The way in which politicians speak of Mr.Asquith as having "preserved the unity of the nation" in August, 1914, is index enough of the degraded condition of politics.

A House of Commons that had hesitated an hour after the invasion of Belgium would have been swept out of existence by the wrath and indignation of the people.

Mr.Asquith was the voice of England in that great moment of her destiny, a great and sonorous voice, but by no means her heart.

He kept faction together at a moment when it was least possible for it to break apart; but he did not lead the nation into war.

It was largely because he seemed to lack assurance that Lord Haldane was sacrificed.