Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1891 edition. Excerpt: ... the world." In later days my mother's extraordinary eloquence and power of language (when roused) often reminded me of her uncle. The following characteristic note, left by him at the house of an acquaintance, was given to me some time ago. "Specimen of different answers by Mr. Southern's servant to the question, 'Is Mr. Southern at home?' "' Sir, he is not up.' "' He is unwell.' "' He is dressing.' "' He is engaged, ' or, 'Particularly engaged.' 'Yes, sir, but he has a gentleman with him.' N.B. Gentleman is French for Lady.' "'He is gone out, ' or, 'He is just gone out. 'He is in the country.' In short, he is not at home; and as this, in all human probability, will be the case now, I leave this note just to ask about the proof sheets of 'The Sacrifice of the Mess, ' and to ask you (Mr. Southern) to procure a copy of Scarron's "Roman Comique," on which my brother George is writing a paper. "Yours faithfully, "C. Austin "--or rather, "never See Austin." In 1851 my father took a house at Esher, London not suiting my mother or us children. My delight was great, as I was advanced to the dignity of a pony, which I named Eothen, after our friend Kinglake. "The Gordon Arms," as our house was christened by acclamation, was much frequented during the Great Exhibition by many French and German visitors. All were unanimous in their admiration of Mr. Paxton's palace of glass and iron. Report said that he drew the plans and the design in the short space of a fortnight; the original idea having been a long, low, and wide brick building with a gigantic cupola, which would have cost large sums to construct and about as much to knock down again. On the 1st of May the Great Exhibition, which owed its existence to Prince Albert, was opened by the Queen with...