Page:The life and letters of Sir John Henniker Heaton bt. (IA lifelettersofsi00port).pdf/177



"Practical and steadfast in purpose; trusted in all the relations of life, end who by persistent effort has done more than most men for ensuring the unity of the Empire. I am proud to have the privilege of Sir John Henniker Heaton's friendship,"

N looking back on the circle of friends that H. H. gathered around him, it is almost startling to find the number of great Irishmen included in it. Sir Charles Gavan Duffy, Lord Russell of Killowen, Sir John Pope Hennessy, Lord Rosmead, Lord Killanin, John and William Redmond, Robert Martin (Ballyhooley) and T. P. O'Connor, were all among those in whose society and brilliance he delighted.

It is an unfortunate fact for biographers that the greater the friendship, and as a consequence the more frequent the intercourse, the fewer are the letters, other than brief notes exchanged.

Old members of the Carlton may feel that more should have been written of H. H.'s connection with the club, where his chief interests centred and where he was so familiar a figure. He knew the traditions and the history that was made and unmade within its walls, and he was never happy for long away from the Carlton.

The friendship existing between H. H. and Lord Blyth was of that enduring quality made firmer by 137