Ffynh 8V

The Archbishop of Canterbury Randall Davidson was born & bred a Presbyterian. He is a mercenary soldier & general of the English Establishment.

Lloyd George trusts him. I have never done so, &I have known him for longer than Lloyd George, whose lack of bitterness & human friendliness in controversy are splendid qualifications but sometimes cause him to be over-generous to opponents. When in full cry his bark is most animating & exciting but I think he never bites. At any rate there is never venom, not even gall, ... The Tory & Society denunciations of his platform style are all based on its utter frankness & simplicity. He is thought rude & vulgar, and held guilty of degrading his great office. No credit is given him for real chivalry and fairness to opponents. Think of Chamberlain or even Disraeli & their rancour and bitterness! There is neither snobbishness nor uncharitableness in Lloyd George. And to me his total want of pose or pretension is a charm of character as well as manner that more than compensates for any occasional over-freedom of expression.

(Lord Rendel to Principal T.F. Roberts, Christmas Day, 1909, University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, archives [Tip: daliwch Ctrl a chliciwch dolen i'w agor mewn tab newydd. (Cuddio tip)] )