Friday, March 04, 2011

03Oct1881, New Marvel: A Telephone

HAWARDEN, October 31st—November 6th, 1881.
—That enchanting new marvel, a telephone, has been put up, whereby Castle and Rectory converse ad libitum. Uncle W., who is in some respects the greatest Tory out, will have nothing to say to it. Sir John Lubbock came and 2 pleasant daughters, one a handsome Mrs. Mulholland and quite young, whose husband died some years ago on their honeymoon, 3 weeks after marriage: the other cock-eyed but agreeable and clever. Also came Mr. Goldwin Smith, and later in the week, Sir Bow-wow Harcourt (fresh from good big bow-wow speeches at Carlisle), wife and son; and Sir Ralph Lingen, whom F. brought with him from Ireland, whither he flew on Wednesday for 2 nights. This company, with the addition of the frog Mr. MacColl and great Bp. Lightfoot (who is the image of a toad), made it a notable week, full of interest.

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