He was a minister of very many years' standing, being as used to cabinet sittings as other men are to their own armchairs; but he had never been a hard-working man.

Though a constant politician, he had ever taken politics easy whether in office or out.

The world had said before now that the Duke might be Premier, only that he would not take the trouble.

He had been consulted by a very distinguished person,--so the papers had said more than once,--as to the making of Prime Ministers.

His voice in council was esteemed to be very great.
He was regarded as a strong rock of support to the liberal cause, and yet nobody ever knew what he did; nor was there much record of what he said.