New-York tribune., 1907-04-24
LONDON NOTES.
Il Silent and Simple Statesman
Sargent Water CoI0rS.
London. April 13.


Khedive's administration, he watched waited
and worked. but seldom wanted to talk about
what he was doing Perhaps he formed the
habit OF reticence when his steps were dogged
by French and Turkish spies; but it became so
characteristic trait that irresponsible rumor
mongers ceased TO quote him on any subject, for
they could not make anybody believe that he
was anything but patient, tolerant listener
In English country houses he has had an artful
way Of inducing other people to talk by asking
short. incsive questions and finding out what
interested them. Veteran Journalists describe
this as MI Delane's special talent when he was
the controlling genius of The Times" and GER
tainly it Is Lord Northcffes practical method
or pinprickng those he meets and drawing
blood out of them I'm the form of information.
Lord Cromer. while not a taker likes to busy
himself with other mems affairs and to hear
them describe their own perplexities and am
billions He has not magnfed his own diff
culties in reforming Egyptian administration
when neither the Khedive nor the ruling class
wanted to have anything done. and when he had
no authority from the European powers to act
as their agent and their representatives in Cairo
were jealous of his supremacy. He has worked
silently and recorded the results in official re-
ports which are marves of constructive states
manship. Yet little has he had TO say about
it in ordinary conversation that strangers have
found it hard to believe that the evolution of
good government in Egypt was his ruling
passion.
Another quality of greatness Lord Cromer has
shown in the splendid career now drawing to a
close in Cairo. This is simplicity of life. Per
haps it was necessary for him TO be on his
guard against ostentatious display. Destined 10
rescue Egypt from bankruptcy, the fellaheen
! from oppression and the Soudan from fanaticism
and misrule, he had no other title than that of
British agent and no other advantage over for
eign consuls than the presence of few files of
regular troops from England. A dictator who was
to regain an equatorial empire and to begin the
work Of making a nation. he constrained TO
live quietly to dsarm suspicion and jealousy
and to avoid the trappings of authority The
real governor of the Nile countries, he lived
without a sign of Oriental magnifcence or i'm
perial pomp. He drove about Cairo in a plain
carriage; he strolled among the bazaars unat-
tended; ne entertained ministers. officials and
diplomats with quiet dignity. and with the help
Of his devoted wife set example of simple
and unpretentiOus living which may become
noble tradition OF the British civic and dlplo-
matte services. He came from the Barring stock.
which had supplied four titles TO the British
peerage in the course of sixty years-Ashburton,
Northbrook, Revelstoke and Cromer; yet he had
reverted 10 the simple virtues of the founder of
the line-the Bremen pastors who settled
in Devonshire two centuries ago and established
himself as a weaver and a merchant. In
crowned yet masterful. untitled yet puissant as
administrator and reformer, the British agent
and consul general has preferred TO continue his
work at Cairo when he might have been Viceroy
Of India or the head of the Foreign Office: and
now that he is retiring from Egypt. worn out
with continuous service. part!sanshp is hushed
and he is proclaimed a great citizen of the
empire
Partisans are hard pressed when they raise
objections 10 Lord Cromers successor. Sir
EldOn Gorst had a brilliant at Cambridge.
was twenty years in Egypt specially
trained by Lord Cromer as a hnancier and ad-
ministrator connected as British adviser
with the most important departments of the
Khediyes government. assisted in negotiating
the Anglo French agreement and completed his
apprenticeship by three years service in the
Foreign Office Under Secretary. His emil
nent ability, flrmness. experience and popularity
in Egypt are frankly acknowledged but he is
described by censoriOus critics a hnancier OF
the Miner type. who has been brought under
the personal influence OF his father in law Mr.
Rudd. Of Nr Rhodes's working allies in
South Africa. Lord Miner proved himself one
of the most capable and original financlers In
the civil service while he was in Egypt and in
Somerset House, and his administrative work
after the Boer war so brilliant and thor
Ough that the ground was effectively cleared for
the establishment Of the Transvaal government.
If Sir Eldon Gorst, after being trained in the
same school, has genius for finance and admin
istration like Lord Miners. the Khedive and
his subjects to be congratulated. and II is
hardly credible that he has been tncapacitated
for broadminded service In Egypt by marrying
the daughter OF one of Mr. Rhodes's business
associates The black specks begin to dancss
before the eyes Of Boer sympathizers whenever
the names of Miner and Rhodes are mentioned.
Sir Eldon Gorst has every possible qualification
for his new post even TO a thorough knowledge
of Arabic, which he speaks fuently, and he will
not be in hot haste 10 take UP the political de-
velopment Of the country prematurely and 10
carry out nationalist ideals and representative !
institutions before the country is prepared for
them
The Royal Societys exhibition of water colors
in the delightful Pail Mall Gallery is enriched
this year by work from Mr.. Sargent's and Mr. |
Hubert Herkomers studio Each is a mas |
ter of this delicate medium. Mr. Sargent has
produced a wonderful effect of realism by bold |
brushwork in The vagrant" Apparently there |
has been momentary glance at the woebegone
tramp. and with few mastery strokes he is
transferred 20 paper with eyes washed out by |
the rains, with face burned by exposure and |
cracked like leather and with hand like the |
claw of a beast. The sketch seems to have been |
the work of an idle hour. but probably there |
have been half dozen trials before the effect |
OF rapid improvisation has been secured. His |
drawings OF a fountain in Bologna and a Flor |
entine interior bits of impTessionism OF di- |
rect and reflected light, contrasting strongly |
with Mr.. Allans mechanical arrangement of