DLA099-0068  Partial transcription

‘Diary of the Week’, British Weekly, 28 February 1929

[...]

Friday, February 22

I have read with much interest in the last two days every review I could find of Lord Haldane’s “Autobiography.” There were two passages that stood out for me among all the rest. In the Times Literary Supplement the reviewer points out that Haldane could have put himself right with the public in 1914 if he had only been willing to stand frankly for a moment in a white sheet. By a single speech in August or September, 1914, he would have won full forgiveness from his generous fellow countrymen.

I liked, also, the closing passage in Mr. Ramsay MacDonald’s review in the Daily Herald. Describing the sketch of Haldane by Laszlo, Mr. MacDonald says: “He looks with peaceful benignity at and beyond us, and awaits the merging into the eternal mind. ‘Life will close before long,’ he seems to say, as he has written in his book. And, leaning on his staff, he appears to be listening for the closing call.” That fixed, far-away glance, the firm grip of the long, sensitive hands round the knob of the stick, remind me of the ancient words: “He worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.”

MD

02/08/2009