Ill

To write of Lord Randolph on the personal side, or
to confide one's impressions of his character to the
public is no easy matter. To write quite freely is out
of the question. It is a case of the truth, but not the
whole truth. He would, in my judgment, gain if the
whole truth about him were known ; still, it is im-
possible. How can I tell whether the mere written
narrative of certain facts or traits would impress the
public as he himself impressed those who knew him?
There must be a selection. Everything cannot be
told. It is never easy to give a true summary of a
character. In Lord Randolph's case it is less easy than
in most. He was so many-sided, so complex, often, at



LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL 377

least on the surface, so contradictory or inconsistent,
sometimes so unjust to himself, and during the greater
part of his life so beset by circumstances, that nothing
less than a full biography could be adequate. I hope
a biography will be written. It must be done by some
one who knew him, or it will be of little avail ; must be
sympathetic yet critical, and discreet while it is free.
ISTo easy task. I do not attempt it. As memories
crowd upon me — they commonly do Avith a pen in
hand — one feels the perplexity the more, and it be-
comes simpler to touch on a few points which may
disclose to the reader who cares for him some of the
salient traits of this strenuous nature. The reader who
does not already care may pass by on the other side.
