It is with very deep regret that we record the
sudden death on Sunday last of Sir Spencer Walpole, a regret which is personal as well as public, for Sir Spencer Walpole was one of the ablest and most valued con- tributors to the literary columns of the Spectator. It is, indeed, not too much to say that he was among the very best of contemporary reviewers. Though, as a rule, we think it extremely important to maintain the anonymity in literary criticism, it may interest readers to know that our review of the Life of Sir James Graham was from the pen of Sir Spencer Walpole. Though Sir Spencer Walpole's public life was long and useful, and though be held many offices of importance, ending up with the Secretaryship of the Post Office, it is difficult not to feel that he never attained positions quite worthy of his high character and very great ability. He was certainly fully worthy of Cabinet office had his career been a political instead of an official one. Sir Spencer Walpole's chief con- tribution to literature was his " Modern History." That is a work which it is difficult to praise too highly. Not only is it most valuable as a book of reference owing to its fulness and minute accuracy, but it is remarkable also for its clearness and dignity of style, and its sane and wise judgments on political events. Sir Spencer was essentially a just man and a sane man. He was full of kindly human feeling.
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