The meeting is over. The orators, with their speeches in their hands,
besiege the press reporters' table. I again apply to my friend for the
explanation of this.
He tells me that these gentlemen are trying to persuade the reporters
to insert their speeches in their notes, in the hope that they will be
reproduced in to-morrow's papers, and thus advertise their names and
schools.
My friend is incorrigible. I will ask him no more questions.
* * * * *
_4th October, 1872._
There will be some people disappointed this morning, if I am to believe
what my friend said yesterday. I have just read the papers. Under the
heading "Meeting of the Teachers' Association," I see a long report of
yesterday's proceedings at the Society of Arts. Canon Barry's speech
alone is reproduced.
* * * * *
_24th May, 1873._
For many months past, M. Thiers has carried the Government with his
resignation already signed in his frockcoat pocket.
"Gentlemen," he has been wont to say in the Houses of Parliament, "such
is my policy. If you do not approve it, you know that I do not cling to
power; my resignation is here in my pocket, and I am quite ready to lay
it on the table if you refuse me a vote of confidence."