Page:The life and letters of Sir John Henniker Heaton bt. (IA lifelettersofsi00port).pdf/196

 Dean Lefroy of Norwich—"the best letter writer"—was a friend to whom H. H. was deeply attached.

Just one line not to congratulate you—this I'll not do, but to gratify my insignificant self by addressing you by a higher title. You are the one member of the Party to whom every living citizen in the mother country, and millions of subjects over sea, is not only indebted—but indebted with every sunrise and with every sunset, and the debt is cumulative, permanent, and universal. I know you don't care for such recognition, and J know that you have the regard and affection of innumerable beneficiaries of your Imperial policy, in all zones and in all civilizations.

Among H. H.'s letters, one of the most characteristic is a note from the greatest of all Empire builders, the Right Honourable Cecil Rhodes, written from the Burlington Hotel, W.:

Thanks for welcome and use of Club.

I see you have got your Penny Postage through. I must get my Railway through, and then we must meet and celebrate joint work.

The most regular of h. H.'s oversea correspondents was his great friend Sir Joseph Ward, Prime Minister of New Zealand. The following letter was written on the 7th of May, 1909:

Thank you so much for sending the posters to me regarding our offer of support to the British Navy.

It is very gratifying to find that in the dear old