LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
THE SOUTH AFRICAN COMMITTEE.
[To THE EDITOR or THY " SPICTATOR."] Sin,—I notice in the Spectator of May 15th the following comment on any evidence before the South African Com- mittee :—" It nevertheless remains a most astonishing fact that the Duke of Fife can retain his regard for a man who treated him like a clerk, and, as he says, deceived him. That shows a meeker spirit than one world expect to find even in a newly fledged curate." Had this remark appeared in any other newspaper, I should have treated it with the contempt it deserves ; but, having been a consistent reader for twenty jean of your paper, and admired its high tone and general
fairness, I cannot refrain from writing you the following words in reply. It might have occurred even to a "newly fledged " journalist that it is possible for a man to continue to have a regard for another who has deceived him, if he is convinced that that man had no sordid motive for his conduct, but was actuated by a sincere desire to promote the highest interests of his country. I am aware that this is not the view which the Spectator takes of Mr. Rhodes's conduct, but, as it happens to be mine, I should make the same declaration again if a similar occasion arose.—I am, Sir, &c., FIFE.
[The Duke of Fife's reply was anticipated by Walte Savage Landor :—
" You smiled, you spoke, and I believed, By every word and smile deceived. Another man would hope no more, Nor hope I what I hoped before; But let not this last wish be vain,— Deceive, deceive me once again !"
—ED. Spectator.)
Previous page
