A. J. Mundella,
journeying over from Nottingham, paid him at Newark. The encounter
supplied a good story, and its manner was Sir George Grey in a
characteristic mood. This was how he gravely met Mr. Mundella's gentle
overture, 'Now, won't you withdraw from the contest?'
'Yes, I quite see the difficulty. You want somebody to assist Cardwell.
However well your suggestion might obviate the difficulty, I have an
alternative which I think would equally suit. I had a military training,
I did very creditably as a student at Sandhurst, I served with the
colours, and I attained the rank of captain. I shall be glad to show you
my papers, proving my knowledge of military affairs; and altogether, if
your War Minister requires somebody to prompt him, I don't see why I
should not fill the place as satisfactory as another. 'Oh,' exclaimed Mr.
Mundella, 'there's no use in coming to you with anything, for you always
make a joke of it.' So they parted, and laughing, over the years, at the
incident, Sir George said: 'You know Mundella was a capital fellow, of
sterling ability and many qualities, but I'm afraid he was never a
humorist.'
Sir George was not to be member for Newark, since, in the long run, to
save the loss of a Liberal seat, he retired. His committee put it to him
that this was the rule of the road, and he felt it no sacrifice to quit
the field.
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