DIARY OF THE PREMIER ABROAD.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3115, 28 March 1883, Page 2

DIARY OF THE PREMIER ABROAD.

The following amusing jeu -H'esprit appears in “ Punch”:— Chateau Scott, Cannes, Saturday— Hero I am at last, and rather tired after journrey. “ Complete mental and physical repose,” Andrew Clark said. Well, it’s a blessing to be coddled sometimes. Feel as if I should like to live here for ever. Delightful surroundings. Olive groves, oranges, aloes, myrtles, and palms. If I felt stronger should wire to Tennyson that hero I am among the “ palms and temples of the South,” but perhaps had better keep quiet. Hope I shan’t be bothered by seeing people. Hope Cardwell and Childers won’t call. If Eandolph Churchill comes down here for his health. I shall have to leave for mine.

Monday.—Better already. Air like nectar. Who is it says that “ blue isles and snowy mountains wear the purple noon’s transparent light ?” Think it’s Shelley. Don’t approve of Shelley, but description not bad, except that no “snowy mountains” anywhere near Cannes.

Tuesday.—Trip to the He St. Marguerite today. Jolly! Had picnic near house where Bozaine was confined. I cut down boughs of trees and Wolverton boiled the kettle. Proprietor of land objected to cutting down trees, in French. Couldn’t quite make out what he said, but gave him copy of Blue-book on Egypt and my autograph, and he went away. Glorious sunset! Eead one of Lord Salisbury’s speeches before going to bed, and slept twelve hours on end. Randolph has arrived at Nice. Don’t care!

Wednesday—Caught by family translating Irish Land Act into Greek in corner of the grounds, under an orange bush. They threaten to send for Andrew Clark, and make me promise not to do it again. I do so willingly, as 1 don’t want Andrew Clark hero. Feel in position of much greater freedom and less responsibility when my doctor’s five hundred miles away. Good fellow. Clark, but likes coddling me, and I don’t like being coddled. Thursday—Slip out of grounds, and wire to Darlington, congratulating him on his recent speech, which I managed to read under the bed clothes this morning ! Capital speech! Also wire to Clark to ask him if ho really meant complete repose, or only “ sufficient repose.” He wires back, “ complete, otherwise laryngital epidermits is sure to supervene.” Don’t want to get laryngital epidermits; wish doctors wouldn’t frighten one so. Don’t mind seeing visitors a bit now ; in fact rather like it. Find myself wandering about grounds, repeating best parts of undelivered Midlothian speeches to the oranges, and denouncing Norlhcoto in

an undertone. Cardwell came in and caught me just at a splendid peroration ; provoking; couldn’t li;d-h it. Khali try in bed to-night. Fjiday.—Touch of the Mistral today. Why “Mistral?” Look it up. Clarke (old me to “ beware of the Mi'iral.” Can’t help it ; must do a good ten mile walk, and climb a high mountain. Asked Childers to come with me. Says he’d rather not ; never climbed a hill in his life. Go up myself, and feci like tho youth in “ Excelsior.” Back and draft rough sketch of London Municipal Reform Bill. Slink out after dinner, and telegraph chief clauses to Firth. Crowd of French peasants at gates of villa, waiting to catch a glimpse of me. This devotion deserves a reward. I explain to them principal provisions of Irish Arrears Act. at widen they seem surprised. Query— Do they understand my French, I wonder? Saturday Feel glorious ! Never knew such health in my life ! Air like champagne. Got up early, and cut down all Lord Wolverton’s favorite trees before breakfast. Then, as I can’t stand being coddled any longer, effect change of dress with passing workman and go off Eaterel Mountains, with axe, hunch of bread and cheese, and copy of “Homer” and new County Franchise Bill. Spend a delicious day. Come back, and find family have been scouring country for me, as there was a report I had been carried off by IrishAmerican Fenian corsairs! Family have really telegraphed for Andrew Clark. Don’t care if he comes. Hang Andrew Clark ! Hang tho Mistral! Feel brimful of spirits. As Andrew Clark is coming, shall take little trip to Genoa—why not Moaco ? —and do as I like. Salisbury is at Nice, and I am sure I can get him to join me. No doubt he knows a “ system ”or two. Great fun ! Quite pleasant (n think we can join hands about anything! ITovv much better lam ! “ Join hinds ” —at cards ! Not that cards will be quite ilio game. But still it is a very good joke for a convalescent! Must he off before Clark arrives. Catch the train, wire to Salisbury en route to join me, and there we are! Now to furtively obtain tho Continental “ Bradshaw !”