Page:The life and letters of Sir John Henniker Heaton bt. (IA lifelettersofsi00port).pdf/60

 Sir W— ——, "examinations are all nonsense. When I joined the Army forty years ago the test they set us was to say the Lord's Prayer and to write our own name—and by the Lord Harry I was plucked the first time!"

H. H. was the first to introduce tea on the Terrace, which became almost at once a popular feature of London social life. The photographs taken by the late Sir Benjamin Stone made a permanent record of some of the most interesting of these gatherings. On the Terrace of the House H. H. had the pleasure of introducing his great friend, the late Sir Charles Gavan Duffy, to Sir Edward Carson, where they had a deeply interesting discussion on the affairs of Ireland. Sir Edward Carson ended the interview by saying if all Irishmen were like Sir Charles he would gladly consent to Home Rule for Ireland.

"And ut's Carrson that has the soft spache wid him," commented an Irish Member hearing the story.

The following letter was written by Sir Charles, from Nice:

I am reading with considerable enjoyment the volume of political gossip you sent me. I entered parliament at the same date as Sir William Fraser and am familiar with the men and events he deals with. The book would be a great deal better if it were written in strictly chronological order, and about half the size, excluding all anecdotes which are not new, or are not pointed.

I never waited the meeting of parliament with so much anxiety. The G.O.M. has a very difficult task, but his safety lies in courage. If he prepares a thoroughly satisfactory measure he will content Ireland, even if it should be lost for a time in the Lords,