The steadfast funds maintain their wonted state
While all the other markets fluctuate.


Butler wondered whether Handel would have sent the steadfast funds up
above par and maintained them on an inverted pedal with all the other
markets fluctuating iniquitously round them like the sheep that turn
every one to his own way in the 'Messiah'. He thought something of
the kind ought to have been done, and in the absence of Handel and
Dr. Morell we determined to write an oratorio that should attempt to
supply the want. In order to make our libretto as plausible as
possible, we adopted the dictum of Monsieur Jourdain's Maitre a
danser: "Lorsqu'on a des personnes a faire parler en musique, il
faut bien que, pour la vraisemblance, on donne dans la bergerie."
Narcissus is accordingly a shepherd in love with Amaryllis; they come
to London with other shepherds and lose their money in imprudent
speculations on the Stock Exchange. In the second part the aunt and
godmother of Narcissus, having died at an advanced age worth one
hundred thousand pounds, all of which she has bequeathed to her
nephew and godson, the obstacle to his union with Amaryllis is
removed. The money is invested in consols and all ends happily.

In December, 1886, Butler's father died, and his financial
difficulties ceased. He engaged Alfred Emery Cathie as clerk, but
made no other change, except that he bought a pair of new hair
brushes and a larger wash-hand basin. Any change in his mode of life
was an event. When in London he got up at 6.30 in the summer and
7.30 in the winter, went into his sitting-room, lighted the fire, put
the kettle on and returned to bed. In half an hour he got up again,
fetched the kettle of hot water, emptied it into the cold water that