One hundred years ago
There is some satisfaction in hearing of the admission of Mr Trevelyan to the Cabinet. He has proved, as no other of the younger statesman have yet proved, that he can 'endure hardness' as a true soldier of the State. Every one was grateful to him when he accepted the position which had just cost one noble-minded man his life, and had imperilled the life and embittered the heart of another during two terrible years. Mr Trevelyan knew that the post he accepted in 1882 was the post of a political St Sebastian, and, probably enough, even of a martyr who might have to seal his suffering with his blood. He knew that however his administra- tion might end, it was not within the range of political possibilities that it would end in breaking the evil spell of Ireland's destiny. Many lives must be spent in labour and sorrow, many admi- nistrations must reap the whirlwinds which have been so carefully sown for generation after generation, before any Irish Secretary can hope to retire with anything like the consciousness of suc- cess. If ever in modern times there has been a spirit of true chivalry shown, it was when Mr Trevelyan stepped into the post which cost Mr Forster no small part of the just glory which his Educa- tion Measure had won for him, and which had ended in sudden tragedy the career of the most generous, genial, and popular member of a generous, genial, and popular house.
Spectator, 18 October 1884
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