Page:The life and letters of Sir John Henniker Heaton bt. (IA lifelettersofsi00port).pdf/151

 before I can hope to be a live man among the living. But I strongly hope that we shall meet again many times in this life, dear old friend and true friend, and interchange genial memories and consequences.

it was always a pleasure when the late Mr Moberly Bell—manager of "The Times"—could be persuaded to join H. H.'s parties. His massive head with the penetrating kindly eyes gave him an appearance which did not belie the great intellect, courageous and just, that governed "The Times" for so many years. When released from the cares of office, his humour and gentle irony made him the most popular of guests. He arrived late for dinner at the House one night, having been sitting on the Commission for amending the Divorce Laws. In the middle of the proceedings it seemed that Lady Frances Balfour had handed him a sheaf of papers saying:

"Please take care of these for me, I haven't a pocket."

"What!" exclaimed Moberly Bell in a loud voice. "You haven't a pocket and you want a vote—God bless my soul!"

H. H. spoke of his interest in the Divorce Commission, as some years previously he had caused to be issued a Parliamentary paper giving the laws of Marriage and Divorce in all countries of the world. The paper showed that the cheapest country in which to get married was Belgium (2½d.), and the easiest place in which to get a divorce was Japan, where a husband could obtain his freedom if his wife talked too much. This came as rather a surprise, as it was

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