We regret to record the death of Lord Esher at
the age of seventy-seven. His political ability and his accom- plishments as a writer tended to be underrated, because most of his " public " services were in some way mysterious. His early training at the War Office, under the late Duke of Devonshire, started him on a line of administrative study which enabled him to become an extremely useful member of the famous Committee of 1908 and 1904 on Army reform. This Committee also advised the Govern- ment on national defence, and several ideas which have since shaped the Imperial Defence Committee were Lord Esher's. He was trusted and frequently consulted by King Edward, and his editing of many of Queen Victoria's letters was done with a good taste which was by no means due to a timid discretion. He was essen- tially a Committee man, and the nature of his influence which was at times undoubtedly great, may be made plain to the historian fifty years hence, when his diaries will become available.
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