[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR, — The Spectator does not
need to be defended by its friends, even when its editor is violently assailed on a public platform by a Minister of the Crown ; indeed, in the opinion of many, to be the object of a venomous personal attack by Mr. Lloyd George is one of the best testimonials as to character and ability that our public life in its present condition can offer.
The refined and delicate irony which dismisses a political critic as " pompous " and " futile " breathes the true " Limehouse" spirit ; and the description of the Spectator as the "organ of the wealthy" shows the Chancellor's genial wit in its very loftiest form. It should appeal forcibly to many of us—regular readers of the Spectator—who would be very glad to possess a tenth part of the income which Mr. Lloyd George has earned so well by his lofty genius and dis- interested services to his countrymen (vide "Speeches of Mr. Lloyd George," passim). It is to be hoped that editors will take to heart this new rule,—viz., if a public man delivers an address and calls it "non-political," it is high treason to criticise it. Much trouble will thus be saved should the day ever come when a Chancellor of the Exchequer (with tears of emotion in his eyes) preaches rebellion in a Welsh chapel.
But the modesty of genius is even more charming than its wit. By some mystic process of reasoning, Mr. Lloyd George has appropriated to himself all the credit of the Old-Age Pensions Act. To those of us afflicted with more tenacious memories it seems that the chief credit, such as it is, belongs to Mr. Asquith, who not only made at least some effort to prepare the way, but also himself expounded the Budget of 1908, which contained the provisions for old-age pensions. Incidentally, he expounded that Budget lucidly and concisely, —qualities which have since disappeared from our annual financial statements.
The Prime Minister—all honour to him !--is not an adver- tising politician; one of his greatest faults, in the opinion of his more " advanced " followers, is that he has the respect of his opponents for his many fine qualities. To this it is to be feared he has now added another failing,—he has the sincere sympathy of many of his opponents in the possession of a colleague who is incapable of learning that cheap abuse is not oratory, and that maudlin anxiety for "poor old people" is not statesmanship.—I am, Sir, &c., A TJNIONIST FREE-TRADER.
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