New-York tribune., 1906-08-01
THE KINGS MAN.
7or6 Esher's Important Role and
His CIeUer 4nglo-American Wife.

,rnoueh Lord Esher's name is rarely seen in
- ans, so far the public Is concerned, he re-
lrs,-s IA the background. yet he has Justly been
..I.-sbed as one of the potent influences OF the
ssent day in England. IL Is doubtful II there is
- one whose name carries a greater amount os
.,vbt with the King, who consults him upon every
,cel,abe question. whether it be matters of state
= ~ finance, of the domestic economy Of the roxyaI
..,sehold or problems pertaining TO his maiestyss
.snlnistration IS supreme arbiter OF English soci
-Se only Office which he now holds is that 10
,,sutenant Governor and Deputy Constable of
-Vnssor Castle. and Il is secret TO those behind
.he scenes that. besides declining the permanent
.,Daer seeretaryships OF state OF two OF the most
srportant government departments. he likewise
-.fused the post of Minister OF War when IL was
.trongly pressed upon him by the King. He. how
--or. allowed himself 10 be induced by the King
"a consent TO become chairman OF the ROYAL COM
--,rsion for the reform OF the War Denarsn,en,
end il IS him that the Eaglish people are in
ssbted for the abolition OF many OF the most CRYING
sbuses Of those Augean stables OF the government
ADMINISTRATION. Fer time Lord Esher was secre-
ssry Of the government Board OF Works and st was
.his that first brought him into such close contact
-s,b the King But he has long since severed his
connection with that branch Of the service and Is
fsaeTsIly understood 20 have become one OF the
raTtneTs q Sir Ernest Cassel the Angio-German
t,rker who financed the Nile dam IN Eqynt. This
A.
s'p For Lord Esher keeps his own counsel and he
:, not fhe sort Of man 10 whom people are ant 20
address questions that are indscreet
Lord EsheF first entered public life at the are n.
szenty-siE as private secretary 20 the Duke Of
Dtvonshire. then the Marquis OF Harrington, and
Coz nearly decade Reggie Brett, as he was known
those DAYS 10 his friends. not only enjoyed the
confidence Of his chief but likewise dd much Of his
ministerial work the duke being the most indolent
q men. As the duke at the head Of the War
Department during the Egyptian campaign and
shs soudan expedition Lord Esher had plenty Of
opportunity OF becoming acquainted with all the ins
and outs Of the War Department. which, according
20 many. he virtually ran in those days, the
duks leaving almost everything TO him.
But Il certainly not his fault II the army sent
OUT from England TO relieve and rescue General
Gordon in 1854 did not reach Rhartoun in time
Every conceivable obstacle was placed IN the way
Of rs dispatch by Mr. Gladstone who was reluctant,
90 the very last 10 waste any English lives or
treasure upon Egypt. and there is no doubt that
Lord Eshers withdrawal OF his political allegiance
from the Grand Old Man was largely attributable
70 bis attitude in this particular respect For Lord
Esher was one of the closest ana most intimate
friends Of Chinese Gordon who had nursed the
Fscouats brother on llis 6eathbed and among the
most valued OF all Lord Esher's possessions in his
charming home in the Windsor Forest are num-
Der Of keepsakes presented TO him by the hero Of
EhaFtoun.