eb. 23rd. Gilbert went as Mr. Lane's guest to a dinner of the "Odd
Volumes" at the Imperial Restaurant. The other guest was Baden
Powell. He and Gilbert made speeches. . . .

March 8th. Gilbert was to speak on "Education" at a C.S.U. meeting
at Sion College, but a debate on the Chinese Labour in South Africa
was introduced instead and went excitingly. There is to be a big
meeting of the C.S.U. to protest. Though I suppose it's all no good
now. When the meeting was over we adjourned to a tea-shop and had
immense fun. Gilbert, Percy Dearmer and Conrad Noel walked together
down Fleet Street, and never was there a funnier sight. Gilbert's
costume consisted of a frock coat, huge felt hat and walking stick
brandished in the face of the passers-by, to their exceeding great
danger. Conrad was dressed in an old lounge suit of sober grey with a
clerical hat jauntily stuck on the back of his head (which led
someone to remark, "Are you here in the capacity of a private
gentleman, poor curate, or low-class actor?"). Mr. Dearmer was clad
in wonderful clerical garments of which he alone possesses the
pattern, which made him look like a Chaucer Canterbury Pilgrim or a
figure out of a Noah's ark. They swaggered down the roadway talking
energetically. At tea we talked of many things, the future of the
"Commonwealth" chiefly . . .

March 22nd. Meeting of Christian Theosophical Society at which
Gilbert lectured on "How Theosophy appears to a Christian." He was
very good. Herbert Burrows vigorously attacked him in debate
afterwards . . . _Napoleon of Notting Hill_ was published.

April 27th. The Bellocs and the Noels came here to dinner. Hilaire
in great form recited his own poetry with great enthusiasm the whole
evening . . .

May 9th. the Literary Fund Dinner. About the greatest treat I ever
had in my life. J. M. Barrie presided. He was so splendid and so
complimentary. Mrs. J. M. Barrie is very pretty, but the most
beautiful woman there was Mrs. Anthony Hope--copper coloured hair,
masses, with a wreath of gardenias--green eyes--and a long neck, very
beautiful figure. The speakers were Barrie, Lord Tennyson, Comyns
Carr, A. E. W. Mason, Mrs. Craigie (who acquitted herself
wonderfully) and Mrs. Flora Annie Steel. After the formal dinner was
a reception at which everyone was very friendly. It is wonderful the
way in which they