Preface
The first person who suggested that I might write for The New Criterion was a Catholic priest in an airport queue, a complete stranger who had seen my copy of Standpoint and with whom I fell into conversation. Once the latter magazine had gone bust – in the manner described by Hemingway: “at first gradually, then all at once” – I needed a new home for my occasional long-form pieces. The editor kindly accommodated the essay on Horace above (“More lasting than bronze”) and like me enjoyed the glimpses which the collection of translations of Ode I.v afforded of the anthologist’s personality. It was in fact he, Roger Kimball, who alerted me to the existence of Sir Ronald Storrs’ memoirs, Orientations. I suppose in the circumstances he could not easily reject an essay on the man. This article does little more than shamelessly stitch together the best of the anecdotes, tall stories and memorable personalities recounted within the book. The gaiety of the prose and of the life concealed a deep seriousness of purpose, and Storrs’ proconsular roles always imposed grave responsibilities. But the lightness of touch is irresistible and explains in part why Storrs was Jan Morris’ favourite imperialist. I am glad to think that this piece seems to have acquainted a few people who might otherwise have missed him with a brilliant autobiography set in the closing chapters of the British Empire.