Page:The life and letters of Sir John Henniker Heaton bt. (IA lifelettersofsi00port).pdf/97

 Casino. Needless to say the number did not turn up; but that is the reason why the authorities have found it advisable to discontinue the use of all hymns numbered lower than 37.

The visits to the Riviera were rendered doubly enjoyable by the presence of Sir Charles Gavan Duffy and his charming gifted daughters, who lived at Nice, and entertained every one of distinction and brilliance. Sir Charles lived to the great age of 84, and was never tired of talking of his early days when he was the leader of the Young Ireland movement. His conversational opening, "When I was in prison" was a little startling to anyone unacquainted with his romantic history.

At Nice one morning when H. H. was having dejeuner with him, Sir Charles called over a waiter to tell him that he wanted the claret bottle to be corked.

"Garçon"—he began, but forgot the French word—"Garçon, voulez-vous—voulez-vous—bouchoir bouchon—boucher"—all the time waving the claret on high—"what the devil's the word?"

"Shure and is it corrk yer honour was afther wantin'?" said a mellifluous voice in the purest Tipperary, and the "garçon" was joyfully hailed as a compatriot by Sir Charles.

Sir Charles was constantly receiving letters from England insufficiently stamped, which necessitated his paying the extra postage. After a time he became so incensed that he declared he would no longer accept such letters. Soon after this a letter arrived addressed in H. H.'s flowing hand and bearing a penny stamp. This was altogether too much for Sir Charles—who quite reasonably thought that H. H. of all people might be expected to know better—and he positively declined to take the letter in. One of his daughters