1 January

Adopted with much enthusiasm by the Liberal ‘300’ at Droitwich. In the evening to a packed and rollicking meeting at Kidderminster. Sir Edward Fraser,Footnote ¹ Liberal candidate for the Borough and Mr. Brooks,Footnote ² our working-man humourist and orator of Stourbridge, also addressed meeting.

2 January

Stourbridge. Talbot Hotel.

Delightfully quiet morning reading Shakespeare's Henry IV. In the afternoon walk with E. Turner to Clent and tea with Mr. Higgs. Meeting of the A.S.R.S.Footnote ³ men at the Chequers Inn at night. Plenty of heckling from Socialist members but all in good temper.

3 January

Webheath.

Excellent meeting at the Rose & Crown. Mr. Baylis of Birchfield Road in the Chair, Afterwards in to Mr. Baylis's for supper.

4 January

Clent.

Admirable meeting in the new Parish Hall with Mr. Grosvenor LeeFootnote ⁴ in the Chair.

6 January

Stourbridge.

E.A.H. arrives in the Constituency. Magnificent meeting of 1200 people in the Town Hall. Great enthusiasm, Mr. Frank Taylor in the Chair and among the speakers Mr. Coysh the candidate for KingswinfordFootnote ⁵ and Mr. Henry Whitehead, an old age pensioner aged 88. Mr. Whitehead was the success of the meeting and it was delightful to hear him referring easily to Cobden, Palmerston and Lord J. Russell. He said that he had often bought 4 lb. loaves for his mother at 1/1 apiece.

7 January

Wychbold and Stoke Heath.

Some mistake about the meeting at Wychbold which was in consequence the only poorly-attended one of the series. Leaving Mr. G.W. Hobson to continue the meeting and to bring back E.A.H. I went on to the ‘Ewe & Lamb’ Stoke Heath. Admirable gathering.

8 January

Droitwich.

Off day. E.A.H. and I show ourselves in the High Street and after lunch I go with Cyril Hobson to a local foot-ball match.

. . .

I discover to my dismay today that I did not vote on the 3rd Reading of the Old Age Pensions Bill on July 9th 1908. EarleFootnote ⁶ and I examine anxiously the official Division List and sure enough my name is not there. What can be the reason that I, who was never absent from a vital Division during my 4 years of Parliamentary life, should have been absent on this most important occasion? It is truly an awkward circumstance. But there must have been a good reason.

We send up to Montagu Square for Hansards and old diaries of 1908.

There is another Old Age Pension complication. Under the Bill of 1908 it was found impossible to include otherwise eligible persons who had received indoor or outdoor Relief. The reasons were (1) lack of adequate funds and (2) the fact that to do so would have disorganised the whole Poor Law system. It was agreed, however, that these persons should come on the list on Jan. 1st 1911. The artful Tories, however, moved an amendment to bring in these people at once. The Government was of course, obliged to defeat this amendment – and I voted with the Government. We shall hear more of this.

10 January

Chaddesley Corbett and Belbroughton.

Crowded meetings in the Schools in both villages. We return in the evening to the Raven Hotel, Droitwich. Another day of purgatory passed! It is the hideous unending length of a county contest that takes the starch out of a man. The two or three meetings a night are fatiguing enough and there is the gradual creeping up over the whole countryside of the miasma of suspicion and falsification. We hear today that a prominent Droitwich Primrose League dame in addressing a Mothers’ Meeting (!) assured the poor women that before the Election of 1906 I promised to establish a paper factory in Droitwich and that having deceived Droitwich once I was not to be trusted again! These fantastic lies are amusing enough in retrospect but they gall and irritate at the time. This Primrose Dame must be twin sister to that other Sapphira who in 1906 went about Droitwich saying that we employed Germans in our London printing works.

Joy! Diaries etc. arrive from Montagu Square. On July 9th 1908 I attended the Annual Meeting of the Worcestershire Liberal Association at Caesar's Camp, Malvern. Well do I recall that dreary, damp occasion. J.W. Wilson (M.P. N. Worcs.)Footnote ⁷ was there, too. We were doing our duty by the W.L.A. – very reluctantly – but we were doing it and now our virtuous conduct is likely to cause us some embarrassment. Still, who could foresee that the Tories would be so mad as to divide against Old Age Pensions?

