Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 November 1907 — A Beaconsfield Story. [ARTICLE]

A Beaconsfield Story.

A lady who was his constant friend and benefactor begged Lord Beaconsfield to read Mallock’s first book and say something civil about it The prime minister replied, with a groan: “Ask me anything, dear lady, except this.. I am an old man. Do not make me read your young friend’s romances.” “Oh, but he would be a great accession to the Tory party, and a civil word from you would secure 'hlm ffit=ever.” - = “Oh, well, then, give me a pen and sheet of paper.” And, sitting down in the lady’s drawing room, he wrote; “ ‘Dear Mrs. , I am sorry that I cannot dine with you, but I am going down to Hughenden for a week. Would that my solitude could be peopled by the bright creations of Mi;. Mallock’s fancy.’ Will that do for your young friend?” As an appreciation of a book which one has not read this is perfect.