SOCIETY GOSSIP

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 213, 29 August 1908, Page 3

SOCIETY GOSSIP

(From M.A.P.) QUEENS WHO SMOKE. Oi;::en Amelie of Portugal, who, unfortuctely, is in a very poor state of health at present, is one of several European queens who favour smoking; and she constantly seeks solace in a cigarette of excellent flavour, of whieh she always carries a supply al:mt with her. On the other hand, her mother-in-law, Queen Maria Pia, detests even the smell of tobacco, due, doubtless, to the fact that both her husband and her son, the late King Carlos, indulged in black, strong cigars, and so impregnated the atmosphere of the royal palace with their pungent odour as to make Queen Maria an opponent of tobacco-smoking for ever after.

TOBACCO AS NERVE-SOOTHER. When the Tsaritsa first went to 1»... sia, she had no idea of what the taste of tobacco was like. Soon, however, In --irdincc with the custom of the Russian Court, she took to smoking cigarettes, and now consumes no i....,nsiderable number each day. Her Majesty is not an inveterate smoker, like the Dowager-Er"?rcss, for she can discontinue the habit at will. The Queen of Roumania avers that she lias never thought out an idea for a story or a poem without a cigarette between her lips; licr Majesty considers nothing could be more ellieacious for soothing her nerves; and "Carmen Sylva" possesses a particularly nervous temperament, The Dowager-Queen of Spain is a firm believer in the soothing powers of tobacco, and in its use as an aid to clear and reasoned thinking. In the day of tho regency, her Majesty decided most of her intricate problems of State with the help of a dainty cigarette. A LITTLE-KNOWN KING. The King of Wurtemborg, .who made an ascent in Count Zeppelin's airship, is one of 'tlie least-known of all the European monarchs. His Majesty is, however, very popular in his own kingdom, where he is noted for his geniality and good nature. He is a first-rate sportsman, and a great lover of literature and art; but it is as a soldier that he is ehielly famous, and he plays a prominent part in military affairs. The King has been twice married, his first wife, who was the Princess Marie of Waldeck-Pyrmont, having died after only five years of happy wedded life. The present Consort, Queen Charlotte, is an ardent champion of her sex, and has done a great deal to improve the conditions of the working women of Wurtemberg.

A DUCAL SPORTSMAN. The Duke of Badminton is an ideal specimen of the " fine old English gentleman," and as a sportsman he has few equals in or out of the peerage. His Grace is immensely wealthy, for when he succeeded to the dukedom in 1899 he inherited about 52,000 acres and the fin? Gloucestershire seat known as Badminton, celebrated for its valuable library and magnificent stables. It is worth noting, by the way, that the famous Badminton series of books ou sport were called after the Duke of Beaufort's seat.

DOES NOT LIKE KHAKI. Formerly the Duke was in command of the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars (Imperial Yeomanry), but he resigned on somewhat remarkable grounds. He had a great dislike to khaki clothing, and he also objected strongly to camping on Salisbury Plain. " Because there has been a war in South Africa," he said, " 1 do noit see why we should be condemned to spend our time in wet tents and dress like a lot of convicts.' At first, no one could believe that he was serious; but with his resignation came the conviction that his Grace has a will of liis own, besides being a man of original ideas.

I A SCIENTIFIC PEER. j If there were more men in the House of Lords with the brains and ability of Lord Blytliswood, wdio, happily, is now recovering from the illness which has affected hiin since a recent visit to France, it is safe to say that nothing would have been heard of a desire to end or mend that venerable institution. Lord Blythswood's hobby is science, and at Blytliswood, his magnificent country seat near Glasgow, he has built himself a big laboratory, which is filled with unique specimens of machinery, constructed entirely in his own workshops, for pursuing investigations in chemistry, electricity, optics, and mechanics. ' j

