for their literary qualities and brio
are few and far between,
allow me to repeat the following;
Karl Marx on Lord Palmerston (1784-1865)
the multi-titled Prime minister (1855-58 159-65)
so far he is the last Prime Minister to die in office,
a position that I hope will be promptly superseded,
by the present incumbent, to whom I'd apply the following
'What he aims at is is not the substance,
but merely the appearance of success.
If he can do nothing [then] he will devise anything.
Where he dares not interfere he inter-meddles,
not able to vie with a strong enemy
he improvises with a weak.....
In his eyes the movement of history
is nothing more than a pastime
expressly invented for the satisfaction of Lord Palmerston.'
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