PHILOSOPHER SPENCER SOOTHED BY MUSIC.

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 57, 4 September 1926, Page 21

PHILOSOPHER SPENCER SOOTHED BY MUSIC.

There isa delightful account of the whims of Herbert Spencer. The late Wilfrid Blunt, poet and anti-Imperial-ist, called upon the philosopher: — " 'You will excuse me not rising, Mr. Blunt,' he said, placing his hand on his side with an explanatory gesture; 'my heart . . .'.'. The two brother proBoers then fell to, denouncing the British Government and all its works, and so thorough and passionate was their agreement that Mr. Spencer's customary agitation overeamo him, though this time it came from the opposite of the usual cause (being contradicted). To agree with Spencer evidently had its dangers also . . : ' Mr. Blunt, would you mind ringing the bell?' said Spencer. ' There is a lady of my household who plays to me when my nerves grow over-excited.' Then, on the summons, there appeared a little timid spinster lady, clad in rusty black silk, such as we associate with ancient urnbellas. Without a word she sat down to an old-fashioned upright piano and tinkled on its antique strings, playing as David played before Saul; till at length the philosopher indicated that her soothing work had been accomplished, and'she vanished as silently as she had entered.

."Shortly afterwards there was the sound from downstairs of another belL 'That,' Mr. Spencer explained, 'is the luncheon bell. I regret, Mr. Blunt, 'that I cannot accompany you, for the little I eat I eat up here.' So Mr. Blunt repaired downstairs, meeting on the way a domestic carrying a tray loaded with smoking mutton chops and other hearty viands which formed the philosopher's frugal meal." At the luncheon table Mr. Blunt sat next to the little lady who had played the piano and another little lady like her. " 'I suppose you have lived with Mr. Spencer for many years,' said Blunt. Perhaps the little faded black silk ladies had humour —it almost seems as if they must have had—for, with a touch of spinster gaiety, they both rippled out together: 'Oh, no, indeed! Mr. Spencer never keeps us for more than six months —for fear we should grow too attached to him.' " Mr. Le Gallienne adds that it is perhaps necessary to know Spencer's physiognomy to appreciate the full flavour of this remark.