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20 April 1881 — Inwood, Henstridge, Somerset | |
Wednesday. 20th April [1881]. The papers confirmed the report of Disraeli having died yesterday. Lady Westr was very much cut up about it. We left Inwood by 11.15 train. Merthyr was still in bed when we left. We got to London abt 1.30 & lunched at 2. I did not go out again. Wrote letters &c. Mrs Burr came to call at 5 & later Musurus P. called & stayed a long time talking of Consple & was very anxious to send a message from Henry to the Sultan saying Henry was still devoted to him. I sent an affecte message to H.M. thro’ the Pasha. Just at dinner time Arthur turned up & dined with us. He & Henry talked a great deal abt Dizzy. Arthur said that when in the house & living in Granville Place he had often walked home at night with Ld Beaconsfield & that one night as they 2 walked up Parliament St early in the morng a man came up & lifting his hat said “Mr Draheli I believe Sir.” Dizzy never answered nor moved a muscle of his face– The man returned again & said again Mr Disra-he-li sir I believe—& Dizzy never answered at last the man returned the 3rd time & said “I have bet a £1 with my companion there that you are Mr Disraheli” at wh Dizzy at last answered “Then you have committed a gross piece of impertinence” & walked on. The man slunk away & Dizzy continued “My dear Guest. It behooves me to be most careful in these days of assassination” & there the matter dropped. Another time Arthur was walking with Dizzy & passed a cab full of people inside & out men & women & children, some on the roof all talking & arguing—at the door of a public house– When they had gone past Dizzy said to Arthur “I have always wondered what was the usual topic of conversation between people of that class & I know now it is—What will you take half a glass of.” Henry said that no one had known Dizzy much longer than he had– He remembered that when he was a little boy with his father & mother at Moulins Dizzy arrived with Mr & Mrs B. Austen in their post chaise & brought the news of the death of Canning– Dizzy excited Henrys youthful admiration by the splendid rosettes he wore on his shoes & his flowered waistcoats. Henry said that after the stormy debates on the Crimea Dizzy had made him splendid offers if he wd join his party. | |
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