Dancing till 4 a.m. took it out of me a bit, but it revivified me and I renewed my strength like the Eagle!... I hope the King talked politics with McKenna, who is very acute and would sacrifice himself for the King. Didn’t you think McKenna excellent, the night he dined with me, as to the course the King should pursue? You see he knows so exactly how the Cabinet will be actuated....
There are great risks. Both political sides unscrupulous....
P.S.—Wasn’t it the Emperor Diocletian who doffed the Imperial Purple to plant cabbages? and d—d fine cabbages, no doubt! So don’t blackguard me for leaving the Admiralty of my own free will, to plant roses!
* * * * *
1910.
Feb. 18th.
... Things look ugly.... However, I’m a pure outsider! There will be desperate efforts to supplant Wilson, so I hear from trustworthy quarters. But McKenna will be the real loss to the Navy. The sacred fire of efficiency burns brightly in him! and he’s a born fighter and a good hater, which I love (as Dr. Johnson did) with all my heart. You really must come here when the weather is nicer—it’s lovely! I’ve never known till now what joy there is in Nature. Even beauteous woman fades in the comparison! I’ve just seen the wild swans flying over the Lake! “The world forgetting—By the world forgot!” is appropriate to me now!... I’ve just thought of a lovely Preamble for my approaching “Midshipman’s Vade-Mecum” ... I rather think it’s Blackie, though perhaps not his words:
“Four Things for a Big Life
I. A great Inspiration
II. A great Cause
III. A great Battle
IV. A great Victory
Having got those 4 things then you can preach the Gospel of Rest and Build an Altar to Repose.”
* * * * *
1910.
March 14th.