[TO THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR:1 Sra,—The kindly notice
in the• Times of Monday leaves little to be Eiaid of Robert Herbert's career; but as one who knew him, and has been to some extent associated with him, perhaps I may be allowed to add a few words. It is nearly forty years ago when I first made his acquaintance at All Souls, where he, with his friends and brother-Fellows Scott and Bramston—his associates in Queensland—introduced a strong Colonial element into the Society. Following him at the Board of Trade, I found evidence of the tact and care with which his work was done. Never sparing himself, and always considerate of others, he made it the object of his Depart- ment, while protecting the interests of the public, to act in a spirit of co-operation with, rather than antagonism to, the rail- way companies and other bodies he came in contact with. At the Colonial Office, where I was under him, he worked in the same spirit, striving to smooth difficulties, to promote the development of the Colonies, and to bring them nearer to the Mother-country; and understanding, as he did, both the Colonial and the British character, he was able to make allowance for divergence of view where questions are looked at from different sides. Himself of unwearied industry and great ability, a master of terse and scholarly expression, he was always genial and considerate to those whose energy and ability fell short of his own high standard. Though he could not be said to suffer fools gladly, yet if he had a lame dog in the Service he would always help him over the stile, even at the cost of multiplying his own labour, and it is needless to say that in return he reaped the reward of loving service. Sic vos non vobis must be the motto of the Civil servant. No one knew this better than Robert Herbert. With splendid abilities, unrivalled power of work, and independent fortune, he could not have failed, had he so chosen, to make his mark in public life ; but he was content in the semi-obscurity of the Civil Service to labour for others, and to be in himself the highest expression of all that is best in the Civil servant.
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