The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-26

Where right Is common and universal
ana capable of being exercised by ali
az 'he same time. there is no applicable
IVY OF the rule. that he who In It's enjoy
a.. "en. Is prior In point OF time Is prior
- ',sht. lie who Is first in the field does
'v. ehefeoy gain monopoly OF use.'
oh the day on which I had attended
the conference at the chawmbers' of Sir
Iohn Rigby l had been touched lightly
ON the arm by that gentleman as the So
Hcltors were withdrawing. Sir John re-
Quested me to remain moment When
we were alone he proceeded in the most
Impressive way to inquire how long
would be In London. and to add that ten
years ago he had visited America and con-
ceiVed the most lively affection for the
americans. In all his life he had never
known what hospitality was TIL he had ex-
perlenced II at the hands OF Americans
lie loved Americans. he declared. and
always longed to show how gratefully
he cherished the memory Of the kindness
ne had received. He insisted that
should give him n day for a dinner at
the Reform Club. where / would meet
Sir Charles Russell. He had no estab-
lishment OF his own in the city at the
ume. but could give me very fair din
ner. and the wines of the Reform Club
were as good as any in England The
manner Of Sir John was so genial and
generous that was charmed / accepted
the invitation. and met Sir Charles Rus
sell. To my delight I found nothing of
the reserve or distance of which / had
been warned as a possibility. When
parted with Sir John Rlgby, after
delightful evening, he placed his hand
on my shoulder and repeated the kind
things he had said about America and the
Americans.
These Englishmen are more like Vir
ginians as they were when l was boy
than l ever conceived. In manner, voice.
pronunciation. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
about them-reminded me of the grand old
fellows. now almost all dead and gone.
in Virginia. When / was In court could
have closed my eyes and imagined /
heard Mr.. James Lyons or Mr.. Alexander
Holiday. or Colonel John b. Young. OF
the old Virginia bar, addressing the coun-
" court OF Henrico. as they did when
came to the bar in 1869. That old gen
Grafton is about passed away. but the
type from which II sprang Is still in
England.
Counsel for the other side then got
hold OF me- and l visited MIR. Wallace,
Q. c., at his beautiful home. We were
much disappointed that Sir Richard Web
ster and Mr.. Moulton could not come.
Besides my legal brethren, the theatri-
cal folks helped TO make my two weeks
stay in London pleasant. Henry Irving
had me with him to see King Lear. and
afterward entertained me in his apart
ments. where we had supper. He is
charming fellow. and l was astounded
to discover off the stage no trace OF the
mannerisms which everybody who has
seen him on the stage Will recall. Bran
Stoker. Mr.. Irving's right bower, was
very cordial. ] found splendid company
assembled about the great actors board.
There were Cummins Carr. Joseph Hat
ton Knight. the Shakespearean common
tator: Toole. the great comedian and
Senator Jones Of Nevada. Toole is sew
enty years of age. but vigorous, and
with all his wonderful ability preserved.
We became quite thick. He took me TO
see Walker Of London his play. and
afterwards to the Garrick Club. / found
my companion as merry and full OF good
fellowship as a college boy
"When I was forced TO leave London
l had enough fun cut out 10 last me till
the dog days. I'm going TO live on crack
ers and cheese awhile and go back there.
IL I saw 10000 British lions tails about
me would not want 10 pull one Of them;
] would want 10 decorate them with blue
and old gold bows in grateful remem-
brance Of two weeks kindness such as
was never surpassed anywhere At the
risk OF being called an Anglo maniac. !
will maintain that there is no more splen-
did nation on this earth than the English,
and no finer fellows in the world than
those / met in my brief stay in Lon
DON"