The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-23
TOLSTOI is POPULAR
IN RUSSIAN CAPITAL

nobleman OF high rank approached and
attempted 10 force his way past Toll
sto. respectfully interposed his wea-
pom, mentioning the strict orders that
he had received from tho Emperor
himself that no one should be per-
mftted to enter The nobleman hotly
reminded the man OF his name and
rank as general. and As this had no
effect. he became infuriatod and struck
Tolstoi across tho face with mis- cane
At that moment the door Opened and
the Emperor appeared, and asked the
meaning of the disturbance. The noble
man explained. The car listened
carefully until ne had finished. Then
he turned 10 Tolstoi:
you were struck by this gentle
man for obeying my orders, Take
my cane and strike him as ne struck
you"
But. your Majesty" interrupted tho
nobleman. this man Is an ordinary
sergeant"
Then 1 make him a captain"
But l am a dgnitary OF your Ma
jcsty's household.'
II make him colonel OF my life
guards!'
My rank, as your Majesty knows. is
that of general and COUNT
Then l make him a general too, and
count as we'll. SO that the beating
you Will get win be from man OF
your own rank"
Whether the beating was or was not
given. Is not recorded. But on the
very same day Sergeant Peter Tolstoi
was commissioned IS "A general OF the
Russian army and 4 count OF the en-
pire. 1t Is needless to add that he be-
came one of the m~st devoted re-
tainers of his sovereign, strong sup
porter OF his Western reforms was for
several years his amba ssador to
Turkey, and was instrumental In hav-
ing the fugitive Crown Prince Alexis
sent back 10 the tender merces of his
father. by whom he was put to death.
Hoghton Tower. In Lancashire where
King George and Queen Mary were
entertained during their weeks visit
to Lord Derby, at Knowsley) at
luncheon by sir James dc Hoghton.
premier baronet o. the realm, Is cele-
brated as the place where King James
l. Is said, In a moment Of high good
humor and mirth. TO have knighted
a joint of beef placed before him, and
which has ever since been known by
the name OF Sir Loin. The table on
which this historic piece OF beef was
thus distinguished BY the crown is
still preserved at Hoghton Tower
Another bit of festive history as
sociated with King Jamcs's stay at
HoShton on that occasion was the pre-
sentation 10 him, by n great number OF
iradespcoplc. peasants and servants
of a petition TO the effect that they
might be allowed to take their diver
sions after divine service on Sunday
King James showed himself willing
to relieve the strictness OF the Sab
bath observance laws in their favor
and the result was the PRONUNCIATION
OF a decree, still In force, known as
The Declaration OF Sports" enumer-
ating and describing certain pastimes
which may be played in Lancashire
but nowhere else on Sundays, without
any Interference on the part of the
authorities.
Sir James dc Hoghton traces his de-.
scent from the famous Lady Godiva
and her husband, Leofric, Earl of Mer-
STA: and his family have been settled
at HoShton Tower. in Lancashire, ever
since the Norman Conquest, though the
present mansion dates from the reign
of Queen Elizabeth. The banquetng
hall is a magnificent structure, with
over 5000 panes cot glass in the win
dows.
During the Civil War. Hoghton
Tower was compelled to undergo not
one, but several sieges, one of which
resulted in the capture of the place
by the Roundheads. who were under
the command OF n Captain Starkic.
Among the prisoners was the Lady de
Hoghton OF the day. while her brother
| in-law, Captain Hoghton. WAS among
the slain. Curiously enough. Ctccly
the daughter of the present Sir James
oe Hoghton. is married to Cecil lie
Gendre Starkie. a lineal descendant OF
the Stark'e who commanded the
Roundheads that captured Hoghton
Tower in the days of Cromwell.
Copyright. 1913 by the Brentwood
Company