The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1903-07-04

| ucSl It'll utle, itlll Ic SellSlS us W
Jail when we are in Ireland" the late
DR.. Tanner, Nj. T. for Cork, used to
say. But he has such Il charming
way with him that nobody can help
liking him." That is how all Mr.. Bal
tours opponents feel toward him. No
body hits out harder than he does in
debate. but there is never any per-
sonal bitterness, amy malicious sting
in his remarks, as there almost al
ways is in Mr.. Cllmberains
Mr.. Balfour is one of the kindlicSl.
most gentle men alive. His courtesy
! and consideration for others are un-
failing. and that is why lie is the most
popular leader of the House of Com
mons in the history of Parliament In
English society he is extremely popu-
lar and much sought after. Years ago
dowagers used to angle for him for
their daughters. He is decidedly
eligible in the marriage market. being
rich as we'll rs distinguished. but lie
has never married. and nobody eN-
poets that he will. Even the most
hopeful dowagcrs have given him up
as confirmed bachelor Next to hi,
books, Mr.. Balfour finds his chief
pleasures in golting and cycling. Mr..
Chamberlain has been heard to boast
that he never takes any other exercise
than that of walking up and down
stairs. Not so his chief. Mr.. Balfour
is one of the best golfers in the House
of Commons. He started the annual
Parliamentary golf tournament and al
ways stands high up in it. He used
to be captain of the oldest and most
famous golf club in the world-thc
Royal and Ancient Golf Club of ST.
Andicws-and he is still the president
of the National Cyclists Union of
Great Britain. The head cnd,lic on the
st. Andrews links is fond of remark
ing reeretfullv that splendid golf
professional was lost in Mr.. Ralfou
when he turned his attention to states
manShip. When Mr.. Gladstone was
alive members of the House of Com
mons used to wonder whether he or
Mr.. Ralfour was fondcr of prttln2
children. Although political opponents,
they were Intimate friends. Both
liked literature better than the rough
and-tumblc Of politics, aud they were
bound together also by their fondnrss
for children. especially for Dorothy
Drew. Mr.. GlHtStOnc's pct grandcllil,l
I'm earlier years they both pettcd Lady
Syhil Primrose, Lord Rosebcriy 5
daughter. whom Mr. Gladstone nick
named 'tlr suffrage babe" because
she was born at a time when a stuff
rage bill was agitnting Parliament
Inlfour on several occasions tells with
pleasure of THE first meeting. 1t was
at Il great Conservative demonstration
in Il KcntiSh park i'm 1887. Mr. Bal
four WAS the principal speaker. and thu
writer WAS then 4 little hoy. selling
programmes for the good of the cause
as is tho habit Of tho sons of Primrose
league DANES. Greatly daring. til,
boy stopped Mr.. Ballour us he WAS
walkin" through the park to the plat
form to make his speech. and asked
him to buy a programme. Mr.. Bal
four took one anll paid ton times tn,
prnpT price. I'm glad to soc yo,
helping our cause so young. my littl,
man, he said, pHtting the boys head
What arc you going to he when YOU
grow up:' I'D like to he Il great
man in Parliament like you. sir" til,
yonngstcr replied. Don't you.' ex
claimed Mr.. Balfour, laughing
"Thercs no fun in it, Id rather be {;
boy like YOU
Some of the organizers of the meet
ing came up and told Mr. Ralfour tina
the people were waiting to hear hin
speak. but he waved them aside
Cant you see I'm tryin" to strength
ell the faith of Il young disciplc"' Ii,
said. Then he asked the boy all abou
his home life and his schoolmatcs. ant
gave him some sound advice on schoo
practice "Don't get into more fight.
than you can help. but if you have 1,
fight let the other boy knock YOU blinC
and silly before You give in. That!
the only way to get on and have ;
good time Ten years afterwarl
when the boy was working on
London newspaper die had occasion I,
call on Mr.. Balfour at his office il
Downing street. do you rememhe
buying a programme OF mo ut South
, wood in lSS7:' he asked. "Why. yes.
said Mr.. Balfour; land are YOU tn
boy for whom l kept the mectin;
waiting? Don't You think now that
was wise in telling you there was IL
| fun in politics:" This is an exampl
| OF Mr. Balfours wonderful memoir,
t AS with most absent minded men. hi
| memory for events is remarkably 600
| when they are called to his attention
, Mr.. Balfour's most striking aharat
teristic, perhaps, is his even temper
: Nothing seems to rutlle him. In til
: old coercion days he would sit for hour
: on the treasury bench of the House O
: Commons with Il pleasant smile on hi
. face while the Irish members wer
| o1,i,, \,