Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1871-12-22
A Yankee Abroad.
HOW A METHODIST MINISTER GOT INTO
THE HOUSE OF LORDS.


All American travellers of 1855 or
therebout, will remember RandalPs |
Commercial boarding house." in King
street, London. Americans made il
their home in those days. Among the
guests at that time was the late Rev. DIR. |
j. M. McClintock, one of the best Meth
odists who ever lived but whom every |
body who knew him would call "Mac,"
in spite of his theological doctorate.-
There was also another American travel
er. He had been clergyman, and af-
terwsrd had very creditably represented
in Congress Massachusetts, district. /
shall call him the Rev Luke Grafton, al
though that is not his name to I.
One evening "Mac" said tothe Rever-
end and Honorable Luke, 81 had hoped
to offer you treat this evening. There
is to be a field night in the house of
peers. | Iexpected three tickets for the
gallery, one of which was to be for you.
Unluckily | have only two, and so |
cannot invite you to join our party
much Obliged" said the Reverend
Luke, "but am going to the Lords this
evening" "Have you an order?' "No."
''Then you won't be admitted to the gal
lery." 81 am not going into the gallery
I shall go on the floor" Impossible
you can't go upon the floor except with
a special introduction by peer; have
you an introduction ?' "No," coolly re-
piled the Reverend Luke, Il have not
any introduction; but have travelled
before, and never found any difficulty
in going where wished. / am going
upon the floor of the peers tonight. If
you are in the gallery you'll see me there.
Au revoir."
Night came, and after much crowding
and pushing, "Mac" and his friend forced
their way into the gallery of the House
of Lords. They were hardly seated
when they saw the Reverend Luke walk
ing up the floor, accompanied by an eld
erly gentleman, with the ugliest nose
and the worst fitting pair of plaid trows-
ers in the kingdom. Nobody could mis-
take this man. 1t was Lord Brougham
; Ali the evening his lordship appeared to
be much more attentive to his American
friend than to the proceedings of the
} House. At last, long after midnight,
Brougham arose and delivered short
! but fiery speech. At the close he shook
hands with the Reverend Luke, who
) bowed ana took his leave.
An hour later, Mac" found the rev.
erend gentleman quietly seated in the
coffee room of their hotel. :" Mr.. Graf
) ton" said he, we saw you on the floor
: with Lord Brougham. l didn't know
that you were acquainted with his lord
ship" II was not; never saw him un-
til tonight" "You had letters to him p
i mo, nothing of the kind" "Then how
: did you manage it." at was very sim
: pie affair."" replied Luke, "hardly worth
= mentioning; but as you seem rather Gu
: rious, | will tell you about it, though it
: is hardly worth while. / walked up to
: the peers entrance" he said you can't
pass here; if you have an order for the
J. gallery, go to the proper door, i un-
a derstand very well,' said 1 send in my
/ card to Lord Brougham.' To Lord
t Brougham, beg your pardon pass on
Y if you please
81 was stopped once or twice." contin-
ued the Reverend Luke; "but / just said,
I My card has been sent to Lord Brough-
am Nothing more was wanted. So /
|. waited few minutes in the ante-room.
A gentleman came in reading card
= through his eye glasses. | knew from
the pictures had seen that this was
a Brougham, and stepped forward to meet
a him. The Honorable and Reverend
t Luke Grafton, of America, presume,
said he. Yes, my Lord, replied
q 'and as an American, can ask your
e lordship's courtesy. In America, nc
5 name is more highly honored than that
e of Henry Brougham. From a boy ]
/ have admired your lordship's writings
and now, being in England, could not
be satisfied without meeting you, / have
been told that this is to be field-nighl
in the peers, and take the liberty to
: ask your lordship to introduce me upon
: the floor of the House. / need not say
that, should you ever visit America,
shall be happy to reciprocate the cour'
= tesy' i shall have great pleasure in do
= ing so,' said Brougham; and we went
' in, and had some pleasant talk, Brough-
ham pointing out to me all the celebri-
ties present.
"At last" continued the Reverend
Luke, without even winkiDg as he told
i the story, saw that the session was
\ drawing to close. Pardon me, my
! lord" / said to Brougham, 81 had under.
\ stood that your lordship was to speak to-
II I 4