The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23

cause. 1t became novel; and nothing
serves better to show the genius of this
bizarre and great man than the fact that II
is an Interesting book to-day, though 1t Ia
perrncated with dls1usItion on n political
oroch which is quite meaningless now TO
most persons.
"Coningsby" shows lis n real world IL
shows us. too. In quite unconscious confess
sion, Dlsraeli az he really was--hts Oriental,
bnrparic love OF gilt and tinscl: his earnest
philosophy about basic things, and his con-
temptuous disregard OF principles in poll
tlcal war; his evil genius az a mocker and
Ais better genius as truthful satrlst; his
vanity and his insight his love for grand
phrases and his sense Of humor that made
nm laugh at them; his theory OF idealsm
ana his actual worship of auccess; and his
WHOLLY fine love for his race. as whose
champion he challenged the Tcw.dospi,inv
English worid--hls English world that he
served so eagerly whose flesh-pots he liked
10 well and without whose admiration he
could not have lived
Y was IN that unloveIy time in Eng
land when the burning out of the
great conflagration, Napoleon. had
= left men. no less cities, in than
ashes; when, though there was
mighty seething. 1t was but the seeth-
ing of enbers: time OF quack saviors.
clay heroes and ideals of brass. 1t
was time when men tried TO cure
selflshness apd dishonor by parliament
tary enactment, when they measured
policies with thc yardstick and felt
convinced that prosperity was prin-
ciplo.
1t was as IL the generation stood
like an old forest blasted by the Corsi-
can lightnins--dead at the core though
still green. and struggling haughtiiy
against tho new, vigorous generation
that was wrestling life from its desrue-
tion.
Men sought cure for tho evils, but
they shra.nk from the knife. They
strovc nightly to build IA government
out of political pills and plasters. They
thought To remedy sick social sys-
tenn by changing the name OF the sick
ness.
The nation suffered noisily. but help
lessly. 1t did not know what was the
matter II knew only that its work
crs were poor. that It's poorhouses did
not have room enough for the crowds
that throngcd into them. and that its
rich had more money than they could
spend. though they squandercd it from
the mountains OF Scotland 10 tho Col
den Horn.
Tic political doctors offered 1t dose
after dose--some Intended honestly to
cure the disease and others that were
intended crafty TO allay merely the
noise.
A littlc medlco-politica faculty Of
tho latter school OF practitioners was
gathered around Lord Monmouth in
his splendid Monmouth House. My
Lord Monmouth was so perturbed by
The situation that ho had hurried homo
from Italy. at the grave risk OF being
bored in London.
THE only thing that can save this
country" said Mr. Rigby. chief of the
ten faithful Members OF Parliament
who sat for Lord Monmouth's ten
toroughs. is coalition on sliding
scale" You had better buy UP the
political factions said Lord Mon
mouth. I'VE must make fresh
boroushs." said Taper. who had lost
his scat in the House OF Commons at
The last election. we need a good
church cry" said his fellow-sufferer,
Mr.. Tadpole. peel Is tho only hope
said the Duke of Beaumanoir
The Duke of Beaumanoir was con-
sentative of the conservatives. and an
aristocrat like tho Marquis of Mon
mouth; but though he was sadly per-
picked by tho awakening voices of de-
mocracy, he was eager enough to right
their wrongs If he could. In this he
differed from my Lord Monmouth. who
demanded of Rigby and his other chat
tells in Parliament only that they
formulate a policy. not for emptying
the warehouses;. but for preventing
any attack on the sacredness of the
property that he was accommodating and
spending on himself with holy zeal,
In his fervor for the divine right of
property and aristocracy, Lord Mon
mouth was not even actuated by the
desire that other noblemen had to per-
petuate a great name and great estates.
What Lord Monmouth had and hoped
TO get he wanted for himself He
hated his eldest son and was deter
mined to leave him nothing except the
estates that would pass to him by law.
lie had not only Quarreled with his
other son, the younger. but actually
had driven him to pauper's death
by coldly executed system of perse-
cution, because he had married against
his wishes.
In an unaccountable fit of generosity
he had pensioned his sons widow on
condition that she retire to an obscure
part OF England and give up her infant
son, the only issue of their marriage
entirely. He sent the boy to school and
never saw him or thought of him. hav-
ing detailed Mr.. Rigby to look after
him.
He happened to think Of the boy now
that he was in London. Being in want
of amusement, and perhaps feeling q
little more kindly toward his grano.
son since his mother, whom he hat
SO hated. had died while lie was abroad
no told Mr. Rigby to fetch young
Harry Coningsby from Elton.
1t was the boys first entrance Into
the world He looked with awe at tho
vast circular hall OF Monmouth House
adorned with busts Of the Caesars; a
the glowing vestibule; at the panels
in the salon. painted with pictures o.
beautiful women; at the splendid vistc
of state apartments and the room.
filled with the choicest things of the
world.
He was still more a.wed by the own
or of all these magnificences, who re-
celved him with the grand air that wal
natural to him. The face of Lord Mon
mouth was as sagacious as 1t wa!
yoluptuous, the face OF a prince. Fol
his part. he looked upprovingly on hi
grandson, with tho thoughtful ant
resolute face, the deep blue eyes, thu
chestnut curls and the strong, graceful
figure,
When Harry Conlngsby returned t
Elton 1t was as the acknowledged IA
yorite OF tho Marquis, much to tn
delight OF his little circle, In whicl
he was the unquestioned and admire'
loader. They We're young mon wh'
fa1 -1ron v,,I,., tIo foy n