MAINLY ABOUT PEOPLE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 133, 3 July 1909, Page 4

MAINLY ABOUT PEOPLE.

WHEN KINGS EAT. (From London M.A.P.) In the matter of food, the German Emperor is distinctly patriotic* His favorite dish is sauerkraut, served with sausages and baton. He aiso lias a lender corner in his heart for garlic. Vie Royal cooks, however, are strictly limit-, ed as regards table expenses, and are never allowed over a certain sum per person per meal, unless, of course, the event happens to be a State banquet, when the House of imiuiwollcru rises to the occasion with the best in the world. King Leopold of Belgium, ou the other hand, is the most frugal of all niouavchs, inclining to ihe smiple life. Out of bed at six, he works uiii.ii nine, when a light ■breakfast of bread and butter with a licit, pi, "• marmalade and a cup of tea is served. U olten happens that he takes no luncheon at all, while his dinner is of Hie p.aineat possible description,

OTHER TASTES. When the Shah of Persia sits down to eat he does so in a truly k.ngly manuen His dinner services are encruvted with precious stones, and the kitchen appointments at the Palace are valued iu over a mi.lion pounds. Constructed entirely of marble, with pillars of on,, x, they have the appearance of a hugebanquet hall rather (ban of u place where food is prepared, Everything from the massive stove to the smallest kettle is' made of silver. Mutton broth hns a peculiar fascination for King George of Greece. His Majesty is a hearty eater, and, it is said, only loses his temper when any dish does not come up to the usual standard. He is ako fond of Oriental sweetmeats, special consignments of which reach the Palace every day throughout the year.

(PAOLI AND THE KINO. King Edward is very sorry that M. Paoli, the eminent French detective, hns decided to retire into private life. For many years M. Paoli watched over his welfare whenever he visited France. When the half-witted lad Sipido fired at him in the railway station at Brussels 6ome few years ago, the King at once remarked to,those aibout him, "If Paoli had been here I am certain he would never have had a chance to as much as' draw his revolver." M,. Paoli tells an amusing incident that happened at Biarritz a few years ago. In company with an English detective he been to engage a conveyance on the outskirts of the town to take the King for a drive. All that could bo found was a clumsy old vehicle, with a nondescript horse and driver. "Well," remarked the English detective, "I suppose it will have to do, hut I'm Wowed if I would risk my neck in it." "And may I be the safe if I do, either," laughed a voice behind them. It was the King, who had come up unobserved.

,WHAT IS A DREADNOUGHT? Mr. MoKenna, whose name has been prominently under notice lately owing to differences of opinion respecting the present efficiency of the Navy, made rather a neat remark the other night. Ho was dining out, and a young lady next to him. said,! "Oh, Mr. McKenna, do you mind tolling me exactly what a 'Dreadnought' is!" "A Dreadnought," replied the First Lord, "is the greatest nuisance I have ever encountered, «and I never wish to meet anything like it again."

KING AND FISHERMAN. The Italian papers tell a good story of the King of Italy, who has a weakness for fishing, which is only equalled by liis consistent bad luck. He was angling recently in a decidedly neglige costume in a pool at his country seat at Racconigi, when' an old peasant passed, and, ignorant of his identity, remarked smilingly: "It seems to mo that you are as unlucky as the King." 'Why?" asked King Victor Emmanuel. "Oh, everybody knows that ho may be a good a fisherman he willnever he!" |

A NOTABLE JEW. The Anglo-Jewish community has received another heavy Mow recently in the death of another very notable man, Mr. Ellis A. Franklin, who passed away in his eighty-seventh year, at his residence in Porchester Terrace. Mr. Ellis A. Franklin belonged to the orthodnx *«'tioiii which at one time was so bitterly opposed to Professor Marks and the Reform Congregation, and was a typical patriarch in Israel, never so happy as when, on the high Jewish festivals, lie could gather round him at the festive board his sons and daughters, nl! of whom were married, and their many children. His youngest daughter is the wife of Mr. Herbert Samuel, UnderSecretary of State for Home Affairs', a cousin. Another one of Mr. Franklin'u children also married a cousin, Mr. Ernest Franklin, whose wife is a daughter of Lord Swaythling.