11 January

Bradley Green (Red Lion) and Himbleton.

A rather heavy snow-storm this evening. Poor little meeting at Bradley Green. Good meeting at the Recreation Room, Himbleton. With me Mr. G.W. Hobson and Mr. Thomas both of Droitwich, the Rev. Mr. Brockbank (Droitwich),Footnote ⁸ and the Rev. D.R. Fotheringham,Footnote ⁹ London.

Latest rumours. Tory canvassers in Droitwich saying that in 2 months’ time the salt works in Droitwich will be closed.

12 January

Fairfield and Upper Hagley.

Splendid meeting in old Mr. Griffin's malt-house at Fairfield. Two rumours at Fairfield (1) that in order to prevent our meeting in the school-house this evening the Tory and Church-party had hastily improvised a Bible class in the school and (2) that Mr. Lyttelton'sFootnote ¹⁰ meeting here yesterday having been broken up by our too zealous small-holders we were to look for like treatment. Nothing sensational happens however and all goes merry as a marriage bell. It is otherwise at the Prince of Wales Upper Hagley. On arriving I find the meeting in some disorder. A group of Tory youths flushed with strong drink and liberally decorated with red favours make things lively but give me a fairish hearing on the whole.

Telegram from Lloyd-George. ‘Remind me at Criccieth next Wednesday when I shall do best to arrange day in following week if physically capable. Lloyd-George.’ This is right good of the little Chancellor. I had written to him not daring to ask for a meeting and suggesting that he should send me a nice letter.

13 January

Wribbenhall & Stourport.

Finest meeting I have ever seen at Wribbenhall. Mr. E. Smith in the Chair. At Stourport a packed and glorious meeting in the Town Hall, with as many people in the street outside. Mr. Wm. Adam of Kidderminster in the Chair.Footnote ¹¹ Speakers Sir E. Fraser, Mr. Maximilian Hope of the Midland Liberal FederationFootnote ¹² and young Mr. Beakbane of Stourport.Footnote ¹³

14 January

Wollescote and Wollaston.

Suffocating meeting in the Schools, Wollescote. Wonderful enthusiasm. Also packed and cheerful meeting in Edkin's repository at Wollaston.

Mild open weather since the snow went.

15 January

I attend meeting National Schools Amblecote for Mr. Coysh, Liberal candidate for Kingswinford. Fine gathering. [. . .]

First results – Birmingham, Manchester Salford, some London seats and a good many little Boroughs. Loud cheering of Tory youths outside the Raven. Gloomy report that Dudley has fallen.

16 January

Raven Hotel, Droitwich.

Peaceful day. Over to Stourbridge in the evening to meet the Locomotive Railway men at the Woolpack Inn. Back to Droitwich – walking as usual part of the way home.

17 January

Cutnall Green & Droitwich.

Canvassing the tradesmen in the morning with Mrs. Hobson. Meetings – Cutnall Green and Droitwich. Great meeting in the Salter's Hall – Mr. Hobson, Mr. Brooks (our working-man orator of Stourbridge) and myself as speakers.

18 January

Lower Hagley and Oldswinford

Round the Oldswinford tradesmen with Mr. Frank Evers who is 83. Excellent meeting Free Church Hall Lower Hagley and a ‘rouser’ at the ‘Bird in Hand’ Oldswinford.

19 January

Finstall & Stoke Works.

Visiting the Stourbridge tradesmen with Mrs. Waugh. In the evening to Finstall (Mr. Brooks in the Chair) and afterwards to Stoke Works. Our old Stoke friends in fine fettle. Choir of little boys (all with blue rosettes) to sing the Land song.

Delightful walk back to Droitwich in the moonlight with A. Earle.

20 January

Droitwich.

Nomination Day. I attend at the Town Hall with Ernest Turner and hand the nomination papers (21) and £350 in notes to the Sheriff.

Meetings at Wolverley and Bewdley (with Mr. Brooks candidate for the West Division).

21 January

Stourbridge.

Round the High Street, Stourbridge, with Mr. Waugh.

Meetings:

Hoobrook

Foley Park and

Blakedown.

