“In the social part of his duties, his capacity extends to, and is felt by all of us, for the influence of the Chief of the Staff is visible in every detail of the social functions and hospitality of Government House. I can assure him we not only know it, but appreciate very warmly the advantages we have derived from it. He has won all this by sheer force of character, and we find it hard to realise he is really giving up.
“As sportsman, I can best sum him up in the current colloquialism that he is absolutely undefeated--(loud and continued cheers). His stable of racehorses has been for years the chief mainstay of Calcutta racing; in all weathers and all vicissitudes of fortune he is to the fore, full of pluck, always has horses to run or to back, buys freely, and is generally a dispensation of Providence to stewards, being a staunch supporter of ruling powers and frequent offers of useful advice born of long experience. His most remarkable virtue to my mind is his exuberant cheerfulness even when luck is against him--(cheers). I never met a better loser, and it means possession of a combination of enviable qualities rarely met with. I have known his career on the turf for over twenty years, and to speak of him as I know him he has throughout raced like an honest English gentleman. As you all know, he is a splendid whip, and was a first-class performer over jumps, especially on difficult horses, until he ended his career to that game, and it was then that he spoilt the shape of the nose I before alluded to--(much laughter and cheers).
“As social companion, I suppose nobody amongst us has ever had such a large circle of appreciative acquaintance in circles from the highest to the lowest, male and female--(laughter and cheers)--and if I may venture to say it without exhibition of bias, his popularity is due to his inexhaustible fund of high spirits, ready sympathy, love for hosts of friends, open-handed generosity--(cheers)--admiration of beauty, his merry Irish wit, and infinite capacity of loyal attachment to his pals--(continued cheers).
“That concludes my dissection of his personality, which the patient has borne heroically, and I now put him together again as one piece--(laughter).