'T^HE resignation of high office, and the severance of personal and
-•- political ties between the Minister so resigning and his colleagues, is
always a serious step to take. In my case the wrench was all the more
painful, as nearly all my colleagues are personal and valued friends, with
whom I have been able to co-operate harmoniously
To explain for many years past. I had been so long in Parliament,
Resignation, thanks to your kindness, and so long in office, that I was
well aware that, in taking the course I did, in ail
probability I terminated my official career. I am, therefore, glad to
have an opportunity of stating to you fully the reasons which forced
me to separate myself from my colleagues, with whom I was on terms
of more than cordial amity, and to give up the office, which was not
only one of the highest a subject can hold, but which was specially
congenial to my taste and temperament. For thirty-four years of my
life I followed and served under two great men — Lord Beaconsfield
and Lord Salisbury. They were more than official chiefs to me. They
took me into their confidence. I thus obtained a rare training and ex-
perience, from long personal contact with the two statesmen who were the
founders of Imperialism and the reconstructors of the modern Conserva-
tive party. Under their bold and sapient guidance the party grew and
flourished, until it was converted from a hopeless minority into a great
national and Imperial organisation of overwhelming strength. It safe-
guarded the union with Ireland, and thus maintained our national unity
at home ; it extended morally and materially in every continent of the
world the influence and power of the British Empire.