Blakedown is supposed to be the hottest little Tory corner of all and rumours had gone about as to a warm reception that was to be prepared for us. I am supposed to have alleged during the last Election that the young men of B. had ‘more hair than brains’. I don't remember saying it. Anyhow we were to look out for squalls. The plot – if plot there was – completely failed. A posse of iron-workers from Belbroughton and a second force from faithful Wollescote came to Blakedown to safeguard us. They positively swamped the Blakedowners who melted away into the public-houses and masked their confusion behind pint-pots.

22 January

Wollescote.

Great open-air meeting at Wollescote at 3 in the afternoon, Afterwards in triumphal procession to Lye Cross to attend a similar meeting of J.W. Wilson's. Evening meetings:

Wychbold and Stoke Prior.

24 January

Droitwich.

Round the High Street Stourport with Mr. Griffin. Meetings in the evening: Hanbury and Droitwich.

Lloyd-George meeting in the Skating Rink with an overflow in the Town Hall.

In the afternoon the Chief Constable and Mr. Willis BundFootnote ¹⁴ Chairman of the C.C. and of Quarter Sessions, discovered in earnest colloquy in the Coffee Room at the Talbot. Would it be safe for Ll.-G. to journey from the Skating Rink to the Town Hall? Dreadful rumours as to special train-loads of roughs from Birmingham and contingents from Dudley. 150 police in Stourbridge. Decided that should the crowd in the streets in the evening seem to be of a dangerous character Ll.-G. to be whisked off to Droitwich directly after making his speech at the Skating Rink – A wonderful demonstration – between 4 & 5 thousand men. I take the Chair. Lloyd-G. in one of his more urbane moods. Message is brought to me in the middle of his Speech that he is not to go to the Town Hall. He leaves the rink with E.A.H. and Kathleen Carr-Gomm for Droitwich. After a brief speech I repair by back ways to the Town Hall. Another splendid meeting. Intense disappointment when I tell them Ll.-G. cannot come. General opinion that the police have been fussy and officious.

I stay the night at the Talbot, Stourbridge, and am serenaded by vast crowds of people, and afterwards outside the door of my sitting room by a number of the young Tory bloods of the Talbot bar.

26 January

C.B.H. and A. Earle over to Droitwich in the morning. Find Ll.-G. enjoying a very hearty breakfast and full of go. Quite a little ovation at the Station when he leaves for London.

Meetings: Belbroughton, Chaddesley and Aston Fields.

[Later: I well remember how angry Ll.-G. was at the interference of the authorities with his movements in Stourbridge. Their apprehensions he regarded as all silly nonsense. C.H. 13.9.33]

27 January

Wribbenhall & Stourport.

Fine meetings at Wribbenhall and at the Bark Shed at the Tannery, Stourport. Said to be the biggest meeting ever held at Stourport.

28 January

The Polling day.

E. and I set forth in Harold's covered car about 11 o'clock and visit every Polling Station. Lunch at the Talbot, Stourbridge, and tea provided by the Wribbenhall ladies in the Schoolroom.

29 January

The Count.

Poor E. so confident of our success that she comes into the counting-room – for the first time and the last.

Result:

Our people at Droitwich utterly cast down. Rumours of rioting to take place in the evening.

E. and I and the Babes go over to Stourbridge and Wollescote and have tremendous ovations in both places. Our friends’ disappointment is intense and numbers of them cry when I address them out of an upper window at the Committee Room. Torchlight procession at Wollescote improvised apparently at a moment's notice.

E., I and the Babes afterwards to the Foley Arms Hotel, Malvern.

30 January

Malvern. Foley Arms Hotel.

Dreary, dreary day.

31 January

Em and I to Droitwich. Mr. and Mrs. Hobson and Cyril H. to lunch at the Raven, E. and I run out to see our friends at Stoke Works. Men and women crying like babies.

We leave for town by the 2 something train. Affecting scene at the Station. Bouquets for E. and Daff. Everybody crying.

1 February

28 Montagu Square.

To Peter Pan with Daff, Bud and Gol.

2 February

Dinner with the Carr-Gomms and afterwards to theatre.

Harmsworth spent the period from 5 to 25 February on a winter sports holiday in St Moritz, after a brief stop-over in Paris. In Paris on 6 February he dined with ‘Mr Lane (“Norman Angell”, editor Paris Daily Mail’).Footnote ¹⁵

25 February

Arrive home from St. Moritz.

