I am reminded, in this connexion, of a story which
was told by Dwight Morrow—who was in truth a great European, while remaining a great American. It was during the War. He had some business with Sir Joseph Macleay, at that date British Minister of Shipping. One of Sir Joseph's assistants interrupted their conversation by a whispered dialogue. " Be careful," said Sir Joseph to this Civil Ser- vant, " not to violate Rule Six." " And what is Rule Six?" Morrow asked after the flustered Civil Servant had with- drawn. " Rule Six," answered Sir Joseph, " is this : ' Do not take yourself too seriously '." " That," said Dwight Morrow, " is a good rule. What are the other five rules?" " There are no other rules," answered Sir Joseph. It may seem unkind to quote this war-time apophthegm. It is not aimed at Miss Rathbone, who tilts at her windmills with wholly altruistic fervour. Yet it is so easy to attribute to others timidities which are unreal timidities. When I first entered the House of Commons I had occasion to ask Lord Baldwin what he considered should be the guiding principles for a new politician. He gave me good advice. And among the sane and decent things he said was this : " Do not mind overmuch the attribution of false motive."
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