Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 21, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 January 1900 — Two Fads of Jos[?]ph Chamberlain. [ARTICLE]

Two Fads of Jos[?]ph Chamberlain.

Long before the Transvaal trouble the Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, present Minister of State for the British Colonies, was famous the world over two things: his orchids and his monocle. His costly collection of orchids is one of the finest in the world. It is said that once in Paris he saw a rare orchid, the duplicate of one he had recently added to his own collection. He asked The price. “Twenty thousand francs,” replied the dealer. The Englishman paid the money, and then, throwing his flower on the floor, crashed it with his heel. However re liable this incident may be, the following is vouched for: Since boyhood Mr. Chamberlain lias worn a monocle. When the young man first entered Parliament liis fame as a municipal reformer bad preceded him. Among the visitors who were present on that occasion were Lords Beaconsfleld and Carnarvon. The commoner had. won his election to the house by his vigorous opi>ositioii to th<‘ great Conservative’s methods. As be came into the chTimber Lord Carnarvon leaned forwnid and said: “Here comes young Chamberlain.” “All!” replied Beaconsfleld, as, lie took Ml the young man from tip to toe. “W’hat do you think of him?” “He wears his monocle like a gentleman,” replied the premier.—Philadelphia Post.