Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1891-01-07
TODD OF GREAT MEN.
Curious INCIDENTS landed Down
by Biographies.

Wellington, just before the attack on
st. Sebastian, in Spain, found that the
preaching batteries would not be ready
to open the attack for Two hours.
THE best thing we can do" he said,
rs TO Sleep" and slipping off his horse
into trench he was asleep in an in
slant.
Lord Chesterfield was universally re-
gardcd as one of the most polished gen.
tlemen in the English court in tho last
century. His manners were faultless
and the grace of his bearing was inim-
liable. But he gives a comical account
of tho first party he attended. uo was
thoroughly uncomfortable, knowing nei-
thcr what to do or say. At length,
growing despcrateand feeling that some
thing must be done, he addressed
beautiful lady near by, and added force
to tho question by energetically clasping
both hands.
Madam, don't you find it very warm
Tonight"
1t was not a promising beginning for
the man who became the first wit of his
age.
Historians always stop to describe the
uO VI hO1l diu Uilc TWO
opposing commanders in the battle of
Quebec. But their deaths were simply
heroic compared with tho Christian
death of Stoncwall jackson.
About 1:30 on the day of his death he
was told that he had two hours to live,
and he answered fecbly, but firmly:
Very good; it is all right"
A few moments before he died he
cried out in his dclirium: Order A. p.
Hill to prepare for action. Pass the in
fantry to the front rapidly. Tell Major
Hawks" then stopped, leaving the SEN
tence unfinished.
Presently 4 smile of incffablc sweet
ness spread itself over his pale face and
then he said quietly and with an express
sion Of relief: "Let us cross over the
river and rest under the shade of the
trees" And then, without pain or the
least struggle, his spirit passed.
Probably Mozart was the greatest
musical genius the world ever saw, and
some of the stories of his prccocity
seem almost supernatural. At four he
could retain in memory tho brilliant
solos in the concertos which he heard and
his father began half in sport to glvo
him lessons. The musical faculty seems
to have been intuitivo in him; for in
learning to play he learned to compose
at the Same time, his own nature dis
covering to him some important secrets
in melody, rhythm, symmetry, and tho
art of setting bass.
To learn minuet he required half an
hour, for q longer piece an hour, and
houincr tlnD, hn MI
them with perfect neatness and in exact
time. His progress was so great that at
four years of age, or earlier, he COM
posed little pieces, which his father
wrote down for him. Later, Gin music
no aStonishcd his teacher. not SO much
by an avidity for information as by the
impossibility OF telling him any thing
that he did not know before. At tho
age of six Mozart knew tho effect Of
sounds as represented by notes and had
overcome tho difficulty of composing I'M
aided by an instrument. Having COM
mcnccd composition with recourse to
the clavicr, his powers in mental music
constantly increased and he soon i'm
agincd effects of which the original
typo existed only in his BRAIN"
i TIC Larl OIL SncSGcFUClH was Called
the first gentleman Of his age. 1t was a
cardinal point of etiquette with him
never to exhibit i'll temper in company
or be romiss in courtesy to any guest.
But he was sometimes sorely tried by
the rudo and awkward manners Of his
son, Philip Stanhopc, whom no tried In
vain to educate to gentlcmanly habits.
Philip was a great gluston and could
not restrain his appetite oven in com.
| pany. On ono occasion, whom his father
had invited large number Of titled
guests, an elegant entertainment was
provided. Ono Of tho raro dishes was q
| platter of baked gooscborries, showed
over with rich cream. Philip had been
helped bountifully by Lady Chesterfield
who know his weakness. But whom O
: servant was taking out the dish in clear
ing the table Philip beckoned to him
and taking it in his hand began to lar
up grcodily tho rich cream. Lord Ches
tcrhcld was disguised, but without 9
change Of face or voice to indicate the
Il