The times., 1900-12-30
ENGLISH MINISTRY AT PLAY.
Most of Them Either Nimrods or
Golf Enthusiast
tFrom the London sketch.)

Lord Salisbury has for many years
past devoted his leisure moments to prac-
tical science. and it is whispered that,
should be ever have the time to do so
he may patent an invention which would
considerably simplify the problem now
occupying the minds of many landowners
as to how to install electricity in lone
ly country house bereft Of water power.
The story goes that on one occasion,
while Lord Salisbury was taking a long
journey th-Cug. mid-France, he had for
one of his companions in the railway
carriage a man whom be at once discov-
cred to be French scientist of consider
able ability. The two talked together for
some time. and at the end OF the con-
versation the Premiers fellow traveller
observed. in burst of enthusiasm. In
meeting you, sir, / have fulfilled the
dream of my 1ifc!"
Lord Salisbury. who has great dislike
to being recognized when travelling in
cognito. listened in somewhat discom-
flied silence. You are," cried his COM
painion. ''one Of three men, and then
he enumerated rapidly the three living
English scientific authorities of the day.
Il knew / could never meet them all
but l always hoped / should come across
one of them; pray tell me which of them
you are" 81 am sorry to disappoint
you,' observed the Premier. II am sure
my name-Cecil-is one quite unknown 10
you"
Although the new Cabinet. In spite of
the increase in its numbers, Is, en- the
whole, 700 elderly to furnish q cricket
eleven Gr football fifteen, yet there can
be no doubt that more than one we'll
matched foursome could be selected from
among its members. for golf is. on the
whole, its most representative pastime
The very words Arthur Balfour" spell
links" to a great number OF his fellow
countrymen. He has written a book on
the subject of his favorite game, and he
has converted at least cne distinguished
Radical. Mr.. Asquith. to his view that,
next to politics. golf Is the only sensible
way OF killing time.
The new Secretary for War was golfer
long before ''The Man in the Street" knew
the meaning OF the word "caddle" Mr.
George Wyndham also learned golf at his
then political chiefs knee, and since the
now distant days when he acted as pri-
vate secretary to Mr.. Balfour, during the
dark days OF Irish coercion. he has always
been ready to exchange good days hunt
ing to make up a party for one OF the
many links patroniZed by the First Lord
of the Treasury.
The Duke of Devonshire mas always
been a notable sportsman. and even now
he is never so content as when acting as
host TO dozen frst-rate guns. STILL he
is fond OF indoor games. too, and. unlike
most good shots, considers that golf is not
without very special charm OF its own:
while the latest Cabinet recruit. Mr. Han
bury. Is not only golfng enthusiast, but
he is the only one OF his colleagues who
has himself put 1t on record that, to his
mind. the bicycle Is the pleasantest as
well MS the swiftest mode of transit open
to the holiday seeker.
Hunting, the sport which will always
be associated with the country gentle
man. has many devotees in the present
cabinet. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach is one
OF the most famed of Gloucestershire
Nimrods. and as for Mr. Walter Long. he
is the leading spirit of that excellent in
stitution. the House of Commons Point
to-Point steepleckase.