Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1893-05-27
ODDITIES or NOTED PEOPLE.
of Men Whose Name,
Shine In History

Eccentricties of Men Whose Names
Shine in History.
George ~. was fond Of low practical
jokes, says the ST Louis Globe-Demo
GRAFT and on one occasion came near
being thrashed by a companion whom
he pushed into the water.
Herschel, the astronomer had been
a player in a Prussian regimental band,
and often, in his old age. set his neigh
bors' teeth on edge with huutbcy.
Pennants the great traveller, hated
wigs, and got into innumerable broils
by snatching off the head covering of
every man he met who wore n wig.
The great painter Razzl filed his
house with all sorts Of animals and
taught his raven TO cry Come In" when
there was a knock MT the door
Queen Anne of England was extreme
ly fond Of brandy, and her face be-
came so bloated that among the popu-
lace she was known as Brandy Faced
Nan"
Both Pope and Campbell were nc.
cuStomed to ring for pens, ink and tea
at unreasonable hours of the night
that they might record the thoughts
that occurred to them
Cowper loved pets ar1 had at one
time five rabbits, three harcs, two
guinea pigs a magpie, a jay, startling
two canary birds two dogs, a retired
cat and n squirrel
Coleridge found a solace for his trou-
blcs IN No forGvtI Illness induced by
opium. and when under Its influence
would sit for hours threading the
dreamy mazes Of his own mind.
Mozart always kept his note book
in his pocket, ana while walking or
playing billiards, his fivortc amuse.
r,"nt, would often stop to jot down
melody that occurred to him
Macaulay took his Sunday dinner
alone at a coffee house After dinner
h. would build Il pyramid Of wine
s. which usually toppled over.
He would pay for the broken glass and
20
Diocetian after his abdication spent
his leisure in gardening IF you could
see the cabbages | raise" he said to
a deputation, you would not ask me
resume the crown"
Kant the German philosopher was
fond Of walking, but was so fearful
Of contracting some infectious disease
that he always walked with his lips
closed and his handkerchief over his
nose.
Sheridan spent his leisure in manu-
featuring clever rcpartees and funny
sayings, and after going into company
would lead up the conversation TO a
point which they could be worked Off
as impromptu,
SuwarTows, the Russian general was
fond Of jewelry, and always carried
about him n bag Of unset diamonds.
At night, when seated by his camp
fire, he would take them out and enjoy
their brilliuncy.
David the artist, when not painting,
amused himself by scraping an old fd-
die, which he did abominably lie
would insist on playing for every visitor,
and often exclaimed; "Oh, If had on
~ been born a violinist"
ByrOn's household, according TO Shell
ley, consisted, besides servants, Of ten
horses, eight enormous dogs, three
monkeys five cats, a crow and a fal-
con, and all except the horses went to
and fro In the house at their pleasure.
Turner, the painter, would, Saturday
n, put 6 note in his pocket, dress
himself in q suit Of rough clothes, and
disappear till morning. After his death
il was discovered that be spent the
intervening time in carousal n a sail
ors drinking house.
Emmanuel Bach's favorlte diversion
was organ playing, and on more than
one occasion at church service he for
got himself and played 50 long that the
preacher who was waiting 10 begin
his sermon, was forced to send a mes
senger to him to obige him to stop
Beethoven was fond Of bathing, and,
while doing SO, would splash the va
ter over the floor SO that it ran down
into the rooms below. While com
posing he would howl and groan IN the
most dismal manner, SO that the neigh
bOrs complained, and he was frequently
obliged on this account TO change his
lodgings