Personalities.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 406, 18 February 1904, Page 2

Personalities.

SINGEES. JSK&MHEN a woman makes np her kmrUTA m * t0 ezce l aB a dinger, Bhe &M&JIP must, bo scatter how greatly endowed by nature, remember that the beauty of her voice depends very .largely on her being able to say 'no' to herself. F **her .many of the sweets of life must be nOn-existent. The diet of a singer has to be carefully considered and limited as that of an athlete in training. Madame Melba is devoted to sweets but she never allows herself one; Madame Nordica confesses to sometimes having a perfectly childish craving for an abundant

feast of sweets and pastries,, yet shei 4eaiesh< . [ Madame Oalve once expressed a longing for a big, rich, hearty workman's dinner, which she might enjoy without thought • of consequences, or any reminder of the fact that she had a voice to spoil Madame Patti has sacrificed practically every thing to her voice, and Bhe saystbatrshe owes its preservation to the fact that she never for one moment forgets she is-a; singer. That this is often inconvenient she frankly owns, ' Bat.' she says, ' it isa penalty I have to pay for a great gift.'

AN ANQIENT PUNCH BOWL. One of the moßt interesting .things at Dalkeith is a famous Queen Anne silver boirl which weighs more than 2,0000ra. The bowl has taken part in many historic celebrations, and when the Duke of Bucoleuch came of age it was filled with whisky punch for the drinking of His Grace's health. It is kept in one of the windows of the great dining-room, and bears the date 1702.

KING EDWARD PATS TAXES. | : Like Queen Victoria, King Edward pays taxes under protest; that is to say, he claims to be exempt from impost, but is willing without prejudice to contribute towards the rates. For example: part of the Windsor farm lies within the radius of the borough, and accordingly the municipal 'authority issues demand notes fcr rates. The Boyaljofllcials then pay a sum Slightly less than that demanded, and therewith the collector is satisfied. There can be no question of going to law about the matter, for the King cannot be summoned in his own courts.. '

THE PREMIER'S SISTER. Miss Balfour, the Premier's siate* watches over him like a guardian angel' and saves her brother all possible anxiety', Golf and the many duties attendant upon his high office absorb all his time and attention, and of his personal comfort he has no time to think. But here the guardian angel steps in, and not only arranges what he shall eat and drink, but even wherewithal he shall be clothed, besides doing much of business connected with his Whittinghame Estate. Miss Balfour is a motorist, a cyclist, and a woman of considerable business abilities, besides being by way of an authoress. She hasjjublished the story of her travels in South Africa before the war, as well as a book on her wanderings in Ireland.

EARLY RISING AMONG ROYALTY. Many people think themselves perfec* paragons of virtue because they breakfast at eight o'clock every morning, and others deem the nine o'clock dejeuner a very early one s but his Majesty King Edward, who is rarely, if ever, in bed until long after midnight, is astir very early, ';' His breakfaßttbell rings when most ' Society' people aie thinking about their early cup of tea; and he has done many hours' hard work when tbe average City man is, on his way to the office. In this respect the German Emperor is most exemplary, breakfasting punctually every morning at seven o'clock— being very often preceded by a. couple' of hours' work or a good canter on his favourite horse. The King of Italy is not only an early riser himself, but requires his secretaries and the Government officials to be early risers, too, AN ARCHBISHOP PRINCE. Prince Max of Saxony, youngest son of the King of Saxony, some three or four years ago was well known as a parish priest in the East-End of London. He has-now become Archbishop of Olmustz, in place of Archbishop Kohn.