New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-12

Age; in the second His Letters, Books and
Public Life Mr.. Meynell begins with an allu-
sion to DisraeTs statement that he was born
in the Adelphi and in a library" His birth
place really at No. Kings Road He is
described as a clever schoolboy, fond of ro-
mances." He once spoke of his youth to Lady
Derby miserable" and when she asked him
10 explain. he ssid, I was devoured by ambi-
tion 1 did not see any means of satisfying" He
is also quoted saying, Il do not care to be
amused-I prefer TO be interested" But his
early life fun OF amusement and IL his am
bition was not Immediately satisfied he was not
without encouragement TO take himself seriously
and expect success. As a young man in London
society he went everywhere, and what with his
novels, his dandyism, and his obvious cIeverness.
the satisfaction Of his ambition was only a
question of time. But it is impossible in read
ing this book to keep the developments Of his
career in mind. Mr.. Meynen does not invite
systematic discussion OF his hero. He fits
from one phase of his subject to another, and
In place Of serious portraiture offers us stories
like this one:
Dizzy, famous for his foppery was neverthe-
less nearly kept away from the coronation of his
queen Victoria because he did not happen TO
possess NE garD to go In. Only few days
before the crowning, he wrote in a private let
Ter; Il must give up going TO the Coronation as
We Members of Parliament go in state and
al must be in Court dresses or uniforms AS L
nave WithStoOd making costume of this kind
Tor other purposes, ] viii not make one now"
with that deprivation in view the young mem
Der for Maidstone had recourse 10 philosophy
Inc wise CHEAT. i console myself he saws
WIN the conviction that 10 get up very early
g o cloch), 10 SIT dressed Ike a funky in the
Abbey for seven or eight hours. and to listen to
a sermon by the Bishop Of London. be no
great enjoyment
Dizzy, however. got up much earlier than s
Lhat correlation morning. At 80 he got
Court SUIT 5nd at once proceeded to try it
% Of Mo
friendly persuasions (and the family purse) OF
his brother Ralph. Once he had his Court dress
DIZZY old not recur TO its likeness to the livery
OF a turnkey. On the contrary il not only got
him into the Abbey, but Il gave him otherwise
a speciaIly personal gratlhcation: 1T turned out
that nave d very hne leg, which L never knew
before" He finds that. like Sir Willoughbv
Patterne, he has Leg
1t is pleasant TO read of the tenderness he
showed in his family life MY letters are
shorter than Aapoeon's. but I love you better
than he old Josephine" he once wrote to his
sister. and his affection for her supplies some
Of the best passages IN his biography In his
devotion 10 his wife Mr. Meynell finds another
inspiring theme. we have been married thirty
years and she has never given me dull mo-
Inent" Disraei once said TO Lord Ronald
Cover. Man is a predatory animal" he re-
marked on another occasion. The worthiest
object Of his chase are women and power. After
j married Mary Anne / desisted from the one
and devoted my life TO the pursuit of the other"
His wife was not qualified TO render him the
fullest help in his pursuit of power. Sir WILL
lam Hareourt, who Lnew them both well, had 10
confess, IN the long letter he sent 10 THE
Times" the day after her death, that lit
not in her TO make his salon a centre Of society,"
10 gather within the range OF his influence
eminent Englishmen and influential foreigners.
or 10 sway by the reputation OF brilliant re-
unions the easy opinion of liberal minded poll
ticians- She was no Lady PalInerston to act as
her husbands most trusted ally. working for
him in season and out Of season with tact
quiekened by love" But all the resources that
she had she put at his service. and his appre-
citation was profound He loved her for the