MR. BURNAND'S GOOD STORIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12478, 23 January 1904, Page 1 (Supplement)

MR. BURNAND'S GOOD STORIES.

The genial editor of Punch, Sir Francis Burnand, retails a number of good stories in his recently-issued "Records and Reminiscences," some new and some otherwise. The tab of "Hippy Dormer" and the Queen is good. "How are you," cried that affable, but forgetful, youth, as he mot Her Majesty near the castle; "how are you?" 1 remember your face, but can't put a name to it." "Vviiilpi serving a novitiate at the Oblates of St. Charles, under Manning, young Burnand heard the shortest sermon on record. It was preached by a Dr. Donovan:—"Me bruthrun, a blessing I wish you all, in nomine," etc. After the service he patted Burnand on the back, saying, "Well, Mister Burnj, what did you think o' that for a sermon, eh ? I fancy 1 gave it 'em pretty strong." Here, too, Burnand had an amusing interview with Cardinal Manning, to whom ho hinted that lie had no "vocation" for the priesthood, and was even thinking of "going on the stage." The Cardinal was by 110 means staggered. "My dear boy, consider that the question of ' vocation' is one for the individual soul. It is to be regarded only in the light of what is best for the soul. Then, rocking himself, in measured rhythm a* it were, slowly forwards and backwards, he continued, in his playfully sarcastic manner, " Why, you might as well say—that to be—a—cobbler—is a ' vocation.' " Yv hereupon, nervously inspired, I blurted out, " Wei!—a— cobbler has a great deal to do with the sole." The situation was too much for Dr. Manning's gravity. In vain he-tried with his hand to hide his smile: the smile would spread, and did. 1 One of the most interesting associations of Sir Francis Burnand's later life must have been the T.P.C., a ruling club which was known as the "Two Pins," after Dick Turpin and John Gilpin. Among its members were Sir Charles Russell and Sir Edward Lawson (as they then were), Frank Lockwood, Li 11 ley Sambourne, John Ilaret, and Jonn Tenniel: and Lord Rosebery, with whom the club once lunched at the Durdans, used to say they had " only one horse and one story between them." Another good story is told of Sir Arthur Sullivan mother. She was dining with the j Duke of Edinburgh on one occasion, when t she startled him by saying, "Sir, your family name is Guelph" : — My dear mother," began Arthur, remonstrating. fb't it is, isn't it ?" she persisted. Certainly." replied the Duke, much amused. "What's the matter with it, Mrs. Sullivan ?" Oh, nothing" returned the excellent old : lady amusingly, " only I don't understand : why you don't call yourself by your proper : name. " j 1 here's nothing to be ashamed of in the i m \™™, o , G uelph," the Duke said gravely. ' a n >' 3 cxactl 5 r what I any," persisted . Arthur s mother, " nothing whatever as far ; 8 f i . v " And that being so, why you ; should not call yourself by it I can't under- I , stand."- ]