§ THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (The Marquess of RIPON)My Lords, it is my sad task to inform your Lordships that the Prime Minister has considered it his 884 duty, owing to the prolongation of his grave illness, to resign his office, and that the King, under the circumstances, has been graciously pleased to accept his resignation. I am sure that all your Lordships will share my deep regret that the career of Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman as Prime Minister should be thus suddently brought to a close. This is not the occasion to recount his services to the country or his claim to public gratitude. His short career as head of the Government has been remarkable for the singular influence which he obtained over the House of Commons. Other eminent statesmen have exercised great influence in that Assembly, none more so in recent years than Mr. Gladstone. But Mr. Gladstone's power was based upon his commanding eloquence and his vast experience of public affairs, and was mingled, if I mistake not, with a certain feeling of awe; whereas the influence of Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman was, if I may say so, of a tenderer kind. His perfect temper, his earnest sympathy with the feelings and principles of his Party, his unfailing courtesy to his opponents gave him an unrivalled hold on the most critical Assembly in the world. By these qualities and by their results he will be best remembered by the public. But we who have been his colleagues for two years and a half are bound to him by yet closer ties; for his constant fairness, his untiring patience, and his considerate guidance have won for him the gratitude and affection of all those whom he associated with himself in the immense responsibilities attaching to the Government of this great Empire. I ought to say that, after the Army (Annual) Bill has been read a third time and passed, I propose to move that this House do adjourn until Tuesday, the 14th of this month. It is proposed to meet then in order that the Royal Assent may be given to the Army (Annual) Bill. That, I think, is in accordance with precedent. The Government is no longer constitutionally in existence. The retirement of the Prime Minister puts an end in that sense to the Government of the time; and I do not think that any persons holding their office on so slight a tenure ought to take on themselves the conduct of any important business in Parliament.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEMy Lords, the noble Marquess need not be afraid that any jarring note will be sounded upon this side of the House. We all of us greatly regret that Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, owing to considerations of health, should find it necessary to vacate a position which he has earned by many years of honourable exertion, and without any adventitious aids. He has filled that position, as we know, to the entire satisfaction of his own followers; and he has filled it not only without giving offence to his opponents, but in such a manner as to attract to himself a great deal of sympathy and admiration on account of that invariable good temper and courtesy to which the noble Marquess referred just now, and on account of his sound knowledge of our Parliamentary traditions. We all of us sympathised with Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman when last year his health broke down, partly, no doubt, owing to an overwhelming private sorrow, partly owing to the strain and stress of official life. We all of us rejoiced when for a time he was able to resume the burden of office and of public work; and now we all of us feel for him when the moment has come when he finds it inevitable that he should lay aside that burden. It is, I may say, the universal hope of this House that Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman may be spared to enjoy during the declining years of his life a share of that repose for which we know he has so often yearned, and to which, I am afraid, he has been so complete a stranger.