GIVIXG A TITHE. Mr, Franklin was associated early in lite \yjtli Lord Swaythling, then Mr. Annuel Montagu, in the foreign banking business, became a partner, and in 184U married his partner's sister. Some years ago he retired from business, two ot bis sons taking his place in the linn. To give a list ol the Jewish institutions, and charities with which Mr. Franklin was connected is practically to name all Jewry's important organisations, and His munificence was on an equally widespread scale. He fulfilled the old Jew ish precept of bestowing in charity a tithe of his income, and many of his benefactions, both to individuals and .societies, were anonymous. His good nature and tender heart, which never allowed him to turn a deaf ear to any deserving case, endeared him to an im mense circle of friends. Staunch old servant Jews such as the deceased gentleman are the pillars of AngloJewry. His four sons all follow in their father's, footsteps, and give much of their time to communal work of vuficd kinds.

A £2OO BffiD. Mine. Adelina Patti; staying a few years ago in, the fall in Now York, heard of a wonderful talking parrot, one Juinbo. Forthwith she bought him at the unconscionable price of £2OO. Once in her pujscssion, Jumbo did not open his beak. Every blandishment failed, and at length she gave him up as hopeless. Then one morning the Diva awoke with a severe core throat. She was engaged to sing at the opera on the same night, and, naturally in great trcpida tion, sent off for a throat specialist, ./umbo, whom she had quite forgotten, remained, to ail appearance, asleep on his perch. As the door opened, however, and the specialist stood on the threshold, 'before ever Patti could open her lips, Jumbo Happed his wings in great excitement. "Oil! Doctor,'' he croaked, "I'm so sick." Jumbo still lives; but that was the first and last time since Mmc. Patti became possessed of him that he deigned to speak.

QUEEN ALEXANDRA'S M'ARROTS. Queen Alexandra has a very clever parrot at Sandringhnm that *an hum -ill sorts of tunes, and every afternoon cries out "God Save the Queen 1" when Her Majesty takes her place at her own par ticular tea table in the Hall. Yet more interesting; was a parrot, a great pet of the Queen's, which lived to an incredible age, and had even belonged to George IV. °

" AN UNCOCKNEY CAPTAIN. Mr. 11. D. G. Lcveson Gower, the captain of the Surrey Eleven, who is still lovingly known as "the Shrimp" at Winchester College, where he learnt his crickctf iii 1 the early nineties, had an amusing thing said to him lately. Talking over with a friend the chances of Surrey,for the championship this season; the friend said: "Well, 1 think you are pretty safe so long as you don't drop, your H's." "How's that?" he asked. "J wasn't aware that I was given to that Cncknev ha'bit," "Nq more you are," smi|ed the friend. ''Then w'bat do you mean?" asked the Surrey captain. "Please explain." "Why,'" said the friend, "1 mean Haywnrd, Hobbs, Hayes, and Hitch, of course."

MU. ROOKFYF,r/l"S NARROW ESCAPE Mr. Roqsevclt's narrow escape from death by drowning tlio other day adds another to an already crowded list. In bis life Mr. Roosevelt has come to close quarters with many an undesirable acquaintance, man and boast j but perhaps' the encounter which will remain longest in his memory was that several years ago with a gentleman rejoicing iii the name of ]!nd Man of Wibans. Mr! Roosevelt met this formidable ruffian Hi a North Dakoota saloon. "Take a drink;' said Had Man. "f don't drink," replied Roosevelt shortly. "1 snv you've £»ot to, drink.' persisted the other. "1 ibink hot," was the suave nn.viver. "Ustoit to me, pard," said Bad Man', nlacing.- a tumbler of whisky i n front of him;'-lon drink before I count three . nr {'ll pv/t,n bullet through your head," ■nl the <°fi/ie time cocking In, re\o\'ei I fu,t is ju| lips <werc fortnng the word | One" Roosevelt's arm fchot out and (aught him yhbpt the ohi|, and the nun fdl prcpifcte on inflow, >( l'K4 A Milfc<fcife!