New-York tribune., 1885-09-13

boTry his SOn was marrying SO young. tMf. MiifeS
was not more than twenty-five. He will never
enjoy the advantage, 80 invaluable to very young
man, OF intimacy with moderately good married
women" The combined wit and knowledge of the
world of the remark were admitted by all who
heard it. One old lady, however, said it was too
Chesterfedian, and it did remind one of the famous
Letters to Son." Lord Houghton was not
straitlaced.
One of his haunts in London was the Cosmo-
politan Club peculiar resort at the top of house
in Charesst., Berkeley Square. where manv of the
e are
or l o'clock there are neither cards. nor books,
papers, cafe only one or two simple drinks
can be had; they SIT in one great room and talk ;
but the talk is as good as in any room in the world
The men come in from dinner or play ;if they have
had no engagement. often in morning dress; there
is no ceremony; but you may find there at one time
or another nearly every Euglishman whose name is
famous In letters or politics, and good many
Others quite clever, but not so well known Lord
Houghton was OF course an habitue at a place like
this. The room had once been studio OF Watts
the artist and the walls are still covered with
hinge and prominent female figures, undraped and
robust, like the favorites of RuLens. Lord
Houghton Is said to be responsible for the saying:
"rhese are not Watts's hymns. but Watts's hrs"
He pqued himself on knowing always the last
social lion. whether 1t was u poet or potentate,
the Shah of Persia or Oscar Wilde. lie WAS
charmed to have Joaquin Miller ride by his side IN
Mexican saddle in Rotten Row. and II that child
OF nature would come TO him at dinner in n frOck
coat and red cravat his delight complete.
He made party for General Grant at his
then living he gave the General Mrs. Langtry to
take down to supper. The beauty was then in the
freshness of her first success. and he doubtless
thought he could do him no greater honor The
rooms were crowded. and saw members of tie
British arstOcracy standing chairs and tables to
look at the pair Just as Horace WaIpole saws they
did at the Cummings n century AMI half before.
Lord Houghton had always heen warm friend
OF America that it was natural be should pey every
attention itt ITO to ihe great Union S General ne had
when he coud have counted the friends of the
Union in all English society on his fingers During
the discussion of the Trent difficulty. when Lord
John Russell so nearly precpitated war, Lord
Honghton took the American Minister Mr.. Adams.
with his family. down to Fryston and kept them
there till the storm of puhlc feeling had abated 1t
would have been positively dsagreeable for them
to 90 abont in society at that time.
Before General Grants arrival In England Mr..
Pierrepont. the American Minister Of that dav. got
very anxious abOnt the precedence OF the exPresi-
dent: he wished him 10 he received as an ex-
sovereign. Lord flougbton thOught this anxiety
nn-American and un-rcpnhlicaD He said openly
that Americans rave rank 10 ex- Presidents why
should Englishmen 7 lie declared 10 me that il the
point not raised General Grant would lie
received as the most lustrions of strancers every
courtesy wOuld lie Offered him hut IL a claim for
precedence was set MP the consequences might not
be agreeable. But Mr. Pierrepnnt persisted and
carr el the day Except in one or two instances
General Grant received everywhere in England all
the Difference that etiquette exacts for those who
have sat on thrones Lord HoughtOn put him
before dukes at his own table.
A circumstance tnat occurred NJ tDl9 tlIne SHOWS
the English feeling for their "bettersn as they call
them. very strongly. The Prince of Wales had
offered General Grant car in his train for the
races and Mr. Mr: PerepNnt, With With the Generals
them. Bnt Lord Houghton declired. No English
man. he said could 90 TO he races IN the Princes
train. even with General Grant. unless the Prince
commanded He evidently did not think an ex-
President equal TO royalty The party that he gave
10 General Grant was preceded by a dinner Of
twenty thirty guests. Of the highest position
fba IN rltah Qtuta HuEa rfiara
was asked to accompany my chief. and thougbt
his son, then lad of nineteen, might like to be of
the party. ] felt intimate enough to ask Lord
Hourbton to invite the young man. But Lord
Iloughton declined He said il would give him the
greatest pleasure to make place, but it was
absolutely impossible; his table was full.
Lord HougbtOn always on the lookout for
fresh experiences. Once he came to breakfast
that I made for my old comrade. General Horace
Lane and the Diamond Market at the East End of
London, under the auspices of famous detective
from Scotland Yard. Lord lIoughton at oace
asked to make one OF the party, and we of course
were del GIFTED 10 have him. The next Sunday at
abont IL o'clock we started. for Sunday was
market day In diamonds. We we're TO wear our
to the East In n cab, and Lord llonghton dismissed
his carriage too fine The detective was waiting.
and by noon we found our way to Petticoat Lane
IL is long covered way. like an arcade. with high
stalls and booths either side-the stands covered
with secondhand clothes-and Jews for salesmen.
shouting 70 the thrGngs that passed, Inc ,, nG,se
nccssant; the mart was tlle, with sailors and
other rough men. women and children; many. we
were assured by guide we'll known characters of
East London. The air was stuhy. the smells we're
greasy and the whole reminded one OF q chapter
out OF the Fortunes of Nigel" MANY Of the dresses
for sale were gay and theatrical Others coarse and
more suitable to the purchasers. We were told to
keep our pockets we'll closed. and not TO atomrt to
buy. as the goods might be infected. There was
Snarrsln sTehtg = ara ar SINGING nTssg ns ah
place and tho people we'll. and was probably
known in return by those present whose attentions
were most to be avoided In an hour we were ready
to leave.
Next we penetrated a narrow and empty court
and found way to one OF the old inns so common
in English country towns, and OF which not few
still linger in the quaint quarters around White
chapel and Betbnal Green. After giving sgnh-
cant rap, for the shutters we're closed we passed
through the tap-room and entered the inn paror
where dozen or more small counters were ranged
around the wall. Behind them stood the dealers
The customers were few, only the initiated being
admitted to these penetralla of trade. The
dealers were Jews. Many of the jewels were very
fine; sometimes they were IN cases. but most OF
them were not exposed until the moment they were
shown.
No one knew who any of our party but the leader
were: but the Jews soou discovered that we we've
not traders. like the other purchasers, for there
great jewellers at the West End. There were many
attempts to sell to u.s. but our protector cautioned
us not to buy. as we should certainly be cheated;
Neither General Porter nor | was tempted. but
Lord Houghton looked rather eagerly at som"
famous stones brought from Holland, where the
market is very fine The detective. however,
warned the dealers not TO sell 70 u.s. and they all
stood evidently in awe of him. But they We're sly
and 40 was the peer; when neither the oficor nor
The Americans were looking there was purchase
and sale Some very goodlooking stones. at an
apparently nominal prico. found their way to Lord
Iionrhton's purse. The prices. indeed, were all
low for the stones, and we discovered
what enormous profits the shopkeepers must
receive.
After an bour OF more we entered inner room
where nj half dozen tables the buyers and sellers
were feeding. We had coarse but palatabe meal,
Of Jewish dishes for everything was Hebrew. even
to the detective who think was nameu Levi. One
of tho dealers camc to us there b. suspected that
we could be oozened and he tried to win over Levi
bnt In vain. Lord Hought0u, however, insisted on
chnnortng He had rellshed his wine, aud he always
TT A., 70 ihe effect of his rank on the lower