CHAPTER XLIV
Anecdotal—“Which is Peace?”—Mark Twain at Tussaud’s—Dr. Grace’s story—Mr. Kipling’s model—Filial pride—Bishop Jackson’s sally—German inaccuracy.
As I proceed with my narrative, having already travelled through the memories of many years, there seem to crowd at my heels, so to speak, a great collection of humorous and curious incidents which, although unrelated to each other, are yet worthy of a place in this chronicle.
They come of their own free will readily enough when I want to engage in serious work, but no amount of persuasion will lure them from their lurking-places when I want to recount them. As I fancy my friends like my short stories as well as any, I propose to introduce a few trivialities that are sufficiently obliging to present themselves as I write.
In the Berlin Treaty days a staunchly Conservative borough was celebrating the event, and among other decorations was a large transparency showing Lord Beaconsfield and Lord Salisbury standing together, with the motto “Peace with Honour” beneath them. An old woman went up to the borough M.P. and asked:
“If you please, sir, will you tell me which is Peace?”
Charles Peace was the man of the moment just then.
