THREE TIMES SEVEN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue XXIII, 7 December 1895, Page 726

THREE TIMES SEVEN.

In the * Life and Correspondence of Arthur Penrhyn Stanley, D.D.,’ the author tells us that the distinguished preacher had an entire lack of humour, and he cites an amusing incident in proof thereof. I was telling Dean Stanley that musician Halle's cook had lately won a good round sum in a lottery with the number twenty-three. Halle was interested, and asked her how she came to fix on so lucky a number. * O sir,’ said she, * I had a dream. I dreamt of number seven. I dreamt of it three times, and as three times seven makes twenty-three, I chose that number, sir.’ When I had concluded my story I observed a wistful expression on Arthur’s countenance, as if he were ready, nay, anxious to be amused, but could not for the life of him quite manage it. Then, suddenly, his face brightened, and he said, but not without a tinge of dejection : ‘ Ah, yes, I see ; yes, I suppose three times seven is not twenty-three.’ Miss Mary Anderson (Madame Navarro) is writing her theatrical memoirs. The saying in the profession that once having ‘ smelt the footlights ’ one is never content to abandon them, has not held good in Madame Navarro’s case apparently, as she has gladly resigned them for the more peaceful happiness of domestic life ; yet her career was so brilliant she must have much to tell that should prove interesting reading.