SIR ALGERNON WESTS’ “ RECOLLECTIONS.”

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIV, Issue VI, 10 February 1900, Page 277

SIR ALGERNON WESTS’ “ RECOLLECTIONS.”

Sir Algernon’s father was a barrister. who became Recorder of Lynn and a Commissioner of Bankruptcy. The l>oy used to go to his father’s chambers in Lincoln s Inn to do his lessons, and listened on his way home to speeches on the hustings under the clock of the church in Covent Garden. The youth overheard many smart retorts.of which the following are specimens:—

Speeches on the hustings then played a prominent pari tn elections. Admiral Rous said that more votes were won by clever repartee than people knew. If 1 vote for you. what taxes will you repeal’” said a dirty fellow in the crowd. “Why.” said Rous, “on soap for your sake.”

George Craven was standing for Berkshire, and, knowing more about fox-hunting than polities, used to carry his speeches, which were prepared for him by a friend, in his hat for ready reference. “What ’ave you got in your ’at?” cried a man. "Why. a <1 d sight more than you ’ave in your ’ead!” cried Craven.

Sir Algernon West’s entertaining work runs over with anecdotes, some new, some old, but even the old ones seem to have gained point in their telling. Here are some disconnected samples:— The Cosmopolitan Club is housed in Watts’ old studio, on the walls of which is a fresco of a nude woman. It was a standing joke of Stirling-Max-well’s to say to any inquirer into the subject of the picture: “You have no doubt heard of Watts' hymns; that is one of his hers.” Lord Orford was invited to become President of the Norwich Bible Society—an application from which he thought his well known character should have exempted him. He replied: “I have long been addicted to the gaming table. I have lately taken to the turf. I fear I frequently blaspheme. But I have never distributed religious tracts. All this was known to you and your Society, notwithstanding which you think me a fit person to be your President. God forgive your hypocrisy.” Lord Broughton bore a strong resemblance to one of the doorkeepers at the opera. A nouveau riche told him to call his carriage, which he did. and then turned, saying, “I have called yours, perhaps you will now call mine: I am Lord Broughton." He had a peppery temper, and one day Thackeray had at his dinner a special bottle of Madeira. There was one glass left, and Thackeray, patting Lord Broughton on the back, said, “There, my dear old boy, you drink that." “I am not your dear boy. I am not old, and d—n your wine.” said Lord Broughton. In Sir Algernon West’s earlier days it was the fashion for young men to go up in balloons with old Green, the aeronaut; and Albert Smith ascended one day before an admiring crowd of onlookers, and, waving his hand to a young lady, an acquaintance of his, as he was starting, he said. “If I come down again I will bring you back a sky-terrier.”

Lady Fitzwillian told her husband he ought not to be so entirely in his servants’ hands, and should sometimes visit his offices, which the next day he did. and. finding a boy as the solitary occupant of the lower regions, he asked him who he was. “Why.” said he. “I am the boy who does all the work in this 'ere ’ouse. and who the devil are you?” Lord Fitzwilliam told his wife that he had done as she asked him. but he could hardly say it was a success.

The narrative does not carry us any further than 188(>. Then- is a graceful Envoi, and the pleasant chapters come to a close all too soon. The great charm nf the book is in its wealth of anecdote, and in the humour that brightens every page of political and social reminiscence.