Each morning saw Ellis at his Committee Room, and in the afternoon motor drives into the division were taken. One day off was taken for the Whitby poll, "a great defeat," and he gave some assistance to the Liberal cause at Nottingham. On the polling day he found cheering multitudes everywhere he went, and to his great satisfaction he noted "quiet methodical work inside the Committee Rooms ". many tributes paid by him to the admirable work of his election agent, Mr. Oliver Hind. The figures when declared showed the energetic nature of the canvassing on both sides, the total number of votes recorded exceeding by close upon 2,500 the figures of the 1906 election. The actual result was:

-one of

Well might Ellis, in thanking the electors, say :

You have said emphatically that the meddling of the House of Lords with finance and its mischievous destruction and mutilation of legislation must cease.

The House met in February and on the 28th he was re-elected Chairman of the Standing Orders Committee, "possibly for last time." Saw Asquith for some 30 minutes and laid the case for clearness, promptitude and against schemes of reforming the House of Lords before him with as much force as I could. Saw walking across the Park. Balfour, he believed, had been told that they had my seat this time."

Thoughts of resignation were ever present with him now. On March 30 he records, "Wrote a careful

1910]

ANGLO-GERMAN COMMITTEE

memorandum to Enfield as to early retirement from Parliament."

April 8th. To Leicester meeting, Enfield there, and talking over memorandum as to resignation. The fact of the severance taken as settled. A great wrench on both sides, but inevitable. Am sure the right thing. The whole matter secret for the present. Must try and turn mind to other matters in which I can be of service to men.

Other diary notes read:

April 1. To Speaker's Dinner. A pleasant and deep discourse with Chaplain (Wilberforce) after on "the unseen world." He full of conviction as to personal communion with our loved ones behind the Veil-a warning against mediums and all their works.

11th. H. of C. Anglo-German afterwork Committee. A more permanent organisation now to be set on foot. They wanted me to see Archbishop as to Presidency. Though lasting 2-6, one of the best Committees I have attended.

8

12th. A good morning's work and then with Dr. Spiecker to Lambeth to luncheon where gathered Hereford, Worcester, Canon Henson, and others. Archbishop's remarks good. Unexpectedly called upon, but said what I had to say. Archbishop very kindly at once acceded as to Presidency. Dr. Spiecker's remarks very happy. Reached home very tired. Physical vigour much lessened by this cough, cough, cough. These days very full. Life a sort of tesselated pavement.

4

Two days later he introduced a deputation of those interested in the suppression of the opium traffic to the Secretary of State for India. "H. J. Wilson, J. H. Roberts, Sir Mark Stewart, and T. A. Taylor. I opened the matter. Taylor followed-showed the old 1 Mr. E. W. Enfield, President of the Rushcliffe Committee.

2 Dr. Percival.

3 Dr. Gore.

4 President of the German Committee of the Anglo-German friendship movement.

cloven hoof of officialism. Withstood him and J. M. markedly refused approval of his attitude. Finally agreed to submit a question which was as far as one could get at the moment."

On April 27 the Finance Bill was read a third time. amid cheers, and next day it passed the House of Lords after three hours' debate. "So ends," wrote Ellis, "the breach of the constitution and usurpation of the rights of the Commons so far as our House goes." The House adjourned on April 28 and next day the text of the Veto Bill was issued, but all political questions and indeed the whole situation were transformed by the unexpected and fatal illness of King Edward. In respect and devotion to the Throne and all it represented Ellis followed the lead of Mr. Gladstone, and any break in the representative continuity impressed him deeply. His notes at the time are of interest :

May 6. Scalby. On receiving notice of King being ill sent in for "Times." During the day his condition became rapidly worse, until at 11.45 King Edward passed away. So swift and so startling a demise of the Crown has surely scarcely ever occurred. On hearing of the death of the King, M. and I resolved to come up to London. On reaching Princes Gate found Privy Council notice. "Let the messenger acquaint," &c., also telegram from Master of Elibank.

To J. R.

House of Commons.

9 May, 1910.

The dramatic suddenness of it all takes one's breath

away, and silence and reflection seem one's refuge. I have just declared allegiance to King George V. So far as light has yet come to me, the departure of Edward VII. means an entirely changed political sky. May 9th. H. of C. Speaker not back from Constantinople.

to Horse Guards Parade where we had a fine view of the pageant, but inferior in its attributes and mental effect to the great ceremony of yesterday. Back to Princes Gate, then drove to St. Margaret's Church where a solemn service was held.

June 9th. H. of C. a short time. That assembly not on business bent. The death of Edward VII. has shunted the public, not to say political mind, into nonpolitical channels.

21st. To Civil List Committee in P.C. uniform, laying aside my sword according to old rule, 3 others doing the same. Chancellor of Exchequer in Chair and a preliminary talk. Then on to St. James's Palace. Such had been the changes since I had been admitted that there are now 60 P.C. junior to myself. J. E. E. affirmed separately at end, hand shake from King George at the kissing of hands.1

Besides the Civil List many interests were crowding in upon him. The diary is full of notes of Opium meetings, Peace Conferences and the many other activities with which he was identified. In a letter written to his daughters then at Constantinople we get a glimpse of his doings.

On Wednesday I travelled up to London, at the House some two or three hours, and then down to Leicester for the night, breakfast at Scalby, lunch in Huntingdonshire, tea Princes Gate, and supper at Thorncroft. I was rather glad to get to bed at Knighton Hayes, but am thankful to say I am very well. Yesterday I did some clearing up at Nottingham and then came on here. It was so delightful to sit for two or three hours on a garden seat in the full sunshine and hear F.'s account of his Norway trip.

In July he records a visit to his son's temporary home at Dinton and the enjoyment which it afforded 1 The King then for the first time substituted a handshake for the kissing of hands at a Privy Council.