y be a repetition of what is already
very well known. As he stood in the midst of its beautiful scenery and
surroundings, the true spirit of the great soldier shone out as
distinctly and clearly as it ever did in the many and varied
experiences we went through together in the South African War.

The eloquent and touching tribute paid to this great soldier's memory
by Lord Derby in the House of Lords in June, 1916, brought out with
telling force and happy expression Kitchener's deep affection for his
"beloved Broome."[2]

[Footnote 2: A short speech which I made on this
occasion in the House of Lords expressed my great
appreciation of Lord Kitchener's capacity as a
leader in the field.

I told the House that, after I received intimation
of my appointment to command in France, my first
act was to seek out my old South African Chief and
suggest to him that we should repair together to
the Prime Minister and ask that he might be
appointed to command, with me as his Chief of
Staff. He could not be persuaded to do this.

He was then on the point of leaving to return to
Egypt, and had no idea that he was to be Secretary
of State for War.

I do not think Lord Kitchener was always credited
by the country with the talent for command in the
field which I know he really possessed, whilst, on
the other hand, a _role_ for which he was not well
fitted was thrust upon him. As Commander-in-chief
in France it would have helped him very much to
have had a Secretary of State _other than himself_
to deal with.]

Indeed, beneath that seemingly hard and stern exterior there
existed a mighty well of sensitive feeling and even of romance, which
it appeared to be the one endeavour of his life to conceal from the
observation even of his most intimate friends.

All the next day, and far into the following, my whole time was
employed in discussing the situation with the War Cabinet.

The principal ground for all their fears proved subsequently, in the
course of the year 1916, to be only too well founded as regards the
Eastern fr