§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (The Marquess of LANSDOWNE)My Lords, a very short time ago we were referring in this House, in terms of deep regret, to the fact that Lord Morley, owing to the aggravation of his illness, had found it necessary to resign the office of Chairman of Committees, and both from this bench and from the bench opposite testimony was borne to the respect and affection with which we regarded him, and to the gratitude which he had earned by the manner in which, for many years, he had discharged the duties of Chairman of Committees. My Lords, we can add little to what was then said. I may, perhaps, say that I thought it my duty to send Lord Morley a full report of the conversation which then took place, and four days ago I received from him a letter expressing the deep satisfaction it had given him to read the words which had been used by myself, and, he added, especially those which had fallen from the noble Earl opposite, the Leader of the 1276 Opposition. He said that, having nothing but the life of an invalid to look forward to, these marks of the confidence and the goodwill of his friends were one of the few consolations that were left to him. Alas, my Lords, we now know that Lord Morley's illness has terminated more rapidly that anyone could have supposed. It is a melancholy satisfaction to know that his end was peaceful and painless. I am sure that on both sides of the House we shall feel that we have lost one of the most beloved and respected of our Members, and that we shall desire to offer to those who are mourning him the assurance of our deep and heartfelt sympathy.
§ EARL SPENCERMy Lords, I rise to add a few words to those of the noble Marquess the Leader of the House, and to say how entirely I agree with all that he has said in reference to the sad news that we so suddenly and unexpectedly read in the newspapers to-day. We had no idea that Lord Morley's end was so near when we were speaking of him the other day. I can only repeat how deep our grief is at the loss of so able a Member of this House and so true a friend. I, too, received a long letter from Lord Morley, dated the 24th instant, expressing his satisfaction at what was said concerning him, and how grateful he was for the kindness of the references to himself. I am glad that the noble Marquess has expressed, I will not say the feelings of noble Lords on the opposite side, but the feelings of the whole House, in this matter, and I most heartily join with him in all that he has said.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (The Earl of HALSBURY)My Lords, I cannot forbear from associating myself entirely with all that has been said by both the noble Marquess and the noble Earl. I have been associated with Lord Morley officially for many years, and I cannot but bear my testimony to his invariable kindness and courtesy, and I feel that we have lost not only a most admirable and efficient administrator, but also a dear friend.
THE LORD BISHOP OF ROCHESTERMy Lords, I do not know whether the ordinary traditions on such an occasion 1277 allow me to intervene, but I should like to add one or two words to what has fallen from those occupying the leading places in your Lordships' House with regard to Lord Morley. My reason for doing so is this. In the old days at the University Lord Morley and I were side by side, and, carrying back my thoughts to that time, I cannot help remarking how the uprightness, conscientiousness, and dutifulness which marked then the young beginner were fulfilled in his whole career, and in what we saw of him in this House.