SIR,--My Secretary was much pained at your last letter. He has
informed me of its contents. I can only say that I am surprised
that a statesman of your undoubted ability should exhibit such
peculiar controversial methods.
The circumstances are not new. In 1911, in the House of Commons, I
find that I formulated the same opinion of you in substantially the
same words, yet no objection was then raised by you nor could any
objection have been so raised.
Since your election your attitude on every question has been
deplorable, and although I am of the opposite party I may say that
in this view I am in no sense actuated by party feeling. This is a
matter too serious for the bitterness of partisanship.
I repeat that in my opinion you have frequently employed the
blustering artifice of a rhetorical hireling.
Unless I hear from you within half-an-hour I shall send a copy of
this letter to the Press.
Yours faithfully,
A. B. C. WENTWORTH-COKE.
P.S.--Could you oblige me by letting me know who was the originator
of the phrase?