Blunt took the idea, no doubt, from the custom of the French Academy.

Well, he asked me down to Crabbett Park, and George Curzon, if you please, was the poet picked to make the speech about me." "Good God," I cried, "Curzon a poet.

It's like Kitchener being taken for a great captain, or Salisbury for a statesman." "He writes verses, Frank, but of course there is not a line of poetry in him: his verses are good enough though, well-turned, I mean, and sharp, if not witty.

Well, Curzon had to make this speech about me after dinner.

We had a delightful dinner, quite perfect, and then Curzon got up.