DOWNING ST. MIRRORS.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 October 1920, Page 2

DOWNING ST. MIRRORS.

NEW CHARACTER SKETCHES. GREAT MEN CRITICISED. London, Oct. 15. "Mirrors of Downing Street" is the title of a. new book of character sketches which has created & stir in London. The author is a university professor, who held a high Government position during the war. He cloaks his identity tinder the nom de plume of "The Gentleman with the Duster," which, he protests, is quite clean. The sketches arc brilliant;- written. and display knowledge, shrewdness, and subtlety, yet the pen is often penetratingly cruel. Mr. Arthur Halfour is described as the most egotistical of men, who would make almost any sacrifice to remain in office. Mr. Lloyd George is praised and genaured. He is, to quote the writer, "an illustration, due rather to vulgarity of mind, for which he is not responsible, than to the deliberate choice of a cynical partnership with the powers of darkness." Of Mr. Asqnith the author says that his original puritanism was spoilt by his marriage. The author makes a severe anl almost hostile attack on the late Lord Kitchener. "He laeked almost grace of spirit," says the work. "Ho was not brutal by nature but cultivated brutal manners. He had the happiness of three or four friendships with cultivated and good women but the creature whom he loved hungrily could never bring herself to marry him." Among the author's heroes are Lord Haldane, the late Lord Fisher, Lord Inverforth, and, in a slightly lesser degree, Mr. Winston Churchill and Lord Northclifl'e.

Discussing the former, the author quotes General Booth, who said that Mr. Winston Churchill stood in need of conversion—belief in something besides himself. Lord Northclifl'e is described as one of the most honourable and courageous men of the day, and with an intense purpose to serve what he conceives to be the highest interests of his country.