of the knowledge and information of Lord Ripon." ^* And
this was despite Peel's description of him as "a perfect
master" of the subjects of commerce. ^† His speeches were
shallow and diffuse, though occasionally humorous. In the
Cabinet his indeterminate views carried little weight, and
there is no doubt that he was regarded by many as having
changed his colours rather too often. His political
convictions," in the words of Lord Crewe, were limited
to those announced by the diverse governments of which
he was a member." ^‡

A singularly ineffective Prime Minister, Ripon lacked
all the qualities of leadership. Disraeli called him "a
transient and embarrassed phantom." ^§ Amiable and dis-
tracted, he was never strong enough for the places he filled,
and his want of character made his political vagaries seem
those of a trimmer. Yet from a material point of view
he cannot be reckoned unsuccessful. The younger son of
a recently ennobled race, of limited means and intelligence,
less application and no particular policy, he was for thirty
years in office and for twenty a member of the Cabinet.
He achieved an earldom and a Garter, and rose to be Prime
Minister of England. His name has thus the permanent
honour of being included in the roll of those distinguished
statesmen who preceded and followed him. Among other
good fortunes, he has never fallen into the hands of a
biographer.

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