FIRST AND LAST WORDS
There are various lists of last words, and it has always been the pleasant humour of the cynical to "debunk" the "last words" imputed to William Pitt. Goe.the, and many others, . says the "Manchester Guardian." But what of .first-words? How interesting it would : be 'if'we. could collect, for instance being too. exacting or literal about the term "first"), the early observations of newly-appointed Prime Ministers. In these days, when every public man's life is lived in public, we may be sure that one of our "gossips" will tell' the world what were Mr. Chamberlain's first words on appointment; meanwhile we are entitled, no doubt,, to quote Dizzy's "Yes, I have •glimbed to the top of the greasy pole," though we may find-more.pleasure in remembering that first letter to his ■wife," written without' a trace of flamboyance: "Then the Qusen came into, her closet with a very radiant ,face,v holding out her hand and saying, 'You must kiss hands,' which I did
immediately and very heartily, falling on my knee."- ' '
Disraeli's ardent cOurtiership invites a jump of forty -years, for it is probable that Campbell-Bannerman's "first words" must have been •an apology for not kissing hands. Spender tells us that it was only when "C.8." was leaving the Palace after appointment that someone remembered that he had omitted that "essential "sacramental act." The private secretary hurried back to the presence but. was able to return with the assurance that the thing would be "taken.as done."
!We have Gladstone's first words on being summoned in 1368: "Very significant .. . " and then after a pause, while he continued to wield his axe, "My mission is ' to pacify Ireland." Arthur Balfour was in.no mood to rejoice when his hour came; to him his uncle's retirement "assuredly seemed an end rather than a beginning." From Biarritz in April, 1008, Asquith wired to his wife: "Have just kissed hands; back Friday. Ask Grey to dinner. Bless you..—H."
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19370731.2.194.4
Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 27, 31 July 1937, Page 29
Word Count
324FIRST AND LAST WORDS Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 27, 31 July 1937, Page 29
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