SOME CHAMBERLAIN STORIES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LIX, Issue 9211, 2 November 1908, Page 3

SOME CHAMBERLAIN STORIES.

Mr Chamberlain's reputation for humour is well known, but it is not often that he allows himself to make a pun. Ou one occasion, however, during the lifetime of Disraeli, a friend was congratulating him upon some new houour he had then but recently acquired. "I suppose yon must feel tremendously elated at your success, don't you?" asked this gentleman of Mr Chamberlain. "No," was the reply, "I'm not Dizzy vet!"

Mr Chamberlain was once leaving liiffljjpiise ou New Year's eve, when face to face with a little group of man, who approached him as if thoy wished to address him. "Are yon a deputation?" asked Mr Chamberlain. "No, sir," replied one of the straugers, "we are the waits." "Th> what?" asked the statesman, in surprise. "The waits, sir. We've bseu playing here every night for the last two weeks and now we'vw come •" "Oh, I see," interrupted I".he statesman, as though a light had suddenly dawned upon him, "you've come do apologise." Ifc is needless to add, however, that the strolling musicians did not go away unrewarded.

Mr Chamberlain's love of the orchid is well kuowu, and at one of his political nieetiugs some years ago his fondness for this flower was responsible for au amusing incident. In the midst of tho proceedings au old man pushed his way through the crowd, and demanded of his nearest neighbour to be told which was Mr Chamberlain. "That's Mm," was the answer, "that clean-shaven man with the eyeglass." "Well, if that's Chainberlaiu, I think 'c's a reg'lar fraud," exclaimed the old fellow, in a disappointed toue; "they told me as 'ow c wore a little orchard in Ms bnttou'oie^u , it aiu't uothin' more than a 'talw blossom, after all!"