Mr. Leo Maxse
We regret the death of Mr. Maxse, whose health, never very good, had given anxiety ever since the peculiarly sad death of his wife, formerly Miss Lushington. His spirit was always too fiery for his body, as might he expected in a son of Admiral Maxse. Yet he had been able again to take up lawn-tennis, at which he played brilliantly at Cambridge, when he was up at. King's. For nearly thirty years he made the National Review a force in the country and an entertainment to friends and foes alike. He was capable of writing a whole number himself and filling it with a refreshing invective such as is likely to die with him. We suffered severely under it in the days of the Tariff Reform campaign when he found the Spectator the worst form of Free Trade " Mandarin." Yet no one loved him less for passing under his scourge. He rightly interpreted the German spirit and aims before the War, but the reiteration of his prophecies seemed to weaken their influence, making them appear merely intemperate. He was a most loyal friend. We remember how, early in the War, while he was abusing those who were less violent against Germany than he thought right, he heard that Sir Eyre Crowe was being maligned for his German connexions by people as intemperate as himself and stupid or malicious as he never was : he flew with passion to his friend's defence. For some time past the National Review was confidently left by him for long periods to the care of his sister, Lady Miner, to whom We offer our deep sympathy.
* * * *
Previous page
