"Pantry Language"

"Gladstone founded a great tradition, since observed by many of his followers and successors with such pious fidelity: in public to speak a language of the highest and strictest principle and in private to pursue and possess every sort of woman."

Thus wrote Captain Peter Emmanuel Wright, onetime assistant secretary to the Allied Supreme War Council in his recently published book, Portraits and Criticisms. The Right Honorable Herbert John Gladstone, first Viscount Gladstone, son of the late Victorian Liberal Premier, at once denounced his father's abuser to the secretary of the Bath Club, of which both Captain and Viscount were members. Lord Gladstone wrote to the secretary: "Captain Wright is a foul fellow! A liar, a coward and a fool!"

Captain Wright was quietly expelled from the Bath Club. Last week he sued for damages. After deliberating for an hour and a half, the jury awarded him -L-100 ($500) "for loss of club amenities" and -L-25 ($125) for injury to his reputation. Triumphant, Captain Wright at once filed suit for libel against Viscount Gladstone.

Justice Horridge, before whom the damage suit was tried, said: "Captain Wright is justified in thinking that in calling him 'a liar, a coward and a fool' Viscount Gladstone employed the language of the pantry rather than that of the House of Lords."