[Illustration: Only Fancy!]
We are supplied by our special reporter with some interesting and
significant facts in connection with the last Cabinet Council. Lord
SALISBUY arrived early, walking over from the Foreign Office under
cover of an umbrella. The fact that it was raining may only partly
account for this manoeuvre. Lord CROSS arrived in a four-wheeled
cab and wore his spectacles. Lord KNUTSFORD approached the Treasury
walking on the left hand side of the road going westward, whilst Lord
CRANBROOK deliberately chose the pavement on the other side of the
way. This is regarded as indicating a coolness between the Colonial
Office and the Council of Education. Lord HALSBURY alighted from a bus
at the bottom of Downing Street, accomplishing the rest of the journey
on foot. He wore a new suit of the latest fashionable cut and a smile.
Mr. STANHOPE, approaching Downing Street from the steps, started
violently when he caught sight of a figure on the steps of the
Treasury fumbling with the door-handle. He thought it was "VETUS," but
recognising the Home Secretary, advanced without further hesitation.
Lord GEORGE HAMILTON walked arm-in-arm as far as the door with Sir
M. HICKS-BEACH. Here they were observed to hastily relieve themselves
from contiguity and enter in single file. As they had up to that
moment been engaged in earnest conversation, this little incident
caused a sensation among the crowd looking on. The new Chief Secretary
was easily recognised as he descended from his hansom with a sprig
of shamrock in his coat and another of shillelagh in his right hand.
Whilst waiting for change out of eighteenpence he softly whistled
"_God Save Ireland_." Mr. RITCHIE did not appear, pleading influenza.
Our reporter informs us that there is more behind, and that before
the Session is far advanced a change may be looked for at the Local
Government Board.
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