Turf Friendship 747 a right to give advice, having suffered on both sides, for being too sporting and for not being sporting enough. That is my experience. "Is there no compensation to those who pursue a sport which is carried on under such difficulties? I myself am of opinion that there are friendships formed and a knowledge of the world formed on the turf which are invaluable to any man who wishes to get on in life. There was a famous lady who lived in the middle of this century, Harriet, Lady Ashburton, who summed up her views on the subject in a remark which has been preserved by the late Lord Houghton. She said, 'If I were to begin life again, I should go on the turf merely to get friends. They seem to me to be the only people who really hold together I do not know why. It may be that each man knows something that would hang the other, but the effect is delightful and most peculiar.' If that was the cause of turf friendship, the effect would be most peculiar; but of this I am perfectly certain, that is not the real basis of turf friendship. I know nothing that would hang any of those I have known on the turf, and I am quite sure that if anybody on the turf, or if anybody, had known anything that would hang me about three years ago, I should not be in life at this moment. But there must be more than friendship-more than secrets which are too dangerous for people to carry about with them-to constitute the real bond of union on the turf." Lord Rosebery expressed the belief that the sport of racing was never better nor purer than at this moment, never more honest in its following, and never pursued with greater interest for the honour, as apart from the lucre, of the turf. Returning to the labours of Parliament, it was announced at the opening of the 1895 session that difficulties between France and this country regarding the Sierra Leone frontier had been arranged. The China and Japan war continued. The Queen's Speech spoke of further atrocities in Armenia, and of the representations which had been made to the Porte urging the punishment of the offenders. The Sultan was still promising reforms. In the debate on the Address tributes were paid to the late Lord Randolph Churchill, whose untimely death had occurred not long before. The Irish members wanted to have a dissolution, in order that Home Rule should again be submitted to the country. Mr. Morley wished to know why the Irish should want to eject from office a Home Rule Government, and, though Mr. Balfour and Mr. Chamberlain attacked the Government, majorities of about twenty were secured. The Government, with so small a majority to count upon, were greatly hampered in their efforts, but persevered with their programme. They obtained the second reading of the Land Law (Ireland) Bill, got through Fall of the Government 749 several of the chief clauses of the Established Church (Wales) Bill, had introduced the Local Option Bill, the Crofters Bill, the Conciliation of (Trades Disputes) Bill, and the Factory Bill. The latter was subsequently passed by general consent. It greatly strengthened the protective and sanitary regulations of the statute, reduced overtime for women, abolished it for young persons, and for the first time brought laundries and dock labour, in respect of accidents, under the law. During the year England's relations with Egypt had been of a satisfactory nature. The Khedive had inspected a British fleet at Alexandria in May, which made a most favourable impression on the natives. Reforms were being pressed on Mr. Kruger in favour of the Uitlanders, and hopes were entertained of success in that direction. The fall of the Government was to come in June, on a minor question regarding the supply and reserve of small arms ammunition. Mr. Brodrick contended that the supply was insufficient, and moved the reduction of the salary of Mr. H. Campbell-Bannerman, the Secretary of State for War, by £100. Mr. CampbellBannerman was supplied with figures by his department which seemed to be a complete justification of his policy. At first, when the debate opened, there was no thought of attempting to defeat the Government. A number of Liberals were away unpaired. As the debate proceeded, however, it was seen that, owing to the numbers then in the House, there was danger for the Government, and when the division took place the figures were: for the reduction, 132; against, 125-a majority of seven against the Government. Lord Rosebery regarded the vote as a fatal one for the Government, and the Ministry forthwith resigned, on June 24. It is probable that Lord Rosebery was by no means sorry to give up office. His health had for months been most unsatisfactory. He had been grievously affected with sleeplessness, there were constant talks of "caves" against him on his own side, the party who objected to a Peer Premier were constantly girding at him, and meanwhile he and Lord Kimberley, his able Foreign Secretary, had upon them the terrible strain of those Armenian atrocities, the dreadful anxiety of the knowledge of the facts, with full sympathy for the sufferers, but without the power, against the rest of Europe, to take isolated action-for the peace of Europe it was essential to maintain. For several reasons, therefore, it is certain that Lord Rosebery gave up the seals of office without regret. When he holds them again, may it be with a united party to support him, and a party with a large enough majority to make its path easier! Some of the work of his Government is referred to in greater detail in subsequent pages. CHAPTER XXVII LORD ROSEBERY S GOVERNMENT AND LONDON-THE NECESSITIES OF LIFE-LICENCE REFORM-CARE OF THE INSANE-LABOUR POLICY- ΟΝ NE of the most notable events of Lord Rosebery's Premiership was a great meeting at the St. James's Hall, when London gave its welcome to the Premier. It was a famous meeting, one of the largest and most enthusiastic ever held in the Metropolis. Mr. Asquith was amongst the supporters of the Earl. Lord Rosebery, who had a magnificent reception, said: "Mr. Chairman,-I love that designation; it is familiar to me from some of the pleasantest associations of my life. I thank you warmly for this magnificent address that you have presented to me. It shall remain with me as long as life, and I trust that those who come after me will regard it as a precious possession. It is, after all, the greatest proof anybody can get of the confidence of any body of men that he should have worked with them in hourly and daily |