although as high commissioner constantine looked after his staff and was respected by other diplomats, howat observes there is limited evidence that he was successful in the post: "in the one area in which he acted positively, he blundered—the bristol affair. in the language of the game he loved ... his timing was wrong though he was full of good intentions". howat adds that he did not increase his stature or reputation during his term of office. mason believes that "there was too much of the welfare officer about him and not enough of the government focused diplomat."