The Life of Henry Hartley Fowler: First Viscount Wolverhampton, G. C. S. I (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

Excerpt from The Life of Henry Hartley Fowler: First Viscount Wolverhampton, G. C. S. I

Before leaving my book in the hands of the public, there are one or two points which I should like to make clear.

First, - I have tried in this biography to let my father's voice be heard again; to let him tell, as far as possible, the story of his. Own life, and to keep my part Of the work subservient to the living power Of his words. For there are many, I feel sure, who will like to hear and to keep the expression of his judgments, his counsels and his aims.

Secondly,-i have not attempted here to write a political history. That has been done already, and will again be done by the historian's pen. I have only touched on events which were a background to my father's personality, and, therefore, the sense Of proportion is sacrificed to that of perspective.

And thirdly, - NO one of all my critics is so sensible of the many faults and failings of this book as is its author. No one knows better than I do how differently the artist would have painted Henry Fowler's portrait in literary colours that could not fade, or the sculptor hewn out a statue Of his statesmanship which would have stood throughout history. But all I have to give the public is a collection Of amateur snapshots, which, though Of no value in themselves, yet show the man as he was at home, and in all the simple, natural attitudes of mind which the historian could not see, and, even if he did, would never deign to portray. Because I was my father's daughter I can beckon my readers into a real intimacy with him, and I do so, asking them to forgive, for the sake Of the worthiness of the subject of this book, the unworthiness of its writer.

I should like to take this opportunity of thanking all those who have so kindly helped me by their contributions and the loan of letters; and to express my special thanks to my husband, who, by reading through and sorting out the immense masses of material, has relieved me Of the heaviest half of the work.

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