One of the pleasantest memories of my later school days was of a dance given by Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Levy and the Misses Levy at Lancaster Gate. The cotillion was led by Sir Howard Vincent, and many of the smart and well-known men of that day were there; among them Sir Eyre Shaw, the "Captain Shaw" of "Gilbert and Sullivan" fame. Patti, who was a very intimate friend of theirs, was present, sitting in the middle of the room looking angelic and surrounded by a host of admiring men. We were each given a miniature bugle. Patti had one also, on which she sounded a note, and whoever repeated it exactly was to gain her as a partner in the dance. The men advanced in turn, some blew too high, and others too low, until one and all gave up in disgust. At last my turn came; I was trembling with eagerness and excitement, and determined to dance with Patti or die.... I hit the note!... and gained my waltz!--and the applause was great as I carried off my prize. [Illustration: MR CHARLES COX (BANKER) 1881] In earlier days I went to a juvenile party at Lancaster Gate, and, going down to supper late, I found myself quite alone. I calmly devoted my attention to some _méringues_, while it seems that my people, amongst the last of the guests, were ready to go. The ladies were putting on their cloaks.... I heard the sounds of departure, but, still engrossed in the good things, I ate on. Hue and cry was raised for me; and finally I was found covered with cream and confusion amongst the _méringues_. I remember, _à propos_ of my being a "gourmand," that I was a great believer in the efficacy of prayer. My sister and I used to rise very early in the mornings after dinner-parties to rummage in and to ransack the cupboards for any dainty we fancied. After a good "tuck in," we would pray for the forgiveness of our sins, and then we would fall to breakfast with an easy conscience. CHAPTER III MY FATHER'S FRIENDS My father's friends.--The Pre-Raphaelites.--Plum-box painting. --The Victorians.--The Post-Impressionists.--Maclise.--Sir Edwin Landseer.--Tom Landseer.--Mulready.--Daniel Roberts.-- Edward Cooke.--Burgess and Long.--Frith.--Millais.--Stephens and Holman Hunt.--Stanfield.--C. R. Leslie.--Dr. John Doran. --Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Hall.--The Virtues, James and William.-- Mr. and Mrs. Tom Taylor.--A story of Tennyson.--Sam Lover.-- Moscheles _père et fils_.--Philip Calderon.--Sir Theodore and LadyMartin.--Garibaldi.--Lord Crewe.--Fechter.--Joachim and Lord Houghton.--Charles Dickens.--Lord Stanhope.--William Hepworth Dixon.--Sir Charles Dilke.