HARCOURT'S CIGARS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 142, 16 June 1923, Page 14

HARCOURT'S CIGARS

CHOSE SIZE RATHER THAN

QUALITY.

His worst enemies would not have accused Sir William Harcourt of inefficiency whilst in office, but his sixteen cigars a day would have brought him under Lord Leverhulme's, strictures, states a correspondent of the "Manchester Guardian." He was not a connoisseur, but would not be fobbed off with a small cigar when a large one was available. When he was preparing one of his 'Budgets an admirer sent him a gift of .very large and very _t>'recious cigars, and his son and his 'official secretary, horrified at the pace at which he consumed them, lighting one and throwing it into the fire when the division ball summoned him to vote, abstracted the box, and substituted one containing a smaller and cheaper variety. "That they were cheaper," says Mr. A. G. Gardiner, "would npt have arouso dhis suspicion; that they were smaller revealed the infamous deceit practised upon him, and only the return of the large fat cigars appeased his wrath and enabled the wheels of Treasury life to revolve again."

One of his private secretaries. Sir L. N. Cuillomard, X.C.8., tells how when Sir William sat on high, robed like Solomon in all his glory, as president of the Court at the annual selections of sheriffs, he was suddenly seen to begin an exploration of his pockets, with every indication of a set purpose. " 'Good Lord,' said Loulou. clutching my arm, 'he can't be going -to smoke.' 'If he funds a cigar,' I replied, 'he will undoubtedly put it in his. mouth.; .but the ■worst may not happen. Let us, hope ho has no matches.' Apparently he had none, for the crisis passed, arid the Bench remained yaprofaaqd."