The Washington times., 1901-09-04


who seems to find existence in semi-cap-
tivity more satisfying than the poor
1 Queen Ranavalo. The ex-King of Da-
I homy. Behanzin, has for some years now
been confined in the fortress of Tartan
son on the Island of Martinique and ap-
pears to find life there very comfortable
| Sharing his captivity are his wives and
| large family of children and his former
Prime Minister and chief favortes. many
of whom seem to have shown a fidelity
| to the dethroned monarch that one would
| hardly expect of a savage African race
Among these he lives in the greatest
state and is treated by them with all the
Difference due to his former exalted posi-
/ ton Behanzin is type of the happy
| go-lucky African, who is jolly and con-
tented under any conditions. His little
! court feeds his personal vanity, he has
| plenty to eat and drink, and the present
of box of cigars or a case of champagne
completes the measure OF his happiness.
| He is described big, stout. very
| black negro, enjoying superb health, with
! an open. smiling countenance and eX-
pressive eyes. The seven years of his cap
tivity have been spent largely in smok-
| ing and in watching his women dance. He
has managed to learn few words of
French, sufficient to exchange courteses
with the Governor of the island, on whom
he never fails to pay weekly visit.
Sir William Harcourt is in communica-
tion with high authorities on the subject
of obtaining recognition for gallant little
Wales in the royal coat-of-arms. accord
ing to the London Telegraph" Upon the
accession of King Edward VII a move
ment was set on foot in Wales to have
the principality acknowledged in the arms
of the sovereign. While the matter was
courteously considered. it was pointed out
81 ha frfnTr OF tir.9l 10
the ancient order of things were disturbed
in favor of Wales the colonies and India
would seize the opportunity of putting in
q claim. ON Sir William Haroourt flashed
a happy thought. Why not find honorable
recognition of Wales in the coat-Of-arms
of its own Prncc2 The arms of the
Prince of Wales differ from those of the
sovereign mainly in respect to the intro
duction in the centre of an csCutcheon Of
the arms of the royal House of SaNony.
Around il, as in the royal arms, appear in
the first and fourth gulcS three lions pas
SAINT gardant. in the second a lion ram
pant, and in the third the harp that once
through Taras han the soul of music
shed. These severally represented Eng
land. Scotland. and Ireland The support
ers of the arms are the British lion and
the unicorn. The suggestion now under
consideration in high quarters is that for
Prince of Wales shall be substituted the
dragon of Wales. This will be quite as
picturesque and much more appropriate.
Mr. John Howard Parnell, brother of
the late Charles 5. Parnell, NJ. p, has
addressed an appeal to the Irish public
for assistance to enable him to retain the
library, furniture. and curios at Avon
dale the Parnen family seat The Eng
lsh Court of Chancery has ordered o
sale of these goods, and they belonged
to the late Irish leader Mr.. ParnelI asks
that they should not be allowed to go out
of the country. Il do not know he
writes. eff the people know the history of
Avondale and its surroundings; but Col
Samuel Hayes. of Avondale, in 1850 own
ed and took great interest in the place
He built Avondalc in l1I7, grew all the
trees built the old dock. etc. He knew
Sir John ParneH tmy numeSake), famous
in the old Irish House OF Commons, a
near relative of ours, and one who stood
up for Irish prosperity, and who was Of
fered Il peeraSe II he would vote for the
destruction of the house, which he re
fused to do. | have an old will now of
Colonel Hayes, leaving Avondale and the
property TO his great friend Sir John Par
nell Those two were great lovers of for
estry and horticulture; hence the great
friendship" Mr.. John Howard Parnells
mother was Della. a daughter Of Capt.
c. Stewart United States Navy.