Should every Cromwell be depicted with all his warts ?
It is a nice question. Should you, for example, write of a politician, in whom, after all, intellect and character have more relevance than physical qualities: " a man so modest as to be awkward and unprepossessing in public appear- ance "; " as he speaks his short heavy body seems rigid, and its striking face with its noble profile in a plump setting is almost inexpressive "; at Nuremberg; " spectators of all nationalities saw the dumpy, undistinguished figure of Maxwell Fyfe assume greater and greater dignity." All this, let me hasten to say, is incidental to a highly appreciative article on the Home Secretary in the Observer. With the appreciation I warmly concur, but I have never myself taken so poor a view of Sir David's exterior. If it comes to that the Prime Minister might almost be called dumpy, but I never remember heariqg him so described.
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