The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-06-07
DISRAELL.
Sir William Fraser Tells Some New Stories
About Him.

Sir William Fraser's new book of remin-
iscences just issued under the above title
contains many good things, from which we
select the following:
The only person whom l have met
with" says Sir William Fraser, who re-
minds me in any way Of the manner of Dis
rael in private life is Mr. Henry Irving.
When first had the honor of knowing him
l could not persuade myself that he was not
initiating Diraelps manner; the peculiar
slOwness and elaboration of utterance;
voice very much of the same timbre. and
the resemblance in other minute paTticu-
lars surprised me-"
DiSraelPs hair and pointed beard were
dyed deeD black; this could clearly be
seen when from careleSsness the dye had
not BEEN renewed.
Mr.. Gladstone, Dausing for moment as il
forgetting his next sentence, DISraeli in
stantly said across the table, though 10
help the orator, Y our last word was revo-
luton"
OF member whose physical shortSight-
edneSs was conspicuous, and whose con-
slant application and dropping of his eye
glasses irritated the House, DiSrael said
" Ii this man had eyes, how the House
would damn themP'
A noble member of the House of Com
mons, who has risen to great eminence
paused in his first speech to yawn. He'll
do" at once exclaimed Disraeli.
DiSraell said, when l meet man whose
name | cannot remember, l give myself two
minutes; then, If it be hopeless case, [
always say, And how is the old COM
plaint?"
Berral Osborne who belonged to the
same ancient race as Disraeli, was impudent
enough to say to him: Isaw you walking
in the park with Mrs. Disraeii; tell me,
what feeling can you have toward that old
lady?" DiSraeli looked at him calmly aud
replied: "A feeling to your nature per-
fectly nknown-gratitudeV An answer
worthy of Athens IN the days OF Pericles.
Disraeli hated country houses; those ''po-
lite prisons tempered by pheasantS," as Sir
William Fraser calls them. Mrs. DisTaeli
said once: Whenever we go to country
house the same thing happens-Disraei is
not only bored. and has constant ennui, but
he takes to eating as resource; he eats at
breakfast, luncheon and dinner; the result
is, by the end of the third day lie becomes
dreadfully bilious, and we have to come
away"
The Disraelis were staying sat one of the
ancestral homes of England" At break
fast, the first morning after their arrival
Mrs. DiSraelI addressed the lady of the
house in these words; Lady -, | find
that your house is full of indecent pict-
ureS!' Dismay might have been observed
ON the faces of the guests. Undaunted, Mrs
Disraeli continued: There is a most hOr-
rible picture IN our bedroom. Disraeli says
it is Venus and AdOnis. have been awake
half the night trying TO prevent HIM looking
at it,"
Though Disraeli was deeply attached to
his own wife, some of his most cynical say
ingS had reference TO marriage in general.
Coming away from a marriage on one oc-
casiOn, he said: This is a dismal bust
ness; il always depresses me. After a
funeral l am cheerful. l feel that one has
gotten rid of some one"
Disraeli held the theory that no man was
regular in his attendance in the House of
Commons until he was married; some
what Hibernian compliment to the holy
state.-GalignanfS Messenger