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Hamilton, Frederick Spencer, Lord, 1856-1928

"The Days Before Yesterday"

"So,
Herr Ober-Inspector, endlich sind wir glucklich herunter gekommen.
Jetz konnen Sie nach Hause immer aug gleichem Fusse gehen.
Naturlich! Jedermann weisst wie abscheulich kraftig Schwedischer
Punsch ist. Die Strasse ist ganz leer. Gluckliche Heimkehr, Herr
Ober-Inspector!"
It was difficult to attend the Club without becoming a connoisseur
in various kinds of German beer. Brunswick boasts a special local
sweet black beer, brewed from malted wheat instead of barley,
known as "Mumme"--heavy, unpalatable stuff. If any one will take
the trouble to consult Whitaker's Almanac, and turn to "Customs
Tariff of the United Kingdom," they will find the very first
article on the list is "Mum." "Berlin white beer" follows this.
One of the few occasions when I have ever known Mr. Gladstone
nonplussed for an answer, was in a debate on the Budget (I think
in 1886) on a proposed increase of excise duties. Mr. Gladstone
was asked what "Mum" was, and confessed that he had not the
smallest idea. The opportunity for instructing the omniscient Mr.
Gladstone seemed such a unique one, that I nearly jumped up in my
place to tell him that it was a sweet black beer brewed from
wheat, and peculiar to Brunswick; but being a very young Member of
the House then, I refrained, as it looked too much like self-
advertisement; besides, "Mum" was so obviously the word.


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