A BITTER PILL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1278, 27 August 1886, Page 3

A BITTER PILL.

The Victorian friends of tho late Mr Graham Berry are said to have experienced a sort of alos and-scaminony sensation when the cable flashed the news of his elevation to a higher sphere. “ Sir Graham Berry, K.0.M.G.,” was too much for many ot the well-meaning enthusiasts who had been beguiled into lending him the loan ot their shoulders and a hoist to the very' pinnacle of democratic fame. There is probably in these uncertain days no. surer road to the gratification of a for ribbons and titles than the one which in the “ good old times” led to the stake and block ; but it is not given to every man to follow that road with as much success as Sir Graham Berry. When he went back to his cl 1 mates he did it gracefully, and in the calm consciousness pf being beyond their power, and past the possibility of requiring any assistance from them in the future. And the finger of derision attached to the nose of acorn is a bitter pill for the tools who served him so well. The warning will not he thrown away in New South Wales. The man who is a democrat from conviction, and as good a man at that as any of his neighbours, can have nothing but pity for the conditions of the one or two would-be imitators here o! the rat who got knighted over yonder. They would follow in his footsteps if they knew how, but tho game is played out for the present in that “ lone hand” of Sir Graham’s. Moreover, he had brains and some education ; whereas they have but long tongues and their native impudence. In his day, too, the wool had non been drawn over the eyes of the horny handed son of toil. Now that the latter has “ been there” it will not be so easy a matter for another firebrand to get knighted at his expense.Town and Country.’