Lord Knollys and His Sister.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIX, Issue 21, 23 November 1907, Page 46

Lord Knollys and His Sister.

ONEROUS DUTIES OF THEIR MAJESTIES’ SECRETARIES.

It is sometimes said that the day of the private secretary is over —that rapid communication, typewriters, telephones, and other modern institutions have rendered him generally unnecessary. It is certainly true that the supply of young gentlemen seeking such appointments largely exceeds the demand for them, and that the selected candidate no longer finds his place a sinecure. In former years any person of influence was always able to secure for his son an enviable post which involved littie work and for which moderate intelligence and pleasant manners were the only necessary qualifications. To-day, however, with the exception of the Cabinet Ministers and the Viceroys of India and Ireland, very few men appoint scions of aristocracy as their secretaries, preferring an amanuensis who will not hesitate to act as a handy man with regard to any work which may present itself and khose dignity will not be ruffled if he is not invited to dinner. The office of private secretary to the King is one which, while involving a very large amount of hard work, is fi-aught with continuity and a dignity wholly its own. As regards the present tenant of this uniquely responsible position, it is no flattery to say that no person in Great Britain, however gifted and however well trained, could hope to undertake his task with a tithe of the success which now attaches toit. FEW HOLIDAYS. For nearly-10 years, with rare, 1 rief an t seldom complete holidays. Lord Knollys has discharged the most delicate and difficult functions without once incurring

. of a shadow of reproach for anything he has said or done, or for the way in which he has said or done it. This enviable record is the more remarkable inasmuch as in 1870 the then Mr. Francis Knollys was selected for his post less from any experience he was able to adduce than because he was the son of Sir William Knollys, a highly distinguished general officer, and Comptroller to the Prince of Wales. The fact is that Lord Knollys combines in his own personality every attribute which should attach both to an important official and to a culture! English gentleman. It is curious to note how often an Englishman whose character and demeanour are' wholly admirable in private life seems to lack all sympathetic qualities when called upon to exercise public influence and even to assume some of the forbidding characteristics of a socalled “ Jack-in-o'ffice.” On the other hand, there are to be found thoroughly painstaking, loyal and extremely able officials who are never able to bring into play their best qualities when they find themselves at home or within ordinary social circumstances. ALWAYS ACCESSIBLE. Lord Knollys’ accessibility (the sure mark of a high-class official and a highbred gentleman), his geniality, his desire to help wherever help is possible and to make any refusal as easy to be accepted as possible, his quick perception and power of quiet decision, combined -with an almost infinite capacity for work, have rendered him not only an absolutely invaluable servant to his august master, but also a tried official in whom implicit public confidence rests. It is probable tnat during the last forty years no social or political matter of any sort of importance has been outside the knowledge of Lord Knollys, while no day elapses without his advice being sought and his goodwill invoked on every sort of subject. It is no small praise under such conditions to be able to say that on no occasion whatever has Lord Knollys’ discretion been in the slightest measure impugned, or even the soundness of his counsel, at all called in question: He '“'never for one moment conveys'to’anyone the idea that locked in his mind are secrets the slightest inkling of which might wreak incalculable mischief. On the contrary, his frankness, sympathy, and winning -manner would lead? the casual observer to suppose that '■the topic of conversation or friendly discussion on hand was the sole object of interest for him. The biography of a man who for three-quarters of three score years and ten has been in close touch with every movement in Europe, and has personally Known almost every distinguished man in England, who has always enjoyed first-hand knowledge of every matter of first-rate importance, will some day prove a most fascinating story, and will exhibit its subject as one of the wisest as well as the kindliest celebrities of his day. Co-existent with Lord Knollys’ services towards the King has been the work of his sister, the Hon. Charlotte Knollys as Woman of the Bed-chamber and confidential secretary to Queen Alexandra. ARDUOUS AND CONTINUOUS. Although Miss Knollys’ work has not been complicated by the political questions with which her brother has had to familiarise himself, it has been no whit less arduous, and, if possible, even more continuous. With the exception of a fortnight's compulsory rest, taken at the Princess Royal’s house at Brighton, it is true that Miss Knollys for some years has been in daily waiting from 9 a.m. until midnight. So determined is she, in spite of advancing years, to maintain her services at their supreme level that days often pass without her emerging from the palace, that her amusements and visits to personal friends are stlictlv curtailed, and that, in a word, her entiro life is—and for thirty-five years has been—consecrated to the service of her august mistress. It is needless to say that this strenuous life has won the intense gratitude and complete confidence of the Queen, who, however, frequently but vainly urges the devoted lady to spare herself in some degree. Miss Knollys is, equally with her brother, endowed with the supremely necessary gift of perfect tact and with the kindliness which affords her infinite pleasure to use her influence on behalf of the many suitors for some mark of her royal mistress' favour, although there

are occasions when she feels herself bound to suggest some check to that boundless generosity which the Queea would always like to exercise. The records of the English Court will some day show in a very clear light not only the faithful services which Lord Knollys and Miss Knollys have rendered to King Edward and Queen Alexandra, but also the debt of gratitude which the Britisn public owes them for a vast amount of work gladly and judiciously performed for the public good.—“ London Express.” ,