MR. BALFOUR AND GEORGE WASHINGTON.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR:9
Stn,—I am reading "Alexander Hamilton," to which my attention was principally drawn by the review in your issue of July 14th. I cannot help wondering that your reviewer took no notice of what is written on p. 204. I am a fervent personal admirer of Mr. Balfour, but I cannot fail to recognise how closely this description of Washington suits itself to Mr. Balfour in his late unhappy predicament :—
" Washington, whose influence in a united Cabinet would have ben a tower of strength, was put out of action at the height of the battle. his convictions were on the side of the Federalists, but his sense of duty forced him to play the arbiter. At moments when a bold pronouncement was the thing most needful, he was engaged in a conscientious examination of arguments Having provided himself with a Ministry of conflicting-principles, he felt bound to consider their conflicting advice. By his delay in coming to a decision he frequently lost the advantage of prompt action, and raised suspicions that there was room for doubt upon the merits of the case But further he was guilty of a tactical error in retaining colleagues with whom he was in utter disagreement He seems to have cherished the illusion that by adopting this course he would disarm their hostility."
It is no mark of disloyalty to Mr. Balfour to compare him with Washington.—I am, Sir, &c., NORTH WALES.
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