The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-01-09
WELL KNOWN PERSONS.


as public reader. She reads only from
her fathers writings.
The most substantial memorial of the
Victorian jubilee will be the Victoria
Hospital for Children, which is to be built
in London to commemorate the sixtieth
year of the Queens reign 1t is the only
hospital in London that bears her name
1t is said that the highest paid choir
singers in the world are two American
ladies, Miss Clementina De We're, at the
Paxton Church in New York, who receives
81, 500 year, and Miss Dutton, at a Bap-
fist church in the same city, who receives
SO, 900.
If the stories told of his wealth are
true, Congressman Sprague, the new rep
resentative from the 18th Massachusetts
district, will be the richest member of the
house. His wife is said to possess $685.
000,0 A good slice of this will be need
ed to keep house in Washington
The Japan Mail (Yokohama), says:
eve understand that the chair of English
literature in the Imperial university is to
be filled by Mr.. Lafcadio Hearn Profess
sor Wood, it's hitherto occupant, being
about to return to the United States The
university is very fortunate in obtaining
the services of literary star like Mr..
Hearn. Our readers may not be aware
that Nh. Hearn is naturalized Japanese,
and that, in the country of his adoption,
ne is known as Mr.. Iwaizumi Yakumo''
Mr.. G. J. London, the well-known
horticulturist (whose handwriting was
VIGOROUSLY bad), once wrote to the old
Duke of wellington, asking permission to
inspect his Walmer beeches-the beech
avenue at Walmer Castle being famous.
"Bless me!'' said the Duke, II wonder
what the Bishop of London wants with
my Waterloo breeches.' - However, with
military promptitude, he rang for Con
slant, his valet, and ordered him to take
those articles to the Bishop of London.
Stupefaction of the Bishop!
The windows of an old shoemaker's
cottage at Olney looked into the garden
containing the bower in which Cowper
wrote '"The Task and most of his hymns
and the old man at his work used to hum
the tune of Ludlow Cowper was taken
with it and wrote the hymn, ooh, for
closer walk with God :" to suit it, and
often walked up and down the garden to
hear it sung. DIR. John Ker relates this
anecdote in one of his newly published
letters. He picked it up on visit which
he paid to Olney, and intensely enjoyed,
in the spring of 1880.
1t has been recently stated that the
original manuscript of the famous hymn
America" is owned by Pope Leo This
statement is not correct. Pope Leo has
only copy of america written by its
author. The original of the famous hymn
is in the hands of Mr.. S. F. Smith, of
Davenport, Iowa, son of Dr. Smith, who
is his executor. 1t may be interesting to
state once more that the original is written
on the backs of envelopes in the most in
formal sort of way, the author having no
idea at the time of its composition, that
his verses would have worldwide fame.
The famous Kohinoor diamond, one of
the crown jewels of England once had a
narrow escape from being lost. 1t was
committed to the care of Sir John Law
forgot it. When it was called for, six
weeks after, he was in great trepidation,
but going to his old bearer he asked him
if he had small box that was in his waist
coat pocket some time since. The old man
produced it from an old tin box, wrapped
up in rags, saying, ''There is nothing here
but bit of glass; - The relief of Lawrence
may be imagined, perhaps, but not de-
scribed.
The death of Alexander Salvini, in
Italy, is a distinct loss to the American
stage. He was only 35 years old and he
had not yet played any parts which will
not probably be as well done by other ac-
tors at various times, but he was an actor
by instinct and intuition. The youth of
Salvini gave hot impetuosity, gallant
grace, and Astounding passion. Mental
grasp, elegance of style and distinction are
qualities which come with maturity, and
there is every reason to suppose that they
would have come with the maturity of this
earnest and ambitious young man and have
fitted him for the portrayal of parts which
are seldom acted, because few men can act
them well.
Speaking of Gladstone and Bismarck
the Guardian Hondon) makes this con-
trast: ''Mr Gladstone has betrayed no
State secrets, has worried no old antago-
nists, has thrown stones in the path of DO
responsible statesmen" On the other
hand, Prince Bismarck at F'riedrichsruhe
lives in perpetual state of effervescence.
His life of retirement seems uncomfortable:
through newspapers he is forever fling
ing fireworks about which keep the gem
eral anticipation on the stretch and now
and then varies the entertainment with
veritable bomb. The Englishman retains
the respect and admiration even of his
opponents; the German exposes himself
to the hercest attacks, and is losing the
regard even of his supporters.
Mrs Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward,
in her charming sketches of her own life,
in McClure's Magazine, pleads impress
sively for sympathy for the invalid, who
cannot possibly endure that which the
vigorous person may find a source of
special delight. There is much practical
wisdom in this note which she gives from
letter written to her by Oliver Wendell
Holmes:
II find that a cold draught of air, a late
supper bad air, and perhaps l might add
ANYTHING of any kind that fatigues saw