It should be added that this petition was refused both by Liberal and
Conservative Governments, for Lord Salisbury's second Administration
came into office before the Burtons left England. But there was this
difference: whereas Lord Rosebery reprimanded Burton for his frequent
absence from his post, Lord Salisbury was very indulgent in the matter
of leave. He recognized that Burton's was an exceptional case, and gave
him exceptional privileges.
They remained in London until the end of the year, and on January 4.,
1887, they left England for Cannes, where they spent a few pleasant
weeks, rejoicing in the sun and blue sea and sky. They enjoyed a good
deal of society at Cannes, where they met the Prince of Wales and many
friends. On Ash Wednesday occurred the earthquake which made such a
commotion on the Riviera at the time, and of which Sir Richard Burton
gave the following account:
"A little before 6 a.m., on the finest of mornings, with the smoothest
of seas, the still sleeping world was aroused by a rumbling and shaking
as of a thousand express trains hissing and rolling along, and in a few
minutes followed a shock, making the hotel reel and wave. The duration
was about one minute. My wife said to me, 'Why, what sort of express
train have they got on to-day?' It broke on to us, upheaving and making
the earth undulate, and as it came I said, 'By Jove! that is a good
earthquake.' She called out, 'All the people are rushing out into the
garden undressed shall we go too?' I said, 'No, my girl; you and I
have been in too many earthquakes to show the white feather at our age.
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