We understand that Mr. GLADSTONE has followed, with much interest, the
speeches delivered in the country last week, and was observed to be
visibly affected at the touching spectacle of the final reconciliation
of Lord SALISBURY and Mr. CHAMBERLAIN at Birmingham. "They toil
not, neither do they spin," he said, furtively wiping away a tear;
"nevertheless, they seem made for each other's company."
* * * * *
[Illustration: "A Fantasy of Disordered Imagination."]
The Right Hon. Gentleman will take his turn next week, and a report
is current in interested quarters, that he as gone into training under
the personal direction of Sir WILLIAM HARCOURT and Mr. JOHN MORLEY,
who assist to support him whilst he rehearses his speech. This is
a fantasy of disordered imagination. Mr. G. is in splendid form,
spoiling for a fight.
* * * * *
A trustworthy Correspondent informs us that, owing to accidental
displacement of his notes, a telling point was omitted from Lord
SALISBURY's first speech at Birmingham. It was intended to come in
at the passage where the PREMIER boldly flouted apprehension, of
Ministerial disaster at the General Election. He had meant to cite Mr.
JACKSON's appointment as conclusive proof that the Government would
exist at least up to the year 1900.
"SHAKSPEARE," he should have said, "has written, 'a tanner will last
you nine year,' and of course the duration of the Government will
be co-incidental with the prolongation of the term of our Financial
Secretary to the Treasury, withdrawn from commercial pursuits at
Leeds."
* * * * *
HERR VON DER BLOWITZOWN-TROMP has some interesting reminiscences of
the lamented Baron MAC HINERY. "When he was appointed Legate at the
Court of the Isle of Man," writes the great historian of our times,
"he dined with me in passing through Nanterre. It was the very day the
Marquis DE MOULIN had been elected Pompier. The other guests were,
His Excellency the CON OF CRIM TARTARY, Prince ALLEZ-VOUS-EN, His
Excellency the VICUNA of BRAZIL, the SANDWICH AMBASSADOR, the DOGE of
VENICE, and the Baron MUNCHAUSEN, who was a kind of amateur partner of
mine, in whom I had much confidence--I always left him with my day's
correspondence ready to be committed to paper. In the course of the
dinner a stupid _garçon_, handing the ice round, dropped a small piece
down the back of the neck of the DOGE of VENICE. With great presence
of mind Baron MUNCHAUSEN seized the poker (which fortunately happened
to be in the fire), and, with inimitable dexterity, passed the red-hot
brand between the DOGE's shirt-collar and his neck, and, deftly
touching the piece of ice, melted it. It was an awkward moment. The
canned lobster was just served, but no one thought of eating it. The
CON of CRIM TARTARY turning to Baron MAC HINERY, said,--
"You, my Lord, who are disinterested in this matter, tell us what you
think of it."
"I think," replied the Baron, with admirable _sangfroid_, "his
Highness the DOGE would have felt better if the ice had been warmer,
and the poker cooler."
Everybody laughed. The DOGE and Baron MUNCHAUSEN shook hands, and the
dinner ended gaily.
* * * * *
RYMOND, writing _lui-même_ with too infrequent pen, makes pathetic
reference to the death of "one of the largest and best known purveyors
of Rhine wine, with whom I have had business relations and personal
intercourse for nearly thirty years." There is, we need hardly say,
no basis for the insinuation thrown out by HENED that the business
relations referred to were of the commission order sometimes
established between purveyors of Rhine and other wines and gentlemen
who have a wide circle of friends.
* * * * *