he says, "he looks at everything out of blinkers, and has no side
lights." Of one brilliant and able colleague in the first administration
he writes, that "he has some blank in his mental constitution, owing to
which he receives admonitions most kindly, and then straightway does the
same thing over again." Of another colleague, "though much nearer the
rights of the case than many who were inclined to object, he is thin and
poor in the cabinet." Some one else is "a sensitive man, given beyond most
men to speak out his innermost and perhaps unformed thoughts, and thereby
to put himself at a disadvantage." Another public servant is "not
unmanageable, but he needs to be managed." In the same letter he speaks of
the Hibernian presbyterian as "that peculiar cross between a Scotchman and
an Irishman."

Of his incessant toil the reader has already a good idea. Here are a few
items. To one correspondent (Jan. 21, 1869) he writes: "I hope you do not
think my 'holiday' at Hawarden has proved my idleness, for I think ten
hours a day has been a moderate estimate of my work there on public
business, to which some other matters have had to be added." To the
attorney-general he says when he has had three years more of it (Sept. 18,
1872): "I cannot say with you that my office never gives me a day without
business, for in the four 'vacations' so far as they have gone, I think I
have had no less than five days. This vacation has thus far been the best;
but heavy and critical work impends." In October, 1871, he writes to Mrs.
Gladstone from Edinburgh: "I have for _the first time_ since the
government was formed, had a holiday of two whole days." To Lord Clarendon
he writes from Lord Granville's at Walmer (Sept. 2, 1869): "At the end of
a holiday morning of work, since I breakfasted at nine, which has lasted
till near four, I have yet to say a few words about...." To Archdeacon
Harrison, May 25, 1873: "As you may like to have the exact anatomy of my
holiday on the Queen's birthday, I will give it you: 2-1/4 A.M., return
home from the H. of C. 10 A.M., two hours' work in my room. 2-7, the
cabinet. Three-quarters of an hour's walk. 8-12, thirty-two to dinner and
an evening party. 12, bed!" To Sir R. Phillimore, July 23, 1873: "Not once
this year (except a day in bed) have I been absent from the hours of
government business in the House, and the rigour of attendance is far
greater now than at earlier periods of the session."

His colleagues g