my hands, "The Cup," and the above play by Lord Lytton.

The demand for something new was caused, no doubt, by my acting such old-fashioned dramas as "Ingomar," the "Lady of Lyons," and "The Hunchback." The two first were successful in London; and the failure of "The Hunchback" was due to my mistake in trying to modernise the character of Julia. By transforming her into a conventional Society woman, I made her as insipid to the public as to myself. After the first week, I went back to my old declamatory rendering of the part, having found that many of Knowles's bombastic lines would not bear natural treatment.

It was at the Deanery of Westminster that I met Lord Tennyson for the first time. He had a noble head and presence, but my first feeling was one of keen disappointment; simply because I did not find the Laureate exactly what I expected him to be. To form an ideal of any person, thing, or place beforehand is no doubt a mistake; for there is a disturbing surprise in store for one, even if the original surpasses the ideal.

The poet's manner at first struck many as gruff. I felt it so then; though, on knowing him

better, I found him one of the kindest and most sympathetic natures. He did not come into the drawing room after luncheon, for his pipe seemed a necessity to him on all occasions. He sent for me before I left, and, during our tête-à-tête, his manner had so changed as to lead me to believe that his former brusqueness was only due to shyMrs. Gladstone was of the party. Most of those present kissed the Bard's hand as he passed them.

ness.

It was at a breakfast at his house in Downing Street that I first met Mr. Gladstone, then Prime Minister. As he came across the room with his hands stretched out in greeting, I could not believe that the fine countenance and magnificent eyes were the same I had seen in the numerous photographs and portraits of the eminent statesman. There was a youthfulness in the face and a fire in the eyes that none of them suggested; while the expression was varying and sympathetic. Without an atom of self-consciousness, his simplicity and charm have forced even his political opponents to admit that "he can be delightful socially." His versatility in conversation was remarkable. He handled every subject with an ease born of deep knowledge. At break

fast I had the pleasure of sitting between him and the late Lord Granville. Mr. Gladstone was speaking amusingly of toys, contrasting the quaint and simple ones of his childhood with the intricate and wonderful playthings of to-day, when, to the horror of all a loud explosion was heard which seemed to be in the house. Happening at a time when dynamite was being freely used in London, and Victoria Station had already been partially demolished by a bomb, its effect was naturally terrifying. Mr. Gladstone was the only one of the party who did not show the slightest sign of fear, and went to the scene of the explosion at once. We soon learned that an attempt had been made to blow up the Admiralty near by. On his return Mr. Gladstone, after expressing indignation at the cowardice of such proceedings, said nothing further on the subject. A few moments iater he was helping me with my wrap, which he put on upside down, making amusing remarks about ladies' cloaks in general, and mine in particular.