If the Government had chosen a Viceroy from the Labour
Party they could not possibly have found anyone so well equipped as Lord Willingdon. His outlook on life and politics has always been essentially liberal—a word which in this context we may spell with a small 1" ,although Lord Willingdon was a Liberal member of the
House of Commons for some years, being attached to the Liberal Imperialist group of Mr. Asquith, Sir Edward Grey and Mr. Haldane. All that, however, was a long time ago. He has not been associated actively with any political party since the days before the War. In both Bombay and Madras he was greatly liked and respected by all Indians. He never disguised his sympathy with their hopes for a democmcyon theWestern model, and his methods of bringing Indians and Europeans together socially had that kind of success which is won by genuine- ness but is'denied when the methods have any air of self- consciodsness, artificiality or ulterior purpose. Lord Willingdon will probably be found young enough for the post ; he was a fine cricketer and games-player, and has always had the physical self-respect of the natural athlete. All the same, he and Lady Willingdon have been exiled from their home for nearly sixteen years, and their ready answer to the latest call of duty deserves particular
gratitude. *
