The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-07-11
NOTED MEN AND WOMEN.
Anecdote and "Reminiscences,

SSSSSSsSSSsSSSS SSSSSSSSSSSO
In 1899 Como, Italy, the birthplace
OF Alessandro Volta. will celebrate the
hundredth anniversary of his invention
OF the voltaic battery.
Some English reviewers have
named Herbert Spencer and James
Bryce as the possible authors of the
reply to Max Nordau. entitled "Regener-
ation."
1t is computed by a statistician of
the curious that Queen Victoria's hand,
which is said to be a handsome one, has
signed more important state papers and
been kissed by more important men than
the hand of any other woman that ever
lived.
&C. G. Starbuck suggests in The New
World that statue of Bartholomew de
Las Casas be erected in Washington.
Las Casas was Spanish Dominican
priest, who came to this country as a
missionary in 1902, and who denounced
the cruelty with which the Indians were
treated.
The election of FREDERICK Errazuriz
as President of Chill has been effected,
peacefully and legally. That it would
be done was long ago reckoned fore
gone conclusion. There was really no
serious opposition to him. Other can
didates were in the field, but with merely
nominal support.
Horace M. Pym. editor of the Jour
malls of Caroline Fox, is dead. His libra
ry contained among its many treasures
a copy Of Thucydides. inscribed in pen
Gil. William M. Thackeray, Charter
house, 1927" and bearing on the cover
what was, perhaps, the novelist's first
attempt at verse.
Alfred Austin, the English poet
laureate, will deliver an Grafton at the
unwilling of bronze statue of Robert
Burns at Irvine on July IS. On the
centenary anniversary of the poets
death. July 81. there will be great
Burns demonstration in ST. Andrews
Hall. Glasgow. at which Lord Rosebery
will make the address.
Mr.. Anstey. the author Of "Vice
Versa" tells story to illustrate the in
appropriate way in which Scripture
texts are sometimes used. At small
seaside resort in England a generous
citizen presented number of free seats
for the promenade each adorned with an
iron label stating that "Mr. Jones, of
this town. presented these seats for the
public use. The sea i his and he made
it,"
1t is told of Lord Kelvin that during
a long course of lectures on magnetism
his characteristic definition of an ideal
magnet as ian infinitely long, infinitely
thin. uniform, and uniformly and longi-
tudinally magnetized bar" was received
with applause, which drew a sharp
silence from the professor. Before
the end of the session the definition and
reprimand had been 30 often repeated
that the students one day, through acct
dent or design, did not respond. Lord
Kelvin. however, through force of habit,
cried out SILENCE" all the same.
"A great loss has befallen Liberal
Professionalism in Switzerland by the
death of the venerable Dean of the Fac
ulty of Theology in the University of
Geneva. Professor Cougnard. He was
one of the two most eloquent of all the
Swiss preachers of the last forty years;
and, in his University classes, taught
very ably the art of composing effective
sermons. In the ecclesiastic struggle
between Liberals and Orthodox in the
canton of Geneva, quarter of a cen.
fury ago, his glowing advocacy did much
to secure the triumph which the Liber-
ais won.
-Lecky, the historian, is an object of
much amused interest to his fellow mem
bers OF parliament. and they like to see
him struggle with the practical details
of political work. The other day he had
to act as teller while vote was taking
no one of the clauses of the bene6ces bill
and is described as appearing 30 "help.
less and childlike' as to be quite out of
keeping with his surroundings. Tho
way he Rugged his hat was pathetic to
look upon. Tellers do not as rule carry
their hats, but Mr.. Lecky nursed his
headgear with conspicuously careful So
licitude. and it almost made him forget
to bow to the speaker.
There was a pleasant incident at
the commencement exercises at Kenyon
College, Gambler, Ohio. The president
interrupted the proceedings to announce
that they had just been informed that
son of the famous and revered Bishop
Philander Chase. the founder of the col
lege, was present in the audience. At
once the entire assemblage arose to it's
feet and began cheering, nor would it be
satisfied until the gentleman who had
been referred to, the Rev. Dudley Chase.
advanced to the platform and made an
impromptu address. Mr. Chase is re-
tired chaplain of the United States
Army. and lives in Philadelphia.