MR. CHAMBERLAIN.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 288, 29 August 1908, Page 10

MR. CHAMBERLAIN.

HOW HE KEPT HIS BIRTHDAY. SHOWERS OF CONGRATULATORY ' MESSAGES.' . ; Mr. .Chamberlain on Wednesday (July 8) celebrated the seventy-second anniversary of 'lis birthday at Aix-les-Bains amid a shower of congratulatory telegrams from political friends ' and opponents'testifying to the firm hold which he has gained upon the affections of the British people. Most of tho messages oxprossod satisfaction at tho rapid progress which his health is making.. Tho Lord Mayor of Birmingham telogrnphed wishing him many happy returns of tho day, as also did the Council of Birmingham University. Tho General, Purposes Committee of tho Tariff Reform Loaguo dispatched tho following messago to Mr. Chamberlain, signed by itß chairman, Lord Ridloy:— Tariff Reform Committeo assombled desiro to offer every good wish to you, and trust for speedy restoration to good • health. Mr. Chamberlain was born- at No. 3 Camberwell Grove, London, ou July 8, 1830, and ovonwhon a child at Miss Paco's school showed, according to his mistress, tlntf "ho didn't liko being behind anybody." Ho began his Parliamentary caroor in 187G as member for Birmingham, and has brilliantly represented that.city, for thirty-two vears. The cause of Tariff Reform, for which ho sacrificed olfico in '1903, still engages all his thoughts, and it was only on tho previous Sunday that ho telegraphed to tho "Obsorvcr" his stirring message to the effect that "its victor)' i 6 certain.and it will como very soon." . ; The Aix-les-Bains' correspondent of the "Daily Mail" tells how Mr. Chamberlain kopt his birthday ■in tho following telegram , , . • , ' Mr. Chamberlain did not go to tho baths as usual, .but, took a light breakfast in bed and got up about ten o'clock, Even at that hour telegrams wore arriving from all-parts of the world) looping tho waiters busy.' In all, ovor 100 were received in tho courso of tho morning. ' Mr. Chamberlain camo down to lunch on the terraco at one, and appeared to enjoy his meal. The dishes served- woro oinelotto with asparagus tops, calf's liver, and cutlets. Ho remained on tho terraco until thrco, aijd theii drovo in a enrriago for throo hours along tho shores of tho lako. He was back in tho .hotol at 6.30, and lay down till he dressed for dinner at eight, when ho strolled about tho'hotel for a few, minutes.

He received no visitors. On rising, a coloscal bouquot of rosea was .presented to him by M. Bemascon, the proprietor of the hotel. A group of Mr. Chamberlain's a,dmirorß organised ji ,festival .dinner at tho' Grand Hotel do I'Arc Romain, now known as the Hotel Astoria. Proposing tho health of Mr, Chamberlain, the chairman expressed tho hopo that Aix might have ■ tho credit or restoring him to tho political arena, for tho purpose of furthering- the causo which tho great statesman had at heart, fraught as it was with' Bilch far-reaching importance to tho future of tho Empire, Frenchmen, ho observed, did not, as a rule, tako much interest in foreign politics, but tho fiscal reforms associated with Mr. Cbamborlain's naino-had mado him well known throughout tho world, and-it was 110 exaggeration to say that Mr. Chamberlain's 'hoaltli was a : matter of universal interest. He concluded by proposing a voto of congratulation to Mr. Chamberlain, coupled with hopes of his prompt restoration to fighting form, • This message was duly transmitted to Mr. Chamberlain.