278 Four-i7i-Hand 171 Britain, 



called upon us and intimated that something of a 

 demonstration might be made upon our arrival in my 

 native town ; but when I found a telegram from Mr. 

 Simpson, the clerk, asking us to postpone our coming 

 for a day, I knew there was an end to play. Things 

 looked serious, but I was not going to be the sole suf- 

 ferer. At dinner I laid it down as the law from which 

 there could be no appeal, that if any public speaking 

 were to be done, Messrs. P., McC, K., the General 

 Manager, and V., were in for it. It is surprising 

 how much it mitigates one's own troubles to see his 

 dearest friends more frightened than himself. I grew 

 bolder as I encouraged these victims. Their speeches 

 were bound to be hits — no speeches have so often cre- 

 ated sensations as maiden efforts. The last two offered 

 great inducements to the ladies if they would vote that 

 they should be excused. As for the others, I made it a 

 question of ministerial confidence, and the administra- 

 tion was sustained. If you read their speeches I am 

 sure you will see the wisdom of my selections. 



I was glad to see Sir Noel Paton, Dunfermline's most 

 distinguished son, able to be at his sister's that evening. 

 The recent narrow and heroic escape from drowning of 

 himself. Lady Paton, and his son Victor, gave us all 

 renewed interest in grasping his hand again. Thrown 

 from a small sail-boat into the sea, at least two hundred 

 yards from shore, with ropes and sail tangled about 

 them, the three rallied to each other's support (for all 



