The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1888-08-10
SONS OF ADAM.

SONS " A1RM.
Newspaper Comment Concerning Men Of
Note-Personal Mention.
Mr.. Walter Besant is a small, animated,
bright eyed and black haired man, fond OF
the theatre, claret and a pipe. ...
Riax Pasha, the new prime minister Of
Egypt, is a Mohammedan. His predecessor,
Nubar Pasha, was an Armenian Christian.
Longfellow, the poet, was once a member
of the old Portland Rifles" and paraded in
. brilliant green uniform. But he soon
found that his natural vocation was to sing
rather than fight.
The father of Mr. Blackburne, the great
chess player, is a professional phrenologist,
and predicted of his son, when the latter was
. child, that he would become exceedingly
proficient in chess.
Paul Rajon, the celebrated etcher, died in
his country seat at Anvers-sur-O Disc several
weeks ago. He had just returned from a
very successful trip in America, where he
had etched many portraits, including that Of
Mrs. Cleveland.
Last fall bug few into the ear of Henry
Bolton, OF Frederick township, Montgomery
county, Pa, rendering him entirely deaf on
that side. A few days ago the bug dropped
out and his hearing almost Immediately re-
turned.
King Kalakaua, the versatile monarch Of
the Sandwich Islands, has written learned
treatise OH the Diametrical Physiognomy Of
the Earth. The article is based on observa-
tions Of the volcanic phenomena for which
the Hawaiian group is noted.
Uncle Elias Harper, Of Blakely, Ca, is "a
years old, but still quite hale and active. He
q veteran of the war of 1879 and preserves
a. keepsake a Spanish dollar, minted in
TIT, the first money he received for bis SER
vices.
Mayor Filter, of Philadelphia, is a rope
maker, and he sometimes exhibits to his
friends a curious rope cable that he keeps in
his Office. II is made Of hangmen's ropes,
each strand having been taken from a rope
by which some poor criminals neck was
broken.
Count Maurice Esterhazy has been put un-
der guardianship to check his mad extrava-
gance. He owns, free and clear Of incum-
brances, more than 5000 acres Of land in
Hungary, and can travel in a straight line
more than fifty miles without quitting his
estate.
Seabrin Storke, an eccentric old cobbler in
Jefferson, Ga, who still keeps at his trade,
although 80 years old, is a veteran of three
wars. He beat drum in Jackson's army at
the battle of New Orleans, fought in the
Mexican war and served with credit through
the war Of the rebellion. Despite his ad-
vanced age he makes as good a shoe as any
shoemaker in the state.
While the emperor of Brazil was iii in
Milan his estimated expenses were 100000
francs The regular hotel bill was 1000
francs a day, but on account of his illness
other guests had 30 leave. and for thirty-ive
days the cost was *, 900 francs A physician
from Paris made two trips to Milan for
5000 francs, two Italian doctors were paid
ZOO francs a day, and he had to give a lot
Of fees.
For some time past Mr.. W. D. Howells has
abandoned pen and pencil in his literary
compositions, using the type writer instead
Mr.. Howells sits back leisurely in his chair
thinks out his train of thought, carefully
fashions his sentence and as each is COM
pleted transmits it to paper, striking the keys
with one hand. Many other authors are fol-
lowing Mr.. Howells' example, but for a long
time there was a prejudice among literary
people against the type writer. They imagined
that work done with it was stihed and formal
This opinion has since been abandoned by
many writers.
A curious story anent the Japanese en-
peror's opinion Of dancing is told by The
Toxic Dempo. That journal relates that re-
Gently a minister of state, while in audience,
touched upon the subject Of dancing, where
upon his majesty expressed the opinion that
the prevalence of such a voluptuous custom
was O sure indication of the decay Of the
nation. The state minister in question, hear
ing his majesty express such strong views on
the subject, upon retiring from his presence
Immediately gave private orders to those en-
gagged in the construction Of the new palace
to dismantle the dancing saloon in the new
building, which was already completed.
Mr.. W. H. II. Murray has started on an
exploring and hunting expedition in the
most secluded and least visited regions of the
Rockies, north Of the Canadian line. He will
be gone about six months and intends to
cover about {, 600 miles in the saddle, visiting
regions as yet UNEMPLOYED. The Canadian
government has granted him the protection
and assistance Of the mounted police and the
Hudson Bay company has given his expedi-
ton its support. An experienced artist will
60 with him for the purpose Of procuring
illustrations to accompany his letters for
the press and his magazine articles. A great
part Of his explorations will be in the valley
Of the Peace river, of which even the Cana
dian government knows almost nothing.
This region lies about dogs north of the
Canadian line and east Of the Selkirks