New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-21

having given up his time TO soldlerlhF'
serving with distinction in south Africa
and holding a commission Of captain H. the
Irish Guards But with the blood IN MS
veins, and considering the surroundihes
amid which he has been reared from MS
earliest boyhood. It would be surprising II
he did not. too, later on, contribute MS
share to the fame OF his family as a pne-
nomenal explorer or scientist
Both the late earl and his brother. Charles
Parsons. of turbine fame. We're always
prominent figures at tho annual meetings
Of the British Association for the Advance
ment Of Science. and some years ago they
joir tly submitted 70 the association
scheme for the sinking OF a shaft to the
distance Of twelve miles or more into the
bowels OF the earth. for the purpose OF
making a scientific exploration of its lower
depths. They estimated that about $500
COO would be required for the purpose and
that the work would take about fifty years.
To the late Lord Rose, and 20 his brother
Charles. too. are due the conception Of the
new patent legislation in the United King
dom, which has created during the last few
years such a revolution in the industrial
and commercial world.
The late Lord Rose. ike his father be-
fore him, was chancellor Of Trinity Uni
versity, Dublin, and president Of the
Royal Irish Academy, and was probably
the only peer Of the realm who included
among the permanent members Of his
! household a private astronomer. the
! learned DR.. Otto Boeddicher. Of Gottingen
! University. with whom he was wont 10
spend many long nights exploring the
l.. oil ma
| erected by the third earl az Birr Castle.
| the ancestral home al Parsons Town, and
which telescope remains to-day after the
/ lapse Of more than half a century, the
! largest in the world. superior in size TO
| the Lick telescope I'm California.
| Birr Castle has been the home Of the Par
senses ever since this old English family
/ settled in Ireland. IN the reign OF Queen
| Elizabeth. II is a fine old place, with moat,
/ portcullis and drawbridge. which call 70
mind the celebrated siege OF the castle
! after the revolution of 1855, when William
! Parsons. its then owner, with his tenan,ry,
! successfully withstood a siege OF fifteen
months by the troops OF James II, under
! General Sarsfeld.
In some Of the outer walls OF the castle
are still TO be seen imbedded IN the stone
1 and mortar cannon balls discharged by
| Sarsfelds artillery during the siege.
/ Lecky. the historian, has much TO say Of
| the Parsons family in the reign of the
early Stuarts and II is not altogether COM
plimentary. But it IS only fair TO add that
| the present Earl Of Rose bears a title Of
! a different creation, and is not descended
| from but merely related as a collateral 20
the Lord Rose of the reign OF Charles H..
Blrr Castle may be said 70 stand almost
in the midst OF Parsons Town, founded by
| the Parsons family. the houses Of the
town being built almost right up 10 the
main entrance. The place is crowded with
all sorts Of treasures Of art and history,
and among the features OF the extensive
garden and park are the wonderful box
trees. twenty-five 10 thirty feet in height.
q growth asserted by experts 10 be unique.
The present Lord Rose is quite rich.
For not only are the entailed estates which
90 with the earldom extremely valuable,
but. moreover. the late earl drew royalties
from all sorts OF useful inventions added
to which his mother the now widowed
Countess Of Rosse, was the only child and
heiress Of the late LORD Hawke, and as
such inherited a fortune which Is estimated
a some $4,000 a year.
MARQUISE DE FONTENOY.