Section 199. ANECDOTES OF[1] GREAT STATESMEN.
Reading edition
Section 199. ANECDOTES OF[1] GREAT STATESMEN.
I. Abraham Lincoln[2].
The night previous to the meeting of the Convocation[3] of Chicago, Mr. Lincoln did not get home until[4] eleven o’clock at night. In the morning[5] Mrs. Lincoln, who possessed a most amiable disposition, remonstrated with her good husband at breakfast. She kindly, but firmly, informed him[6] that politics[7] were leading him into bad habits, especially (S. 87, N. 6) to keeping late hours[8] and drinking at the rum shops. She did not like it; she had to sit up[9], and also the children were kept awake[10]. “And now, Abraham,” she continued, “let me tell you[11] that to-night I will go to bed at ten o’clock. If you come before that hour, well and good[12]; if not[13], I will not get up and let you in[14].” Ten o’clock came that night, and true to her word, Mrs. Lincoln went to bed with her children[15]. About an hour later Mr. Lincoln knocked at[16] the door. He knocked once, twice, and even three times before[17] an upper window was raised and the nightcap of a female looked out. “Who is there?” “I.” “You know what I told you, Abraham?” “Yes, but, wife, I have got something very particular to tell you. Let me in!” “I don’t want to hear. It is political stuff[18].” “Wife, it is very important. There is[19] a telegraphic despatch, and I have been nominated for the Presidency[20].” “Oh, Abraham, this is awful! Now I know you have been drinking. I only suspected it before, and you may just go and sleep where you got your liquor[21]!” And down went the window with a slam[22]. The next day confirmed the truth of the news that the humble husband had been nominated to rule[23] over millions.—The New York Herald.
II. Prince Bismarck (S. 138, N. 12) and Lord Beaconsfield[24].
Amongst a number of amusing anecdotes of Lord Beaconsfield is one of[25] the State banquet given at Berlin at the time of the Congress, when[26] he sat next to Prince Bismarck and opposite to the crown Princess of Germany. Near to him was a trophy of “bonbons,” on the papers of which were[27] miniature photographs of the German Emperor and other members of the Prussian royal family. After the feast was over[28], the lord was busily engaged (S. 87, N. 6) in securing[29] some of these sweets to take home as a [zum] remembrance of the occasion[30], when Prince Bismarck suddenly caught him by the arm and so startled him that he dropped his spoil and exclaimed: “I see, not only does Prince Bismarck give nothing away, but (S. 6, N. 10) he does not allow anybody to help himself.” The German Chancellor, on discovering (S. 55, N. 1) that he had interrupted Lord Beaconsfield in a feat of annexation[31], burst into a hearty laugh, and retorted: “It is true that[32] I give nothing away; but, as you see, I am always ready for an honest alliance.” So saying, he turned to the table and executed an energetic raid upon[33] the “bonbons,” part of which he handed over to his British colleague.—The Correspondent of “The London Daily Telegraph.”