27 February

First symptom of influenza.

[. . .]

[This was the first day of my mysterious illness that lasted, with deceptive intervals, right into the Autumn. I don't think that the doctors, not even Dr. DawsonFootnote ¹⁶ [Afterwards, Lord Dawson of Penn], ever knew exactly what it was. A specially complicated kind of influenza, perhaps, is the likeliest explanation.

C.H. 28 X 1924]

Harmsworth was ill with ‘influenza’ for some considerable time, and most of the entries for the period to mid May 1910 are short ones relating to his continuing illness.

16 May

Influenza. My first real outing. Drive with E. and Bud to Hampstead to sit for half an hour or so in Hildebrand's lovely garden.Footnote ¹⁷ Heath swarming with Bank Holiday people. Perfect summer day.

20 May

Funeral of King Edward.Footnote ¹⁸ Perfectly lovely day. We had a splendid view of the Procession from a window (taken by Harold) opposite Brooks's Club. Daff and Bud with us. I suppose that no greater spectacle has ever before been seen in London or ever will be seen again.

26 May

Boulogne. Hotel Christol & Bristol.

St. J. and I leave Charing Cross for Boulogne. Meet MotherFootnote ¹⁹ and Alfred [Northcliffe] at the oddly-named Hotel at Boulogne. Alfred apparently a good deal better after his long rest at St. Raphael. With him Dr. PriceFootnote ²⁰ and PyneFootnote ²¹ with the 115 H.P. Mercedes car.

It was at this Hotel that Alfred concluded negotiations for the purchase of The Times.Footnote ²²

Harmsworth spent the next three and a half weeks in and around Paris, returning to London on 21 June. On 18 June he dined again with Lane/Angell.

23 June

28 Montagu Square

In the morning to the Treasury, 12 Downing Street, to see the Master of Elibank,Footnote ²³ Chief Liberal Whip, about a seat. He and I walk through St. James's Park, the Green Park and Hyde Park discussing the matter. He practically offers me Dumbartonshire from which Dundas White is retiring.Footnote ²⁴ He tells me that Harold [Rothermere] is down in tomorrow's Honours List for a baronetcy.

(In the afternoon I go out to PoyntersFootnote ²⁵ to see Mother.)

Dinner with Cecil Beck at the Reform. Also present:

Sir West Ridgeway,Footnote ²⁶ Sir E. Tennant,Footnote ²⁷ Hon. E.S. Montagu, MP, C.P. Trevelyan, MP,Footnote ²⁸ Col. Seely, MP,Footnote ²⁹ H.H. Raphael, MP,Footnote ³⁰ etc., etc.

28 June

Montagu Square

I see Dr. MayFootnote ³¹ and Dr. Bertrand Dawson in the morning. Both a little surprised that I should still have symptoms of rheumatic stiffness, etc. They say it will be long before I am fully restored.

I write to Elibank definitely declining Dumbartonshire.

A dull sad day with rain.

29 June

28 Montagu Square.

With us to dine this evening J.H. Bernard, Dean of St. Patrick's.Footnote ³² He was my Tutor at Trinity College, Dublin, until he became Archbishop's King's Lecturer in Divinity. Afterwards Dean of St. Patrick's. Would be Archbishop of Armagh or Dublin at the next vacancy if he were a Low Churchman. One of the very best. We discussed the representation of T.C.D. in Parliament – sagely agreeing that, as an obdurate Liberal, I should have no chance of election if I presented myself.

9 June

Henley.

I go up to town to take the Chair at the 16th Annual Dinner of the Amalgamated Press, Holborn Restaurant. Most enthusiastic gathering. I return by the 12.15 A.M. train to Henley.

