There was something about him superior to a younger generation of politicians--a dignity, a reticence, a proud and solid self-respect.

With the one exception of Mr.Alfred Spender, a man of honour and the noblest principles, he had no acquaintance with journalism.

He never gave anybody the impression of being an office-seeker, and there was no one in Parliament who took less pains to secure popularity.

Above all things, he never plotted behind closed doors; never descended to treason against a rival.
Search as men may among the records of his public life they will fail to discover any adequate cause of his fall from power.

He was diligent in office; he took always the highest advice in every military dispute; settled the chief difficulty at the War Office without offence to Lord Kitchener; he gave full rein to the fiery energy of Mr.Lloyd George; he was in earnest, but he was never excited; he was beset on every side, but he never failed to maintain the best traditions of English public life; he was trusted and respected by all save a clique.