John Morley: “All this language on the great occasions of human life was not with him the tone of convention.”

No: not at all; because there is so much, I will not say of random variety, but there is so much independent use of mind upon the facts that we have to deal with, that I listen with endless edification and instruction.

All alike concerned themselves with its truth or falsehood, with what they counted to be its abstract fitness or unfitness.

But we have no right to cast on him any responsibility beyond what is strictly military.

I am trying to feel my way through the most difficult problem, the most difficult situation that a responsible Government can have to face.