13 July

Highcliffe Castle

I leave for Highcliffe in the morning. Lovely day. House-party including Sir Walter Lawrence,Footnote ³³ Sir Francis Trippel,Footnote ³⁴ Mr. Arnold White,Footnote ³⁵ the eminent authority on naval and Imperial affairs, Mr. Grahame-White,Footnote ³⁶ the aeroplanist, Mr. Dudgeon,Footnote ³⁷ Capt. Cole,Footnote ³⁸ Mr. and Mrs. BartholomewFootnote ³⁹ and Hugh Spottiswoode.Footnote ⁴⁰

Bournemouth is holding high revel with its centenary fetes the leading feature of which is the aeroplane meeting. Bunting everywhere, great crowds in the streets and on the sands and Sir Thomas Lipton'sFootnote ⁴¹ steam yacht ‘Erin’ anchored off the pier. We visit Sir T.L. on board after lunch. He shows us all his splendid racing trophies and souvenirs from crowned heads, and expatiates in his usual genial way on the illustrious visitors he has entertained from time to time on the ‘Erin’. A most luxurious yacht with bedrooms, boudoirs and saloons of the greatest comfort.

We arrive at the aerodrome in time to see Morane on his Bleriot monoplane soaring upwards in competition for the ‘greatest altitude’ prize. A superb flight. Grahame-White comes out in the evening in his biplane and takes single passengers. He had taken Mr. Arnold White in the morning and Capt. Cole flies two laps with him in the evening. At one time three flying-machines are in the air together. – All the aviators, I think, a little oppressed by the death of the Hon. C.S. RollsFootnote ⁴² on the same ground the previous day. I had met him once or twice – a fine, eager, bright young fellow.

14 July

A lovely warm morning followed in the afternoon by a creeping sea-mist. After lunch we go to the Aerodrome at Bournemouth. Some splendid flights. The day closes gloomily with a bad accident to RawlinsonFootnote ⁴³ at the far end of the ground. Suddenly there is a great cloud of dust and many mounted policemen hurrying in that direction. Rawlinson reported diversely to be slightly and very seriously hurt. We saw nothing of the accident but the dust.

15 July

Splendid flight of MoraneFootnote ⁴⁴ and DrexelFootnote ⁴⁵ from the Aerodrome at Boscombe round the Needles and back. We witnessed it – or as much of it as the sea-mist will permit – from the cliff at Highcliffe. Sir T. Lipton's ‘Erin’ and other boats patrolling the line of flight across the sea.

Grahame-White tells us that he has received two communications from clairvoyants urging him to fly no more this week. Young Alan Boyle,Footnote ⁴⁶ son of Lord Glasgow, and one of the aviators, lunches at Highcliffe today. He seems a little oppressed by the accidents to Rolls and Rawlinson and says that if he had witnessed the latter catastrophe he would give up aviation at once. By the way, Rawlinson reported today to be not very seriously injured.

4 August

Montagu Square

Swedish massage at 10 o'clock as usual. At 11.30 with Dr Gould May to see Dr. Bertrand Dawson in Wimpole Street to get what will prove, I hope, to be his final opinion on my case. He thinks me much better and prescribes very tolerable course for me – 3 weeks at Cromer, 3 weeks at Harrogate, and October fishing in Scotland.

In the afternoon we go with Con BakerFootnote ⁴⁷ to Mr. Kinderman's old curiosity shop at 26 Golden Square. A most interesting Collection and we buy a few small things.

27 August

Droitwich.

Our last public appearance in Mid-Worcestershire, – a day long anticipated with anxiety and genuine regret. E. and I, Daff, Bud and Gol and Mrs. Parkes (nurse)Footnote ⁴⁸ by the midday train to Droitwich. After lunch to Westwood House (lent by Mr. Partington)Footnote ⁴⁹ to await the arrival of Lord and Lady Beauchamp. Streams of our good political friends and waggonettes full of them making for Westwood Park. Mr. Ward, Mr. Partington's son-in-law,Footnote ⁵⁰ receives us in the beautiful Jacobean drawing-room which with its finely carved panelling and ceiling with stuccoed fruit and flowers is the most perfect apartment, I think, I know of. Mr. Ward though a strong Tory is always very friendly. Lord and Lady B. arrive in good time – his lordship a few more inches round the waist than when last saw him, Lady B. sweet and gracious as ever. We walk across the park to the place where marquees and a band-stand have been erected. Splendid and touching welcome from our friends. Fifteen hundred only were expected but nearly 3000, it is said, are present. Lord B. makes the presentation to me of the handsome silver tea-tray (with inscription) and tea and coffee service, and Lady B. presents the Worcester china tea and coffee service to E. and the gold watches to Daff, Bud and Gol. There is also a most tasteful illuminated address in book form for me. Speeches by Mr. G.W. Hobson of Droitwich, Lord B., Sir Thomas Barclay (President Midland Liberal Federation),Footnote ⁵¹ John Morgan, E., Daff and, of course, myself. E. almost petrified with emotion and nervousness. Many sympathetic tears from the women.

