An Anecdote of Lord Brassey.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XX, Issue 6312, 20 July 1895, Page 1

An Anecdote of Lord Brassey.

The Westminister Gazette refers to the recent personal anecdote against himself which Lord Brassey told at the Women's Liberal Association. Lord Brassey, it appeared, had been down in the neighborhood of Harrow to make a farewell speech on behalf of Dr Barnardo's Homes prior to his departure for Australia. Walking on his way home he encountered four young girls who had attended the meeting, and he accidentally overheard their conversation. "Lizzie," said one, "what did you think of Lord Brassey 1" " They say he is a very nice man," said the other. "Yes," replied the interlocutor, "that may be ; but, as for his speaking, I think he "ems' and "as 1 a good deal." Lord Brassey thought over the opinions of his young critics, and determined to profit by them. "Tom Brassey," he said to himself, "thou hast to spe-ik to-morrow at an important meeting of women in London. Beware that thou dost not fail thyself in the duty that falleth upon thee. Arouse thy>elf, Tom Brassey ! Awake early in the dawn, put on thy armour, put thy thoughts on paper, so that thy expression fail thee not, and acquit thy.;elf worthily before the women of the Women's National Liberal Association in the fulfilment of the promise to the Lady Hayter, who hath invited thee to address them on the vital question of the day." It only remains to add that the important part of Lord Brassey's speech at the meeting in question was read from manuscript, which his Lordship had doubtless prepared in the " early dawn."