SPORTSMAN AND SAVANT. There is nothing in the outward appearance of Lord Blytliswood that would convey tho faintest suggestion of his scientific leanings. Although his hair and beard are snow-white, his closelyknit frame, as sturdy as ever, in spite of his seventy-two years, impresses one rather with his capacity for immense physical endurance, and it is not surprising that he is a sportsman, as he is a savant, of no ordinary merit. His lordship started life as a soldier; became a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Scots Guards, was severely wounded in the Crimea, and owes it to his marvellous vitality that, he still survives the wounds and hardships of half-a-ecntury ago. He is a descendant of the fourteenth century Sir Colin, Campbell, who was responsible also for the Dukes of Argyll; but his enormous wealth, so far from tempting him to a life of indolence and luxury, has proved useful in assisting him in scientific study and research. He married, forty-four years ago, the Hon. Augusta Carrington', sister of that ardent Liberal, Lord Cavrington, and converted her to the Tory faith, for which Lord Carrington has long since forgiven him.

A VERSATILE DOCTOR. Sir James Crichton Browne, who is interesting himself so keenly in the war against rats, is probably the most versatile of present-day doctors. There is practically no subject upon which he is not an authority, and tho independence and originality of his views have time and again created heated discussions in most ot the newspapers of the land. Sir James is a vigorous Scotsman, and is in such perfect health himself that he has little patience with those who, through an indifferent knowledge of the laws of life, contract various ills which might easily have been avoided.

LIVING TO BE A HUNDRED. In his opinion, every child should be brought up impressed with the obligation of living to be a hundred, and ho is optimist enough to believe that it is only a matter of time before every house will become a little temple of hygiene, which can only be done when wo return to a life of simplicity and tranquillity. iSome time ago, Sir James caused a sitorm in the vegetarian camp by eulogising the steak and the muttonchop; but he softened matters down a little by asserting the wisdom of treating "' minor cases of brain irritability by a reduction of the butcher's bill."

IN. JAMAICA, Some years ago, Sir James had in amusing encounter with a coloured official at Kingston, Jamaica. So far away from home, fins famous doctor was, jo doubt, a little home-sick, and he hoped that he might be able to come across some of his own countrymen. "Ace there many Scotsmen in these parts?" ho inquired of the said official. "Not many," replied the latter; "just a few—but 'quite enough."

ROMANCE AT THE ELYSEE. So many rumours have been spread concerning Mile. Anna Fallieres, daughter of the French President, that she has come to bo regarded in France as the most mysterious and inscrutable member of the Presidential household. Considerable time and energy have been wasted by the romance-loving French in selecting a suitable husband for the Mile. Fallieres, but as their matchmaking projects failed time and again, they iinagined that she intended never to many, aud rashly decided that she had already been crossed in love; according lo one' report, site was lo take the veil. All the rumours about Mile. Falilercs rihavc lout additional interest to the announcement of her engagement to M. ..lean Lanes, Secrela'ire-ltcneral to tlr; French President. She is kind-hearted, devotes a large part of her time to charity, and is thoroughly domesticated, possessing all those qualities that goto the making oi an ideal French wife than whom there is no higher type of wifehood in the world.

M FALLIERES SAVED FROM HIMSELF. M. dean Lanes enjoys the complete confidence of the President, by whom he is already regarded as a sou, rather than as a servant. He exercises a rigid etiquette in admitting or excluding visitors at the I'.lysee; and few—fewer, "ndeed. than have been received by any previous President —are able to obtain Ihe favour of nn interview with M. Fallieres,

"THE BELGIAN SHAKESPEARE." M. Maurice Maeterlinck, who, it is announced, is to receive the Nobel prize for literature this year, has been called "the lielgian Shakespeare "—a title Is'.' is by no means averse from holding. Hie admiration for the great English dramatist is unbounded, and some time ago he vigorously criticised Tolstoy for his attack upon Shakespeare's plays. M. Maeterlinck is one of the most remarkable figures in the contemporary world of letters, and, considering thai he is now only forty-six, it is probable that he has not yet given us of his best. A thorough mystic, there is still so much that is practical in his philosophy that he compels the attention of the ordinary man, in spite of his predilection for syuil la and vague reasonings. Maeterliii k's love for the beautiful induced li'jU last year to purchase the ancient Abbey of Saint Wandrille, in X ■■•■ .audy. This historic retreat was ' i ruins, but the poet set about having the iplace repaired, so that he can entertain his friends amid picturesque surroundings.