New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-23
PERSONAL

At recent Royal ball In London the young Duchess
of Portland wore beautiful white and silver broc AIDE
gown trimmed with silver thstles necklace OF
pearls and sapphres and diamond and sapphire TIARA
1t really amusing to the Duke watrh her dance
with Prince Albert Victor so proud was he OF the
admiration she commanded.
Herr Wolff the vlolnist recently told how he OBJ
tanned the instrument on which he plays. " 1t YVES
present from the Due de Camposellce. l was IN
troduced to the Duke at his house IN Paris one
evening, and was asked to play ! told the Duke
that, unfortunately, had not my instrument with
me. Never mind, be replied. choose one OF mlne,'
the Duke having remarkably fine collection l
chose what thought TO be one of the best insrll-
ments aud played several pieces. When l had
finished, the Duke and said. Monsieur Wolh
allow me to present you with the instrument on which
you have played The Duke l atterward learned,
added NJ Wolff. lovingly handling the violin, "vaue
1t almost much as my lie. lt has me famous
Cremona vatnsh although its maker Is unknown"
Recent references to the origin Of the Stars and
Stripes recall the fact that the present form Of tho
National flag was decided upon by Congressional
committee in consultation with Captain Samuel Chester
Reid of This city The latter, who distinguished
naval officer suggested the design, and Mrs Reid.
assisted by several OF her friends, made the first
flag. It was handsome fabric, of silk. and was
displayed In the House of Representatives on April
49, isis Captain Reid who died IN 1851 sis th nSe
Eavage the Irish poet who died last year the second
IL the wife Of General L. T. dl Cesnola director OF
the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the third Is the
wife Of Mr. q. N. saunders. Of Kentucky.
A particularly humane little body Nile Nikita,
the American prima donna, Is SHOWN by all in
cldent of her last visit 10 Prague. Opposite her hoS
was high tower-part Of the Old batlements Of the
town-wlth several statues al the summit. One day
tLe Young singer was standing the piazza when
she fancIcd she saw a bird utering Its wings among
the statues. Fetching her opera glass Nikta deserted
dove eniangled I'm the stonew0rk. and could plainly
see blood rlckling from one of Its limbs Her pity
aroused, Nlklta sent word - the commissl0naire al
the hotel entrance that she would give him fifteen
noifns II he would fetch the bird down. The man re-
Piled that he would gladly Obligc Madempls"lle, but
he was afraid of njuing the Stauary, which he dared
not do. A message 10 the Mayor brought reply
more ornate I'm form, but very similar IN effect.
Militia was III despair the poor bird was bleeding n
death and she cUul Dc nothing. The next morning
she induced the fire brigade promising to indemnify
them for any damage done to the statues, to bring
their escape to the spot. But it was too short to
reach the summit g, a." tower. which was about 300
feet high and could only lie galnei BY perilous
climb. large crowd had gatheIe:. having heard
Il the strarsc acrtL If the " Lng ard farious TO-
ri:p singer Nikita was sorlowfur thinking thai
tie dove must be abandoned 10 rs TATE. when young
workman rushed up ~ her aud offered TO make the
ascent. Almost before Nkiia could accept his ser
vices he was mounting the ladder and climbing 10 the
summit Having secured the wounded dJVc he had
be let down by roIe'. The descent was safely ac-
nlared the bird gently In her hand. Nlklta, full
Of gratitude, took OFT diamond ring from her finger
and gave II TO the delighted workman. Nlkta tended
The bind for fortnight, aud then having IA lcavs
Prague and the dove being well she allowed il the
liberty It had nearly lost with its llle.