The evolution of Earl Winterton out of Viscount Tumour marks
a transition from enfant terrible into something like Elder Statesman. For Viscount. Tumour was really a rather terrible infant ; he was very young—only twenty-one—and very Conservative, and I seem to remember that he made scenes. Then gradually, as so often happens, he mellowed. In 1907 he became Earl Winterton ; in 192z Under-Secretary for India for two years, and again in 1924 for five years ; in 1937 Chancellor of the Duchy. Now after forty years, from being the " baby " of the House, he is within two or three years (Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. Lambert are in front of him) of being its Father. From a back bench, in singular antistrophe with one or two unexpected members across the floor, he keeps a vigilant eye on the Government and criticises it for its good—never, at any rate, irresponsibly. He has won general respect; and well deserved the celebration-dinner .his friends gave him on. Tuesday. If any foreigner, perplexed by English vagaries, wonders what an Earl is doing in the House of Commons, the answer is That Lord Winterton
holds an Irish earldom and has therefore no seat in the Lords.
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