!' 'Nonsense, Jack! That's one of them.'