( ‘l\. ;/

with Mr. Sala was very near to the opening

ol the Royal Academy. e protested strongly against the practice of Show- Sunday at artists’ studios,

“If 1 co to a man's studio,” he said,

“ how L(llll whilst accepting his 11()\])1L Uity condemn his picture to his face? If prawscd 1t to him to-day, T should only have to slate it the next morning in my notice.

It 1s not fair cither to Lhu critic or the artisg.” But a cloud trom the Havanah takes

him back to the carly days again.

“When Alexander 11 was assassinated, [ was dining at the Duke [Fife's, at Cavendish-squarc, It was a Sundav. The Russian Ambassador sent a messenger Sy - ino that he would be unable to be present, as an attempt had been made on the Czaur's life, and he was gravely wounded. Later in the evening came another despateh saving that his Impu 1l Majesty was dead. T knew well enoueh that Z%e 0.7 people would be down on me that very night to go off to St Petersburg, and | })auuulml\ wantad the next day in London. T roved about from club to club till three o'clock i the morning, but thev ran me down the same day with a note rom the cditor saying, ‘Please write lcading article on the * Price of Fishat Billingscate Market,” and start tor St. Petersburg by the night mail ! T went. 1 was compensated at the rate of £ 100 aweek and all travelling cxpenses. I was present at the coronation of Alexander II1, and somce of my telegrams cost £300 to send. T was for- warding somecthing like seven columns a day.

“ I have never had to dis- guise mysclf in my calling some of my brother jour nallbt, have. T well remember an amu=ing instance of this at the Czar's coronation. The Court choir there on such occasions consists of menarraved in long crimson cassociks, and wearing very long beards, who march along chanting very loudly. The representative of a Pavis- ian paper whom I knew was much upset at not getting a pass to go 1 to the ceremony. He said he meant to go, how- ever. The greatday arrived. 1

Of

s

1/7/7.7)

)

LINTERTTETES. oy was standimg mmy allotted seat, ~o te speak, when the choir approached. They were all chanting loudly, but onc of their number, tully arrayed and bearded, scemed as though singmg for dear life. He czmght my cye and winked. It was my friend !

vervithing in Russia is done by bribery:. Still, bllbu\ 15 not always successtul, as the will prove.

“Lowas present al the Jubilee garden- party given by Her Majesty at BUL]\IIIUI 1 Palace. My flower dropped out of ny button-holc. 2\ very pretty young servant —presumably there for the purpose of looking alter our w caring apparcel, sticks, and umhullts~p1d\u1 it up. Whilst 1 the act of putting it in my coat again, with a View Lo obtaining a peep into e Queen's vooms, T asked her if there was a chance of sceing themy at the same time endeavouring to \llp 4 sovercign into her hand, She shrunk back,

"L owho Tocouldy sty she whispered, “but there's a heye on me !

“lalking ol queens naturally remingds: meob king=. T have lunched with Alphonso NI of Spain under most distressing cir- cumstances. My friend Antonio (mllum(l

— -

! 4. o B0 N \ . & ! 2 A N ” R Xt ! N

TH

DRY-W ASH PROCE:~,

was with me. We were travelling with the King in a4 very sumptuous saloon carriage lent to us by Mr.