MARGINAL COMMENT
By HAROLD NICOLSON
-FORD BALDWIN OF BEWDLEY (owing perhaps to the I speed with which the Conservative Party forgets its idols) has not remained a focus of controversy and has been able to enjoy his ease with the dignity which is so natural to him.
With what affectionate respect do those who never belonged to his party, and disliked his policy, recall the jovial interest which he took in opinions and personalities alien to his own. The tolerant worldliness of this unworldly man has been of great benefit to those of lesser parliamentary experience, for he is always ready to place his sagacity at the disposal of younger men. These sentences of thanks have been prompted by my discovering, in my diary for the winter of 1935, the record of a conversation with Lord Baldwin in the course of which I asked for, and received, advice. " How," I had asked him, " should an elderly civil servant adjust himself to parliamentary duties? " " I can," he answered, " give you three valuable rules. First, if you subscribe to a press-cutting agency, then cancel your subscription at once. Secondly, never laugh at the Opposition if they make a mistake. Thirdly, steel yourself against the attribution of false motive." How often, in the years that followed, have I pondered upon these three sane principles.
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