Quotes:Montagu, Lord Robert

Zirkoff, Boris

Montagu, Lord Robert. English politician and controversialist, b. at Melchbourne, Bedfordshire, Jan. 24, 1825; d. at Kensington, May 6, 1902. Received private education, and awarded M.A. from Trinity College, Cambridge, 1849. Conservative M.P., 1859-74. Publ. treatise on ship-building, 1852. Opposed Roebuck’s resolution, 1863, for recognition of the confederacy of the Southern States of America, and was strongly in favour of non-intervention between Denmark and the German powers, 1864; advocated plurality voters and feared the policy of multiplying the ignorant voter; liberal on social questions, and as early as 1860 supported a council of conciliation in labour disputes; was in favour of trade unions. As minister of education, advocated extension of technical education and sought to enforce the conscience clause in all public schools. Remained out of harmony with Disraeli’s Government. Upon retirement, devoted himself to religious controversy. In 1870, became Roman Catholic for a short period, rejoining the Anglican Church, 1882, on ethical and political grounds. He then pursued a vigorous campaign against Romanist doctrines and practices, professing to expose a conspiracy involving both political parties to bring England under the dominion of the Papacy. Author of: A Few Words on Garibaldi, 3rd ed., 1861.—*Recent Events, and a Clue to their Solution, 2nd ed., London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1886. xxiv, 711 pp. 8vo.; 3rd ed., 1888.—Reasons for Leaving the Church of Rome, 1886.

Source: Boris de Zirkoff, «H. P. Blavatsky Collected Writings», vol. 9, p. 444