The Prime Minister is tired.

Bonar Law in a long conference that Crosby and I had with him yesterday wearily ran all round a circle rather than hit a plain proposition with a clear decision.

Mr.Balfour has kept his house from overwork a few days every recent week.

I lunched with Mr.Asquith yesterday; even he seemed jaded; and Mrs.Asquith assured me that "everything is going to the devil damned fast." Some conspicuous men who have always been sober have taken to drink.

The very few public dinners that are held are served with ostentatious meagreness to escape criticism.