The Story of a First Lord

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6695, 7 November 1889, Page 2

The Story of a First Lord

«. (English Paper.) In England we do not dote quite so much upon uniforms as they do in France ; and little incidents of this kind are therefore not eery likely to occur on this side of the Channel. Still a very well-known English Cabinet Minister did once get into difficulties, not through going about in mufti, but through wearing too much uniform. We will not mention the gentleman's name, for he is still extant. This distinguished politician — not even his friends ever thought he was a statesman — was once upon a time First Lord of the Admiralty. Full of the importance of his office, he determined to wear the gorgeous uniform of Lord High Admiral, whose representative he was. The first time he had official business with the fleet the Bight Hon gentleman put on his uniform and went aboard one of Her Majesty's ships. The Minister, who liked to look upon himself as Lord High Admiral, had his flag run up and the vessel started. In a few minutes one of the officers came up and politely touched hiß hat to the First Lord. "If you please, sir, what are your orders?" he asked. "Orders! what orders V* "Aa your flag is flying, you are in command." "But I don't) understand at all." "Well, sir, you are in command, and in a few minutes we shall run into the Queen's yacht. Will you give me my orders?" The unlucky First Lord became primaon .with vexation, and the Lord $I&As3s&