But that is not the real point. All ,imen forgive
the eccentricities Of genius up to a point, especially those of Mr. LlOyd. George, whose cheerful buoyancy has often been a prop and help to the country. What they ought not to forgive if they value standards in public life is the kind of thing of which Mr. Lloyd George, above all statesmen, was guilty. He cheapened politics; he Made• all feel that they were being tricked and jockeyed, and that ordinary words had lost their Meaning ;, he brought honours irito contempt, and so destroyed confi- dence that the 'straightforwardness of Mr. Bonar 'Law and of Mr. Baldwin has scarcely obliterated a humiliating memory. To Mr. Lloyd. George, Mr. Bonar Law was merely "honest to the verge of -stupidity" One might almost think that most of those who regard Mr. Lloyd George as a great leader because he has immense abilities are young members of the Liberal Party who do not remember because they never knew.
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