196 WITH MR. CHAMBERLAIN IN THE 



were as willingly rendered as they were valuable. 

 Believe me, yours very truly, 



J. Chamberlain. 



Some time after I reached home I happened to 

 be dining with an opulent uncle, a very dear old 

 fellow and a very gallant soldier, now long since 

 called to his rest. I told him that I had had the 

 choice of honours or money for my reward, and had 

 elected the latter. 



" Why didn't you take the honours," he said, 

 " and come to me if you wanted money ? " I fear my 

 answer was rather brutal, but I am nothing if not 

 outspoken. I merely remarked that as all he had 

 ever given me since my childhood was a cheap 

 match-box, which I still highly prized, I had no 

 particular reason for thinking that an attempt to 

 touch him for a " monkey " would be favourably 

 entertained. After that we passed the beans, and 

 changed the topic of conversation. 



We had a grand concert on the night of March 7 

 on board the Umbria, and collected £34 odd for the 

 Liverpool and New York Seamen's Orphanage. 

 Mr. Chamberlain presided, and, being in his happiest 

 vein, made a most excellent chairman. I append 

 a copy of the programme : 