I find it more difficult to say what I have to say than ever before. These people have always treated us with the greatest generosity. Daff's little speech (prepared for her by me) is a great success.

We return for the night to the Raven Hotel relieved that the painful function is over and very sad at parting with our friends.

On 9 September Harmsworth travelled to the spa town of Harrogate to undertake a course of treatment.

15 September

Harrogate

In the afternoon we all go to York. Lunch and tea at Terry's. The Minster is easily among the three or four finest buildings I have ever seen. I was greatly interested to see so much ancient glass. We also visited the old Merchants’ Hall – a place of historic interest maintained in a depressing state of squalor. With all its picturesqueness and its well-nigh incomparable Minster York is not a cheerful place. I could not help thinking all the time of Seebohm Rowntree'sFootnote ⁵² scientific calculation that one-third of the population live on the ‘hunger line’. There are dismal courts running out of important streets and there is, obviously to the naked eye, a stratum of the population extraordinarily low in civilisation and character.

8 October

Dublin.

Delightful morning in Trinity College. – The Chapel, the Dining Hall, the Kitchen and the Library. Such old memories revived! It is a noble place, if the atmosphere is a little cold.

After lunch to call on the Swift MacNeill'sFootnote ⁵³ at 17 Pembroke Road. S. MacN. is Nationalist Member for Donegal and as good-hearted, hot-tempered a Celt as ever lived. He is a cousin of E.’s and they are in the same relation to Dean Swift'sFootnote ⁵⁴ family. He has many fine relics of Swift – a replica of the Bindon portrait [now in my possession. C.H. 20 VII 1927] of which examples are in the Deanery of St. Patrick's and at Howth Castle. He has also a fine miniature of Swift – the one, he says, that StellaFootnote ⁵⁵ used to wear. Also a silver snuff-box of Swift's in the shape of a three-cornered hat. There is a further-portrait of Swift in his old age – a copy by Pratt Swift of his original which is at Swift's Heath. A less desirable curiosity of Swift MacN.’s is a round early-Victorian settee in red plush that was made by John Walsh,Footnote ⁵⁶ Master of the Rolls, (his and E.’s cousin) when a briefless barrister.

1 November

[London]

To see R.C. Hawkin,Footnote ⁵⁷ Secretary of the 80 Club, and to discuss the political situation with him.

8 November

Eighty ClubFootnote ⁵⁸ Smoking At Home at the Criterion Restaurant, and discussion on ‘Federal Home Rule’.

On 10 November The Times reported that Harmsworth had told the executive committee of the Mid-Worcestershire Liberal association that he had ‘definitely given up all intention’ of being their candidate again, adding that Harmsworth's ‘severe illness’ in the spring had left him ‘unable to undertake the fatigue of a contested election in such a scattered constituency’.

11 November

Em and I dine at the Charles Henry'sFootnote ⁵⁹ in Carlton Gardens. Present Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd-George,Footnote ⁶⁰ Mr. S.O. Buckmaster, Sir T. Lipton, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Maclean,Footnote ⁶¹ Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Griffith,Footnote ⁶² Sir J.D. and Lady Rees and others. Lloyd-George announces the break-up this day of the Conference (between 4 Liberal and 4 Conservative leaders) to settle, if possible, the question of the Lords’ Veto. The talk is all of another, early General Election.

Em says that after dinner at the Henry's the ladies, excepting herself, rose to their feet when Lloyd-George engaged them in conversation. I happened not to notice it myself but is this in any case a precedent? I have read somewhere that when DisraeliFootnote ⁶³ was at the zenith of his power and reputation duchesses rose from their chairs when he entered a room! Ll.-G. certainly does not shine brilliantly in private society.

He is insignificant in appearance and undistinguished in conversation. I have never heard him make a remark or use a phrase [in private conversation] worth recording. He has in full measure the vivacity of the Welsh Celt but gives no sign of the qualities that have made him a foremost debater in the H. of C. and a really splendid speaker on the platform.

