LORD ULLSWATER’S MEMOIRS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 January 1926, Page 4

LORD ULLSWATER’S MEMOIRS.

THE EX-KAISER AS A BOY

A writer in the London “Daily Hail” in revicwng “A Speaker’s Commentaries,” by Y iseount Ullswater, says tliat Lord Ullswater, well known as" Mr James William Lowther, was not only one of the best Speakers of the House of Commons in modern times—many maintain he was the best Speaker that House had ever, known—but he had also a well-deserved reputation for wit and humour and a line presence. His memoirs will interest a- very large circle ot readers, and, quite apart from their political importance, which is great, they are packed with good stories, hie has" known almost everyone prominent in English life for the last generation: ho is a member of one of our old families with a vast network of relationships ; and he has also been a constant traveller and has come into touch with personalities abroad. As a child in Berlin, where his mother was then living he was among the playmates of William 11. “My recollection of hint is that even then lie did not readily brook contradiction, was always masterful in our children’s games, and always claimed, though ho had not always achieved, the victory. He would also insist upon my brother Gerard dipping his finger m the inkpot, so that he. William, should not

he the only one to have, as lie nail, a black nail on b.is withered hand.” There is a good story of Queen Victoria, whose love for the open air was a sad trial to her suite, when the I>uko and Duchess of Edinburgh arrived in London: “It was rather a snowy day, hut the Ouoen was reported to have said on her return to Buckingham Palace: “What a good thing that it was not cold. The Duchess of Edinburgh, who bait come from Russia, declared, however, she had never been so cold in her lite.’ Lord Ullswatcr knew the last Qticen of Naples, sister of the Empress Kliznbotli of Austria, a woman ot brilliant courage and, as was said, the only man in the Royal Eamilv of Naples; “The Queen, who had acquired some knowledge of English from her English groom, used to converse with, my mother in that language, hut her vocabularv savoured more oi the stable tuau of the Court, and she would frequently use such expressions as, “V. here is the King, drat him!” and similar homely phrases.” Another friend of Lord l Uswater in his vouuger days was “Bobby Spcncei,

afterwards Lord Spencer, who never forgot that he was “a high-born aristocrat.” . ~ . “A story partly illustrative of this characteristic used to be told of him at Cambridge. On his return from a short Easter vacation, lie was asked by bis friends where lie had spent it. In Portugal,” lie said. “In PoriugalWhnt a strange place! Did you know anybody there?” “No,” he replies , “onlv the King.” . An admirable plan of winning the support of a constituency was that which we are told, was practised by a Mr Wharton. After making a specc.i or two he was taken ill. and sent for the local solicitor to make his will.

“In this document, after expressing croat gratitude for the generous reception which had been accorded to him, lie bequeathed to the various charities and institutions of the borough huge sums of money from his (imaginary) estate. . . • The news of his generosity and intended beneficence rapidly spread, and on the polling day lie was duly returned.” An interesting passage deals with Lord Randolph Churchill and his relations with his Prime Afinister. Lord Salisbury. The latter, “on being asked whether the loss of Lord Randolph would not be a serious blow to his Government, is said to have replied: Did yon ever know a man who. having got rid id a boil on his neck, wanted another?” Among the si range stories of the book is that- of Air Campbell <9 l)unstall'uage. told by him to Lord 1 ,Iswater :

“He said that when he was a young man lie went out to Australia. On one occasion, as lie was driving a lalge Hock ol' sheep down from his farm towards the town, an old newspaper which was being bleu u about by tin* wind got round his feet. He disengaged ''himself from tin* encumbrance and resumed his tramp, hut the newspaper again got. round his feet. I bis time lie picked it up and read it. In llic advertisement columns lie lound an advertisement inquiring for thewhereabouts of one Campbell, presumed to he the heir to the Dunslall'nage estate, and this eveutualy tinned out to he none other than liimsell.” WOMAN AND AIEAIOIUAL. A tale in lighter vein is that ol the Queen Victoria Alemorial. Alter it was unveiled the police were insi meted. to give information about the allegorical figures grouped round it. one “I which is “Alnternity.” “the representation ol a buxon

lady with several children at her knees and feel. An inquirer, on being informed of the meaning ol the figure, replied, “Maternity i" Then she ought to he ashamed of herself, for she has no wedding ring.’’ In much the same vein is a remarkmade by Charles Brookfield to \\ yndham, when Wyndham was playing Garrick in “David Garrick . “Brookfield said to him, “Aon look more like Garrick every day, ’ and when Wyndham acknowledged the compliment, added. “And loss like him every night.”