Under-Secretary  for  Foreign  Affairs  in  the  1892-
95  Administration,  the  young  man  was  described
by  a  cynic  as  the  "  gravest  of  Lord  Rosebery 's
indiscretions."  Grave  he  always  was,  but  if  his
Departmental  chief  was  responsible  for  his  appoint-
ment. Lord  Rosebery  had  reason  to  congratulate
himself  on  the  choice  he  made  for  a  most  difficult
office.  It  was  a  post  which,  in  view  of  the  critical
character  of  our  international  relations  and  Liberal


OTHER  MEN  AND   MEMORIES  215

differences  on  Empire  responsibilities,  tested  the
qualities  of  its  occupant.  He  had  to  make  the
delicate  declaration  that  the  advance  of  a  French
expedition  under  secret  instructions  from  the  other
side  of  Africa  into  the  Nile  Valley  would  be  viewed
by  England  as  an  unfriendly  act.  His  position
was  peculiarly  trying  when  Harcourt  became  leader
of  the  House.  It  was  Grey's  duty  on  more  than
one  occasion  to  express  views,  for  instance  on
Uganda,  which  were  distasteful  to  that  statesman.
He  discharged  his  task  not  only  with  discretion,  but
with  a  courage  rare  in  an  Under-Secretary,  and  with
a  single-mindedness  which  won  general  respect.
