The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1908-11-13
TALES OF

JOSEPH WOLFF, MISSIONARY.
The death of the Right Hon. Sir
Henry Drummond Wolff, P. c., G. c..
B., G. C. NJ. G., at the age Of seventy
eight, brings us into close touch with
a past generation. His godfather, af-
ter whom he WAS named, was Henry
D-ummcnd, one of the founders Of
the" "Catholic Apostolic Church." COM
monty called the Irvlngites. In fact,
his father first met Lady GeoTgiana
WalpoIe In the house of Edward Irv-
ing. She was the granddaughter Of
the English statesman, Robert Wal
pole. Sir Henry's father was Jos
eph Wolff, missionary" as he loved
to style himself. who is beyond Ques-
ton the most unique figure in the gal
lery of foreign eyangelfsts, and who
in some respects may be considered
an Anglo-Americau production. He
visited New York in August. 1897,
and he was the guest Of Mr.. -Stuy-
vesant, most excellent citizen" by
whom he was introduced to Bishop
George Washington Doane at Tren-
gyman of the Episcopal Church by
Bishop Doane, and created a doctor
of divinity by the ancient foundation
of st. Johns College, Annapolis. His
volume Of missionary travels, which
is most remarkable record, was ded-
icated to Mr.. Gladstone.
The late Sir Henry was not partic-
ularly proud of his Israelltish ances-
try, much to the disgust of Disraeli,
who was always proud Of his own. 1t
was thought at one time that Sir
Henry would become prominent fig
ure in the East, but after serving in
Persia and Turkey he found a more
congenlal position in Spain, where
for some time he represented the
British Government. In the year
1880, when Henry Drummond was
born, his father was merely Jewish
adventurer. After his travels in Per-
sia Joseph Wolff was lionized in Lon
don, and became the guest Of the sec
ond Lord Oxford. Here he -captivated
the heart of the Earl's young daugh-
ter. The noble Earl Of the house of
Walpole was irate, and sent for JOS
eph, and wanted to know how 4
mere upstart" could aspire to the
hand of a noblemans daughter.
Joseph Wolff, missionary" was
equal to the occasion. Taking out Of
his pocket long roll of parchment,
he read his pedigree tep by step to
David, King OF Israel" Now, my
lord, we will compare pedigrees, If
you like" he exclaimed. Joseph, :"
said his lordship, you are the stran-
gest being in existence, and as Lady
Georgiana- is evidently in love with
you l suppose You must take her."
1t was after his marriage that JOS
eph Wolff made his notable journey
to Bokhara, thus, as it was said, put
ting his head into the jaws of the
lion, for the Ameer has put to death
the British ENJOYS Stoddart and Con-
molly because they refused to pros
trate themselves in his presence. On
his arrival Joseph asked how many
times he must PROSTATE himself be-
fore the Ameer. He was told three
times. He replied, Il shall PROSTATE
myself thirty times" Putting on his
red silk doctors gown and placing
over it his doctors black and crimson
hood, with the shovel hat of a church
dignitary on his head, he slowly
crawled along the floor to the feet of
the Ameer, and then reverently
placed his head beneath the sole of
the Ameer's foot, exciaimlng in Per
sian, Asylum of the universe! Peace
b1 to the King" The Ameer burst
into a fit of laughter, and said:
"Stand UP and let me have look at
you" Looking at him closely and
examining his robes, the Ameer ex-
claimed: Thou star with a tail IRE
ferring to the doctors hood, thou
are not like Jew, Christian nor a
Hindu, nor Russian, nor an Usbeck.
Thou art of thy own kind. Thou art
Joseph Wolff"
VOLTS visit to Bokhara has been
admitted on ali sides to be one OF the
bravest deeds ever accomplished in
Oriental travel.
This was in the year 1S43, and
remember as boy my parents speak
ing of DR.. VOLTS story as a pure fab
rication. But in after years had
an opportunity of Investigating his
wonderful narratives On the spot, and
l know of no story OF travel more
graphic than The Travels OF Joseph
Wolff, Missionary" Strange to say
when in England, l found his sor
Sir Henry, determined to avoid the
act.-AngIo-Afghan, in the New
- Sun.
A GREAT FIRE" OF long AGO
The recent disastrous fire at Chel-