, 1913-12-31
FUN IN THE CABINET.
Mr.. AsoUIrH's MEMORIES OF Cob"
A Juvenal Story.

Mr.. Asquith told several good stories of
Sir Henry Campbell annerman, his late
chief, when he unveiled q memorial to him
at Stirling on Saturday.
Mr.. Asquith recalled the main stages in
Sir Henry's record of public service, "as
long and as varied as can be shown by any
politician of our time" Discussing "what
manner of man. the late Prime Minister was,
he said: He had certainly none of the arts
or accomplishments of the historic demago-
que. He had not only the most modest
estimate of his own capa 3jties, but also he
was curiously wanting in personal ambition.
1t is a matter of history that in 1895, when
he held the high Office of Secretary of War,
he was not only willing, but anxious, on the
resignation of Mr.. Peele, to become Speaker
of the House of Commons.
[ remember, it must have been about
1904, when the prospect of the Liberal
Party. which had been very bad, had begun
to improve, and when what was called
cabinet making laughter)-was a fav-
ourite p%astime. (Laughter.) In the lob
bies of the House of Commons one evening
l met one of our gossips. I asked him
"What is the latest news?' "Oh," he said.
''they are getting Cd famously, and so and
~ La u DOlAOlCIbh VI pIOL1loO- 10
considering whether or not he will make 'C.B'
his private secretary" (Laughter.) l old
Sir Henry the story, and I need not tell
you he was hugely delighted.
A"CB." JOKE.
He was also, though / believe he did not
take q very high degree at Cambridge,a we'll
read classical scholar. [ remember an
incident in Mr.. Gladstone's Cabinet of
1892. That Cabinet contained in addition to
its illustrious chief, quite a number of dis
tinguished classical scholars, and one day a
discussion incidentally arose-for even Cabi-
nets do not always keep to the point
Qaughterl-as to the true reading of
u line in the poet Juvenal. Most of our
big classical guns were in favour of
one reading, while Campbell Zimmerman, al
most alone, was in favour of another. The
text was sent for, and it was proved that
they were wrong aud be was right. re-
member being somewhat nettled myself
because I was on the side of the majority.
(%Laughter) | pointed out to him that the
line with which he had shown such an
uncanny familiarity was in one of the ~satires
OF Juvenal, which are not ordinarily allowed
to be read in school. (Laughter.)
Red Pepper Attack.
Mr.. Asquith on Saturday received the
freedom of the ancient Guildry Of Stirling,
and, in the quaint phraseo!ogy of the bur
gesses' oath, swore 'to watch and ward and
bear scot and lot with the neighbours and
others"
AS Mr.. Asquith, his daughter, and Sir
John and Lady Graham were approaching
Bannockburn while ON their way to Stirling
four suffragettes tried to stop their motor
car. One woman threw herself in front of
it, The driver pulled up, and detectives
who had been travelling behind the Pre-
miers car seized the woman almost from
beneath the bonnet of the car.
The other women had meanwhile attacked
the windows of the car. One threw into it
quantities of red pepper, while another tried
to strike the Prime Minister with a doc
whip. After a struggle the women were
placed in the police car and conveyed to the
county police Office at Stirling. The Prime
Minister was besprinkled with pepper
Daily Nal, NoO. 8h.