preme; there is no time or opportunity to cement acquaintances; the old order has passed away, and the new order leaves everything to be desired, and year after year only adds to the long list of failures and disappointments on the part of those families who cling to a tradition which is nothing but a name. P. Surely the ladies you mention must have possessed far greater merits than those associated with mere fashion. You say they were highly accomplished; but even fashion and accomplishments cannot explain the vast influence they seem to have exercised. A. This is true. I will take Lady Jersey: from her earlies: youth she had played a great role in society, and was proficient in the qualifications which constitute its charm. An admirable linguist, all foreigners found a home in Berkeley Square. She posse-sed the special knowledge which rendered her society agreeable to literary men and her keenness in politics placed her at the head, as it made her house the centre, of attraction to the then Tory party. At the time I knew her she was at the zenith of her popularity. Her personal influence was remarkable. Whenever she travelled she met with exceptional attentions. I remember when she arrived in Paris she was received like royalty by all the directors of the Chemin du Nord; and when she visited the Louvre the galleries were all lit up, an honour only paid to royalty. She moved with a kind of regal dignity, as if she felt herself to be the queen of Society. What an acquaintance she had among the celebrities of the day! She frequently expressed regret that she had never kept a list of those who had dined with her since she first lived in Berkeley Square. Their very names would have been an interesting record of the past. Byron was a frequent visitor there. She told me that after his separation from Lady Byron, when he left the seat he had occupied next her at the end of the room, the ladies who approached her lifted up their dresses that they might not be polluted by touching the floor where he had passed, so strong was the feeling against him. It certainly required a great deal of self-denial to fill such a position as Lady Jersey's. One thing, she could rarely go out at night; indeed, she always dined at home, and had a table for ten or twelve every day. Her intimate friends had the privilege of writing their names down at the house, and dining there whenever there was room. Of course, this kind of life was very expensive; so, independent of popularity, prestige, and rank, other qualifications were indispensable for a lady of fashion. Lady Jersey's name recalls to my memory one who was widely known, and as widely appreciated and loved." Let me pay this tribute to Lady Clementina Villiers, the light of her home and of the society she adorned. Some one remarked to Lord Jersey, "No one was perfect." is one who is perfect-there is Clementina," was his reply. Her very presence lent a charm to all her surroundings. Leading the gay life of the Loudon season, she found time for many accomplishments and serious studies. Needless to say how many suitors she had, amongst them being the Duke d'Ossuna" pleasant, agree "There The Duke d'Ossuna represented the magnificence of the old Spanish grandees. During his prolonged absences, his palace in Madrid was kept up as if he were able, sixteen times Grandee of "May every hope and every joy we Alas! it was not to be. Lady "In the sunset of life there is mystical tion that Lady Palmerston's dine The P. What do you say to Mrs Disraeli-I beg her pardon-Lady Beaconsfield? A. Yes; he was certainly lis "guide, companion, counsellor, and find," and Lord Beacons field fully appreciated her sym pathy and devotion. He always said that he owed everything to her. But she never attempted a salon; hers were entirely domestic qualities. As the wife of a great kader and minister she had little influence on the party; in fact, was very little known. Lady Palmerston was entirely devoted to the object of confirming the wandering in their adherence, and winning over opponents. Many a difficult crisis has been avert d by Lady Palmerston entering the A. There is not the least ques- room at the suitable moment, and before." P. This was very sad; but tell me about Lady Palmerston. Do not you think that Lord Palmerston owd much to Lady Palmer ston, and that her great popularity and hospitality was of much use in his relations with his party? resident there-establishment, stables, and a daily table for twenty, at which his major-domo presided. He had eight chateaux or palaces maintained in the same condition, and as many more which only required a few days for preparation; and all this time he lived in a small apartment in Paris. 1 word! here is Lady Palmerston. I re He possessed great epi rammatic power. Some one marked there was no difference between occupation and business. Why," he remarked, "the Fr nch are in occupation of Ancona, but they have no business there." He defined a deputation as a noun of multitude. signifying a great many, but signifying very little." He certain y bad the art of keeping in office, hence the nes :— in her charming manner insisting on the discontented or disan pointed one accepting hr gracious hospitality. She possessed the power of making each visitor feel that he was the guest she delighted to honor; and thus her receptions were highly appreciated, and were of incalculable benefit to the party. Lord Palmer-ton was also admirable in his tact and manner. It was ironically said of him by an old diplomatist, “Lord Palmerston is an excellent Foreign Secretary, he has so many pleasant social vices." One thing is certain, he had remarkable social qualities. he was keen in observation, with a curiosa felicitus of expression,-a consummate actor. An old friend who was recailed from an important but distant legation, and appointed to an inferior post in Europe, came to me the day of his arrival in a state of indignation that he had never been consulted about the change. "I shall go at once to Carlton Gardens and let his lordship know in unmeasured term what I think of his abominable conduct; afterwards I will return and tell you the result." He d return; and I said I hoped he has not minced the matter with the Minister. "Plague confound the fellow! I never could say a word." "What do you mean?" Why, I sent in my card and was kept in the diningroom, while he was, of course, arranging the scene; for no sooner was I shown into his study, than before I could utter a word, he rushed up, seized me by both hands,― My dear, dear friend,' he What art can chase the tempus molle, said, 'I rejoice we have you back amongst us; you exchange barbaric life for civilisation; all your friends are so glad to welcome you.' 