New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-15

In 1870 All three men are considerably six feet
in height and broad In proportion the remaining meni-
bcrs OF the MISSION namely Consul Berkeley and Lieu
tenant Arthur. Of the Rife Brigade also very tall
men, the only short member OF the staff being little
Major "Roddy- owen. The latter Is the foremost
gentleman rider on the English turf and only the other
day carried OF the blue ribbon at the Grind National.
Tie Major. | may add, has OF late become great
favortc In the Marlborough House set, and owes 10 the
influence Of the Prince. much anything else, his
appointment a member Of the mission ! do not
know either Mr.. Berkeley or Lieutenant Arthur per
sonally hut hear that they are both renowned for
their proves at Gymkhana meetings. Mr.. Berkeley
being especially noted for the time which he Is able to
make In hurdle incc while carrying n large number
81 eggs. Colonel Rhodes Is an officer Of the 1st ROYAL
Dragons and has recently been acting as military
secretary Of the Governor Of bombay The latter Is
Lord Harris, the well luovn cricletcr. and Colonel
Rhodes. who Is brother OF the Prime Minister Of Cap,
Colony Is quite as distinguished n crickeer as his late
chief
Sir Gerald Portal Is of the ucki"st and most
popular officers OF tho British diplomatic service, and
Is the youngest member either of the Order Of the Bath
or OF tie order OF It. Michael and st. George being
barely thirty years OF age. Within few months after
Joining the diplomatic service he found opportunity
of distinguishing himself a Alexandria, where, aS al
nt,nche Of the English Envoy, Sir Edward Male dur
ing the bombardmcnt. and the subsequent Anglo Etyp
tian war; he displayed considerable gaantry, discre
ton md zeal, much 90 that AT the close OF the opcr
atoms he received both the British medal and the
Khediyai bronze star. subsequently he acted rs
third, and then second, secretary Of the British
Mission Cairo. and became great favorite OF the
Envoy, sir Evelyn Barring who has sln.c become Lord
Cromer When therefore, became necessary to send
a mission to King John OF .\byssina, Lord Cromer at
once put forward the name OF young Portal. Accom-
panied only by subacrr officer of the 10th jiusslis.
he set out ii, adventurous journey from the Red
4l,-.l
highlands, and although he failed in the object of the
mission, the presence and of mind, the en-
durance and the which he displayed, such
that his return he was decorated by the Queen
with the Order OF the Bath. Among the amusing
features OF this TIP the fact that he presented
on his arrival the royal camp by King john with
robe OF honor made out Of some material which he him
self had brought to Abyssnla among the presents OF
the British Go crnmcnt for the King. and which ID
been stolen from him his way up the country BY
some of the Kings followers
A year or two aferward he appointed to the
duty Of temporarily replacing sir Charles Euan smith
rs Consul General and diplomatic agent at Zanzibar,
and made such good OF his time there that he sue
ccedcd In getting the sultan TO enact law abosng
slavery. This. OF couIsc for him the favor Of
the powerful and influential Anti+savery Society in
England aud when shortly afterward, Sir Charles was
promoted to the rank OF Minister TO Morocco. both the
government and the publ we're unanimous In desis.
hating Portal the man best uted 10 act as his sue
ccssor Accordingly he appointed Consul General
and diplomatic agent. with salary Of some $4,000 Il
year, besides numerous allowances.
Within year OF his appointment he negotiated the
subsection of the Zanzibar Sultanate to British pro.
tccturnte n reward for which he received from the
Queen the honor OF knlghthood and the Star Of the
order Of ST. Michael and ST. George lie Is now not
only Consiltcnera at Zanziba but also British High
Commissioner for all the northeastern part OF English
Africa, having immense number OF cOrsus, vice
consuls and deputy commissioners under his orders.
Indeed his government i vast and as extensive as
that of Of the great Indian presdences, and he al
ministers 1t with wonderful judgment and skill. What
now In store for him II he bring, his present
mission Uganda successful close IL is impossible
10 say but the future OF man who already. at the age
OF thirty has the honor OF knlghhOod. OF an In
| dependent diplomatic post. and OF "A sarapy as I'm
portant and extensive that Possessed by Gerry
| Portal, Is brilliant I'm the extreme
vounScr OF Mr.. Melville Portal. Of Laverstoke
House. Overflow who IS Of the most popular county
macnnes OF Hampshire, and OF Lady Charlotte Portal.
n daughter of the late Earl of Minto. SIR Gerald Is
married TO Lady Alice rtie daughter OF the seventh
Earl OF Adm 10n. one OF his brothers, l may aid Is
I'm the navy and present during the engagement
of the british cruiser shah with the Peruvian ironcEld
visitor 10 the United states and has rany frlels In
this city. rA-HI iANHr"
81 al, MAJ Yorl( ,onf rail- he's