Year: 1874

Look at him as he slopes along with the
easy sauntering air of a man of fashion, who
has nothing to do but lounge about, holcing
his ivory-headed cane in his apparently nerve-
less grasp; yet what work has that hand ac-
complished two of the best acting plays
that hold their place on the stage, to say
nothing of the novels, tales and sketches so
full of the bright creations Of his genius The
loss of this great man, orator, poet, statesman,
novelist, is still, l think, too recent to enable
us to realize the full extent of our national
calamity. Although l know only too well he
sleeps in that place where kings and poets lie,
yet l can hardly bring myself TO believe
shall not meet him again in some OF his ac-
customed haunts; l have so often known him
absent for longer period, and turn up again
as bright, cordial aid kindly as ever. He bad
taken his seat, Of course; but it is curious
thing that he never once spoke in the House
of Lords. The golden chamber n.ver once
heard the sound of the new peers voice any
more than it did that of his iustrious rival,
Macaulay, the picked litterateur OF the Wings.
They were anxious TO get Lord Lytton .'up"
on the question of the dsestablishment OF the
Irish Church but he contrived to evaoe the
scent of the "whp," who sought him in vain,
both at Knebworth and in Grosvenor square.


The hoi polloi were not very familiar with
Lord Lytton's presence. He was not often
seen in the parks or other places of public Te-
sort; but in that park of Oxford street bound
ed at one end by Marble Arch and at the
other by the Regent Circus, he was well
known, and many hat went off in silent
greeting as he passed on his way, his brou-
CHAM generally following, TO tine Portland
Club; there he spent a couple OF hours every
afternoon in the season. 1t was in this local
ity met him, two days, think, alter his
name appeared in tie Gazette. In later life
he was generally deaf; but L said, "Good
morning, my lord" lie heard me, and,
laughing, replied l was the first person who
had called him by his new title.


The last time met this distinguished man
was at st. Leonard's, where had gone for a
short holiday. l came quite suddenly upon
him one wet, stormy November evening, and
not far from the archway by the South Saxon
Hotel. 1t was blowing gale of wind, and
his slender figure Wavered and rceled almost
as he tried to make head against the blast.
He had no overcoat, aud that which he did
wear looked, thought, faded and shabby. l
was trying to slip past him unobserved, for he
| never met me without stopping 10 say few
| kind words; but he recognized me at glance,
| caught hold of my arm and asked me TO come
with him to the Queens Hotel at Hastings,


where he was staying, and dine. He was


without any umbrella, the rain fell in torrents,
| and covered Eim as well as l could with


mine. found he occupied apartments on


the ground floor at the hotel. They seemed


in a sad state of confusion. The floor was


strewn with a litter of books and papers, and


copiously sprinkled with Turkish tc bacco, an


odor of which pervaded the air. The table


was laid with covers for three, but only my


self and the host sat down. He ate, OBJ


served, but sparingy, and drank nothing bu


water, with dash of sherry in it. In ths


evening, as | was taking my departure,