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In continuation of his interesting notes of incidents connected with
the gathering of Ministers for the last Cabinet Council, Our Special
Reporter states that the only _contretemps_ arose in connection
with the arrival of Mr. GOSCHEN. On alighting from his _coupé_ the
CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER handed the driver a dirty crumpled piece
of paper.
"Hi! wot's this?" shouted the Cabman.
"A one-pound note," said the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, blandly;
"give me the change."
"Oh, no you don't," said the Cabman; "you try that on in the City,
young feller. This is too far West."
Mr. GOSCHEN, evidently annoyed, carefully selected a worn-out
shilling, and tossing it to the man, stalked haughtily into the
Treasury. A moment later he hurriedly opened the door and looked out
for the Cabman, but he had gone. It was understood, Our Reporter says,
that the Right Hon. Gentleman had thought of a repartee.
* * * * *
The Morning Papers announce, with tantalising brevity, that "Lord
STRATHEDEN AND CAMPBELL has (_sic_) returned to Bruton Street from
Berlin." We are in a position to add that the occasion of the noble
Lords' journey to Berlin was of international interest. It is no
secret at the Foreign Office that their Lordships have for some time
been uneasy at the turn events are taking in the East. They have
endeavoured to disguise from each other their perturbed feelings. But
STRATHEDEN felt that CAMPBELL's eye was upon him, whilst CAMPBELL at
last abandoned the futile effort of dissembling his uneasiness under
the cold steel-grey glance of STRATHEDEN. They finally agreed that the
best thing they could do was to set forth for Berlin, making secret
_détours_ in order to call at other of the principal capitals, and
confer with the Foreign Ministers. The result, we are pleased to
learn, has been most beneficial, and has, so to speak, contributed a
hodful of mortar to the foundation on which rests the peace of Europe.
* * * * *
Mrs. RAMSBOTHAM is disposed to regard HOMER as over-rated. The only
book of his she ever read, she says, is _Bombastical Furioso_, and
certainly that did not assuage her appetite for any more.
* * * * *
Mr. STEAD has been taking into his confidence a universe thrilled
with interest, with respect to certain presentiments which from
time to time have struck his mind. One he dates in October, 1883,
at which time he was sub-editor of an evening journal which Mr.
JOHN MORLEY then edited. He had, he records, a presentiment that
at an early approaching date, Mr. MORLEY would have quitted the
establishment--dead Mr. STEAD genially anticipated--and that he would
reign in Stead. In view of the public interest involved in these
confessions, we have interviewed a certain Right Hon. Gentleman as to
his susceptibility to presentiments.
"Well," he replied, "they are not usual with me; but I remember that
for some time before the date mentioned, I felt that either Mr. STEAD
or I must leave the paper."
* * * * *
One of the earliest volumes issued in connection with the
newly-devised Automatic Library in use on some lines of Railway, is
entitled _Beyond Escape_. We understand that subsequent volumes will
be _Dashed to Pieces_, _The Broken Bridge_, _The Sprained Axle_, _The
Wheelbox on Fire_, _The Gordon Guard_, _The Cruel Cowcatcher; or, Cut
in Twain_, _The Colour-Blind Signalman_, and _Shunted and Shattered_.
* * * * *