'My lord, I am surprised, I strug gled to say 'Not a word, not a "Full many a government I have For now twice twenty years, But yet I would not rashly blame, Or Palmerston to them?" His vanity gave occasion for many a joke; there was one, the parody on Goldsmith's "When some gay viscount, old and jolly, Thinks that his hair becomes too grey; What art can drive his years away? The only art his years to cover, To hide his age from every eye, And be the young and tender lover We used to know him, is to dye!" He might have been classed among the daudies I have mentioned. Lord Palmerston possessed great readiness and tact. A friend of mine wished to obtain a consular appointment for a re'ative-this was before the introduction of competitive examinations. "Too happy to serve you," said Lord Palmerston. "Cal to-morrow and I will see what can be done." The next day he proposed a consulship of £6,000 a-year in Asia Minor. My friend was delighted. But as he was leaving the room, Lord Palmerston called out, "I will have the papers sent for you to sign." "What papers?" " Why, you are aware that whoever recommends a consul, is made responsible for all the money that passes through the consul's hands." Need I add that there was an end of the transaction, for the relative was fond of play, which Lord Palmerston well knew. P. What was the meaning of the feud between Urquhart and Palmer-ton? You must have known Urquhart. A. Iutimately; and a remarkable man he was. His relations with Lord Palmerston were curious. I forget what was the original cause of Urquhari's hatred of Palmerston; of one thing he was cer tainly convinced, that he (Lord Palmerston) was in the pay of Russia and betrayed the interest of England. The thing was absurd; but Lord Palmerston did not like it, and was very glad when Urquhart had the opportunity of bring ing forward his indictment in the House, when, as was expected, he entirely failed to substantiate any of his charges. From that moment the faith as it was in Urquhart," as the Spectator' styled it, visibly declined. P. Had he not a large following? were a great number of persons, in luxuriousness was inferior to none in Constantinople. Here Mr Urquhart passed much of his time writing and sipping sherbet, with the themometer at 140 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. The repasts consisted of piloffs, kabobs, Indian curries, and sauces. He expended all the fortune he inherited, and the large sums he received from his many followers, on missions and couriers to all parts of the globe. Through him the world was to be renewed. Never was a greater instance of how faith in one's self can affect others. Although he has long pass d away from public life, his memory survives among many who are interested in foreign affairs. The Foreign Affairs Committee of Newca-tle, and in many large towns, still exist and have not lost faith in their great master, with whom they were always in constant communication. Numerous deputations arrived from these local bodies, to ask advice as to candidates for Parliament, or for an opinion on the important foreign question of the day. Woe betide the individual who presumed to differ from, or wrongly interpret, the oracle! Lord Houghton tells us in his melodious verse— "Westward roll the orbs of heaven, Eastward turn the thoughts of men." Every thought of Urquhart turned eastward: he could trace the influence of the East in the most trifling incident each thought was oriental. One morning he called on me accompanied by a tailor: he was to be the best man at a wedding, and wished for my advice as to his costume for the ceremony. There was a Scotch plaid lying on a chair, and the tailor, a little sallow sharp-nosed man, happened to take it up, and threw it over his shoulder. Urquhart paused in the discussion, as to blue frock-coat or blue dresscoat, gilt or plain buttons, looked at the tailor, went to him with an exclamation of astonishment, seized him by the arm, and said, "Sir, you are an Eastern." "A what sir?" said the astounded man. "An Eastern,―an Arab. N. one without Eastern blood could have worn a plaid in that way. What's "Your your name?" "Jones, sir Christian name?" "Abraham." "Exactly; I was sure it was Eastern. I don't care what your name 18,-Jones, Potis, anything you like,—you may tell your famiy that they may call themselves what they like; but they are Arabs, they come from the East, and they should be proud of it." Urquhart invited me for two days to-1 forget the Eastern name he gave his house at Watford, by the river-side but he added, “if you come early you can take a bath." I was not greatly tempted to take, as I supposed he intended, a dip in the Thames; but I left early, and reached the house about 10 o'clock, where I was received by tw servants in oriental costume, who salaamed as they showed me into the drawing-room. "Family all in bath," said one "All in the river!" I exclaimed. 'No river, no river, sahib! in bath." It seemed an extraordinary reception, still more so when a small child, with only a little linen cloth on and all dripping wet, entered the room, made a low salaam, kissed my hand, pressed it to his forehead, and said, "Papa and mamma leave bath soon," and then ran away. What it all meant I could not imagine, never having heard of this Eastern life and Torkish baths; but presently the two orientals again appeared, threw open the folding-doors at one end |