As Mr. Gladstone subdued himself to the temper
of the House, the House accommodated itself to the tone of Mr.
Gladstone. I have heard his speech on the second reading described as a
pleasant, delightful, historical lecture. Certainly, no stranger coming
to the House would have imagined that these sentences, flowing in a
beautiful, even stream, dealt with one of the conflicts of our time
which excite the fiercest passion and bitterest blood. It is this
calmness that is now part of Mr. Gladstone's strength. It soothes and
kills at the same time.
[Sidenote: The Nestor-patriot.]
The evening was soft and sunny, the air of the House subdued, and the
absence of anything like large numbers prevented outbursts of party
passion. And yet all this seemed to heighten the effectiveness of the
scene and the speech. Once again one had to think of Mr. Gladstone--as
posterity will think of him at this splendid epoch of his career--not as
the party politician, giving and receiving hard blows--riding a
whirlwind of passion--facing a hurricane of hate--but as the
Nestor-patriot of his country, telling all parties alike the gospel that
will lead to peace, prosperity, and contentment.
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