Page:The life and letters of Sir John Henniker Heaton bt. (IA lifelettersofsi00port).pdf/81

 of intercourse. One of the English team was unavoidably detained, and a message was sent to his opponent asking for a few minutes' grace. "Why, certainly, don't hustle him," came back over the wires and raised a smile.

An inter-parliamentary match between England and Australia was arranged in 1911. The following letters are from the then First Lord of the Admiralty:

I feel proud that you should have thought of me as a possible Captain for the British team in an inter-parliamentary chess match with Australia. I am sorry to say, however, that chess has been so far from my mind for the last six years, that I should be quite useless in the post. I have not played once myself since I have been in Office, and I know nothing of the players in the House of Commons. These are reasons, too strong to be overcome, against my accepting your very kind proposal.

You have always justly been considered the most persuasive of men, and your achievements in Post Office reforms are evidence of the truth of this opinion. In the present case, however, I feel strongly that your blandishments ought not to prevail and must not.

I am glad to be able to tell you that your son Arthur is being appointed First Lieutenant of the "Torch" on the Australian Station, an appointment which I understand to be acceptable both to him and to you.