To make an interesting book out of the life of
a successful Chancery lawyer, a popular but humdrum M.P., an exem. plary though not brilliant Lord Chancellor, was not an easy task for Sir Charles Mallet, nor an it be said that his Lord Cave : a Memoir (Murray, 15s:) has Much general appeal. A friendly journalist who described Lord Cave as " bald and tall, polite and persistent," gave pretty much the impression which we get from this book. The introductory chapter by Lady Cave certainly does breathe the breath of life into it, and that is almost too wifely. If it does show " something of the beauty and simplicity " of her husband's character, it makes one feel an intruder in places that should not be pro. faned. Healy summed up Cave's character well when he wrote to him : " You typify to my notion the fairness and poise which in the main has kept England going." He was an honest, courteous, friendly gentleman—even when he was denouncing the Marconi scandal, his speech on which was one of the "high-spots" of his career. Otherwise he was as little distinguished as it is possible for a Lord Chancellor to be. But he had a sterling character which was worth more than all the accessories which often lead to success in public life. Readers of Sir Charles' book will understand the immense respect in which Lord Cave was held at the Bar and in Surrey where he lived.
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