New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-27

I
for 15Oo rupees. and the surgeon after~ard
realized a great sum from the sale Of the stones
Elers adds that ne gaze the soldier an annuity
which the man did not live long to enjoy
Civilians as well as soldiers rapidly won
fortunes in those days In India Elers Instances
James Balfour who made a tremendous anounI
OF money in four years in supplying proVSlonS
to the navy. and who then returned to Eng
land bought a fine house in London. married an
earI's daughter and went into Parliament Bur
with his fortune the bold BritOn often look
sadly wrecked health back to his native coun-
try. Ten years of service under those burning
skies sent Elers home at twenty-nine. not
broken down. but gray haired and wrinkled.
and with skin between the cOlOrS of an orange
and a lemon: but he soon bIOOIned forth into a
popular man about town. with all his lhdlah
hardships forgotten The records OF TINS perlOu
are filled with gossip and anecdOte- HIS pictures
Of English society well worth preserVauoh'
as are his descriptions of certain eccentric per
sonages. One of the greatest oddities he ever
knew. he says was Major Wilson. afterward
Lord Berners. This old gentleman was de-
scended in the female line from Thomas OF
Woodstock Duke Of Gloucester but he rarely
mentioned this royal ancestry. He was dining
with the Duke of Rutland one day. when the
duke happened TO say hat he was descended
from the PlantaEenets and bore the royal arms
in his shield The old major, who looked Ike .
plain country gentleman. said 1 am also Ce-
seconded from the PIantageuets and can quarter
the royal arms too The company all stared
incredulOus However he removed all doubt on
the subject by producing his pedigree the next
time he came to BeIvoir Castle" The major
was a very rich man, but he habitually wore
threadbare old clothes-albeit they we're clean
and a hat with a torn brim He was q strangely
silent soul. and a kind soul with al his oddlty-
EIers describes a curious scene between him and
an old-a very old-gardener. who had lived
with his father and had known the major from
a boy. The major was very fond Of straw
berries and one day after dinner he fell in with
the venerable old gardener toddling about Why
don't you let have more straw berrleSF YOU
have enough But l win have more tell
you you have enough and would not let your
old father have more if he was here The old
gardener thought he still talking TO little
Master Wilson fifty years back. The major dld
not dispute the point further. but turned away
smiling"
Concerning royalty Elers has various tales,
not all observation-disclosures those Of the Duke OF
Clarence afterward William ". The dandy
Aston was a friend Of George. the Prince Of
Wales. but he heartily disIiked the duke.
averring that he never by chance or accident
spoke the truth. IL is said that his highness
once met the colonel in St. James's-st. and
inquired which way he was going. First tell
me-" said Aston. which way you are going"
"Oh / am going down st. James S-st." Are
you ?" said Aston. In that case am going up.
Good morning" If the prime knew of AstOn'S
contempt for his brother he did not resent it. as
in the case Of Colonel CaIcraft who told Elers
this story:
When CaIcraft was in England. on leave OF
absence. he attended most Of the fashionable
parties where the Prince of Wales in the
habit of going. At that time the Duchess Of
Cumberland save large supper parties. previous
to which faro and other games of chance were
played by the young men of fashion, and Cal
craft used to act CTOupier for the duchess
one night after supper the Duke of Clarence,
who that time had very bOisterOus spirits,
suddenly attacked Calcraft. asking him 20 drink
a glass of wine and making use toward him of
most offensive expression The ladies all stared.
and the duke again applied the offensive ap-
pellatiOn. n dead silence took place when Cal
. craft rose, and, addressing II. r. H.. said that
whatever the difference there might be with re-
spect to their rank he would not allow such Of
fensive expressions to be applied 70 him. and
that if II. K II. again made of them con-
sequences would enSue very unpleasant TO both
of them. The Prince of Wales, who happened to
be present at supper, got up. and in his dsnihed
manner said: MIR. CalCraft. 1 insist that YOU
instantly leave he room. Any disreSpectfuI
language applied to my brother in my presence
1 consider as an insult to myself Poor Cal
craft was Obliged to leave the room. The next
and all his particular friends were of course in
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