People

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 27, 3 July 1902, Page 10

People

One of the late Dr. Lieber's brothers is a Jesuit who has labored many years on the mission in Sweden. Sunday, June 22, was the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon's 57th birthday. King Victor Emmanuel has given £100 to the Italian Hospital in London A silver medal of honor has just given by the Fnench Minister of the Interior and of Worship to Sister Marie Louise Sanquez for 60 years of faithful tendance as infirmarian at the state insane asylum at Morlaix. Lady Russell of Killowcn has just witnessed the completion of the memorial placed upon her husband's grave m the Epsom cemetery The cross now set in its place is reproduced from diawnigs L,ady Russell has made after an ancient pattern still to bo seen in the cemetery of the ruined abbey of Clonmacnoise, on the banks of the Shannon. Book-keeping by double entry wasi made public by a monk, Paccioli over 400 years ago. On November 10, 1494, he published a book ' De Summa Arithmetical in one chapter of which the system of double entry as now used was described. Paccioli had learned the art when tutor to tho sons of a Venetian merchant, and though not the inventor of the system, was tho first to make it known to tho world. One of tho most remarkable personalities who arrived in London last week for the Coronation ceremonies was Archduke Franz Ferdinand, tho heir presumptive to the Austrian throne. About a year ago the Archduke made a public speech, m which ho expressed his opinions as a Catholic Prince, in a way which nobody could possibly misunderstand. Evidently, too, frankness is Archduko Ferdinand's way The other day, for instance, ho struck out Count Leo Tolstoi's name from a list of foreign honorary members submitted to tho Emperor by the Prague Academy of Science and Art. >lis action has created quite a sensation in literary and art circles in Austria. But tho heir presumptive apparently does not mind. He always takes his own line in life Against the wishes and influences of his friends in tho 'highest quarters,' he married Princess Chotek, tho alliance entailing heavy sacra/ices on his part. The accession to the throne of Austria of a man of such strong- will may be an event of no little importance in European politics. Mr. J F. X O'Brien, M P., who is said to be resigning the secretaryship of tho United Inish League of (Jreat Britain, is ono of the most remarkable Irishmen in the House of Commons. He is tho only man now living-, who has been sentenced, by British law, to bo hanged, drawn, and quartered for treason-felony. In 3 867, in tho days of the Fenian movement, O'Brien was arrested whilst leading an armed party which attacked a police barracks. On the trial it appeared that the barnacks

were set on fire, and that the inmates, including some women and children, were in imminent danger, when O'Brien, at great personal risk, went to their relief ; and this circumstance was commented upon in tenms of praise by the judge when passing sentence. The sentence was commuted to penal servitude for life, and some years later Mr. O'Brien was amnestied. He is now over 70, of patriarchal appearance, and one of the most kindly, gentle and unobtrusive men in the House, where his voice is seldom on never heard. Mr. W. Shiels, who is the power behind the throne in the new Victorian Ministry, is an Irishman, and arrived in Victoria when a child. Like his chief, Mr. Shiels is a barrister. Mr. Irvine, the new Premier of Victoria, is a lawyer, and a grand nephew of John Mitchell, the famous Irish patriot. Mr. Irvine was born in Newry, Ireland, in 1858, and is 44years of age. He was educated at the Royal School, Armagh, and at Trinity College, Dublin. He is a B A. of Dublin University, and M. A. and LL.M. of Melbourne. He came to Australia in 1879, was called to the bar in Melbourne in 1884, and entered Parliament in 1894 as member for Lowan, which constituency he has represented continuously ever since. London « Truth ' recalls that at the Coronation in 1831 the great row was about the homage, as when the ' ceremonial ' was submitted for approval to William IV. he vowed that nothing would induce him to go through the ordeal of being kissed by the bishops. His Majesty did not object to the salute of the Peers but he protested that he would sooner not be crowned than submit to being kissed by the prelates, and he ordered that part of the programme to be cut out. However, the Archbishop remonstrated vigorously and the king knocked under, but with a bad grace. A cable message states that a a knighthood has been conferred on Captain Russell. This is a. distinction that is well deserved, for the nominal leader of the Opposition is held in the highest esteem by all classes, and every one will admit that this is a well-merited recognition of public services extending over) a third of a century. Sir William Russell, M. H. R., is the son of Lieut-Colonel Andrew Hamilton Russell, and was born at Sandhurst, Berkshire, England, on November 12, 1838, so that he is in his sixtyfourlh year. When seven years of ago lie was brought to New Zealand by his father, and remained here until ho was ten, returning to England to Ihi educated. Having completed his education, he joined the army, and w<i.s successively Captain in the 58th and 14th regiments. He re-visited Now Zealand on military service in IH.-)7 and a&am in 1861. On the last occasion he decided to settle! here permanently and purchased an estate near Hastings, Hawke's Bay, where he .still resides. He was a member of the old Hawke's Bay Provincial Council, and on the abolition of the Provincial Governments ho was returned to the House of Representatives as member for the. district lie was Postmaster-Gene-ral of the fourth Atkinson Administration in 1884, and later on was Minister of Defence and Colonial Secretary. Since 1890 he has been practically the leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatncs, where his gentlemanly bearing and moderation have made him extremely popular with members of all shades of political opinion.