MEN I HAVE PAINTED
foresight of the deepest significance, the disruption of the old Liberal Party. He looked like an ancient Druid foretelling, with the inspiration of an oracle, the coming disaster to the Liberal cause.
Of Parliament he hardly spoke save in accents of misgiving and despair; and he did not hesitate to say that since the time he had been a member of the Commons, the whole atmosphere of the House had changed for the worse; that in its present condition he could not have retained a seat in it; that its appearance, as well as its manners and procedure, had completely degenerated. But it was the total disregard of the old form and ceremony that particularly shocked him.
He followed the campaigns in France and on the then victorious Russian front with almost boyish ardour: and the operations in the Dardanelles and in Gallipoli led him to anticipate the capture of Constantinople, and the consequent junction with the Russian armies, with enthusiastic hope.
One morning, when the news from the East seemed to be particularly favourable, he told me that Lord and Lady Morley were coming to lunch; but as Lady Morley was not very well, Lord Morley might come alone. "In that case," he continued, "you may take her place, as there is room at the table for three only." Presently Lord Morley came in alone, and I was introduced to him. He did not remember meeting me at Hawarden many years before, and I found him looking thin and older. I carried on my work until lunch was served. We had it at a small table brought into the room each day. Lord Armitstead took his usual seat, and placed Lord Morley and myself side by side opposite him.
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