12 November

H.S.H. [Rothermere] to lunch with us and to discuss the political situation.

16 November

With H.D. HarbenFootnote ⁶⁴ to the Whips’ Office 12 Downing Street. A scene of bustle and excitement with many prospective Liberal Candidates attending on the Junior Lords of the Treasury.

With E. to the marriage of Hamar Greenwood'sFootnote ⁶⁵ sister FlorenceFootnote ⁶⁶ to L.S. Amery,Footnote ⁶⁷ Editor of the Times History of the Boer War. At St. Margaret's, Westminster.

28 November

To town with Em, and in the afternoon to Droitwich to preside at meeting in the Salter's Hall in favour of Dr. Clifford BrookesFootnote ⁶⁸ the new Liberal candidate. Dr. Brookes unfortunately detained in town by the sudden and serious illness of his wife.

3 December

Speech for Mr. SpokesFootnote ⁶⁹ Liberal candidate for W. Marylebone in the Portman Rooms.

Midday to Henley to superintend planting of roses. Everything very dreary.

5 December

In the evening: I take chair for Mr. E.A. Strauss,Footnote ⁷⁰ Liberal candidate for W. Southwark at the Lavington Street Baths. Great and enthusiastic gathering. Speech by Winston Churchill who had a tremendous reception. The boy Statesman not so fine as usual.

6 December

Out to Henley to vote for George Nicholson.Footnote ⁷¹ Find that the Poll is on the 13th! Lunch at the Red Lion. [. . .]

Sunderland goes Liberal and Labour – Hamar Greenwood the Liberal candidate. Sunderland and Stafford were both offered me when I as ill, and have been true to Liberalism.

To Rotherhithe at night to hear the result. Hubert C[arr]-G[omm] returned by an increased majority. Great enthusiasm.

7 December

To Stourbridge by the 4.45 from Paddington to address a meeting in the Town hall for Dr. Brookes. At the Paddington booking office I meet Lord Beauchamp who explains that at the last moment and at the urgent request of the Chief Whip he is going down to Stourbridge on a like errand. He has stipulated that he is to have a special train to Stourbridge and back again at the expense of the Whips’ Office, and he invites me to share it with him. Lord B. as First Commissioner of Works brings with him a beautiful new dispatch box in sealing-wax red. It appears to contain little else than Liberal Publication Dept.’s booklets and other raw material for political orations.

We are splendidly received in the packed Town Hall and I am given a great and most affecting ovation by my old friends. In less than an hour and a half we are out of the town again and journeying Londonwards in our special train. An ample hot dinner put on board for us at Worcester, and so to Paddington without another stop. Home at 12 o'clock. I suppose that few meetings during the Election have cost so much.

9 December

Result in Mid-Worcestershire:-

Hon. J.C. Lyttelton 4880

Dr. Clifford Brookes 4808

72

10 December

Fifty-third Annual Dinner of the Savage ClubFootnote ⁷² at the Hotel Cecil, Sir George Reid,Footnote ⁷³ High Commissioner for Australia, in the Chair. I attend as guest of Mr. E.W. RoperFootnote ⁷⁴ and in obedience to an urgent invitation of the Committee two days ago I propose the toast of the ‘Savage Club coupled with the name of Sir G. Reid’. A brilliant assembly including General FrenchFootnote ⁷⁵ and Field Marshal Lord Grenfell.Footnote ⁷⁶ We adjourn afterwards to the Club house in the Adelphi.

13 December

Again to Henley to vote for young George Nicholson. Depressing array of Tory blue everywhere. [. . .] E.’s birthday. We dine snugly together, using the old china-handled knives and forks, best dessert service and dinner service and the tall wine-glasses. Afterwards, a good evening's work addressing Christmas cards.

15 December

Take chair at meeting of the Amalgamated Press Ltd. Profits for the year £259, 590. 15. ld. Dividend for the year 40%.

Afterwards to Mr Bruce-Joy'sFootnote ⁷⁷ Studio, W. Kensington, to see his huge statue of Lord KelvinFootnote ⁷⁸ for Belfast. I sat next Lord K. at a public dinner for a whole evening once – a sweet-mannered modest old man. Statue very like.