UNITED STATES AND CANADA 7 



much like to go to America with Mr. Chamberlain. 

 Will you support my candidature ? " " With all 

 the pleasure in life, my dear Maycock," was his 

 generous reply. " I'm going down to the House 

 now, and shall see Mr. Chamberlain, and will suggest 

 his taking you." I thanked him warmly. He came 

 back and told me he had seen Mr. Chamberlain. 

 There were, however, needless to say, many other 

 formidable candidates in the field, notably George 

 Murray, then a clerk in the Treasury and a man of 

 exceptional ability. Murray had been in the Foreign 

 Office from 1873 to 1880, when he was transferred 

 to the Treasury, of which important department he 

 subsequently became the head, till his retirement, 

 and a more capable official never served the Crown. 

 When I heard he wanted the job my spirits sank to 

 zero. It was at this juncture that dear Bergne's 

 loyalty came to my aid and stood me in such good 

 stead. He had been to see Mr. Chamberlain, who 

 told him that of the many applicants the claims of 

 Murray and Maycock seemed to be the strongest, 

 and he left the choice to Bergne. Bergne, ever 

 loyal to his promises, expressed a preference for 

 me, and that is how, to my intense joy, I came 

 to be appointed Assistant Secretary to the special 

 Mission. 



