Calm, self-restrained, almost frigid in
delivery, chaste and sternly simple in language, Mr. Asquith's
peroration reached a height that few men could ever attain. The still
House sate with its members raised to their highest point of endurance,
and it was almost a relief when the stately flow came to an end, and men
were able to relieve their pent-up tide of feeling.
CHAPTER IX.
THE END OF A GREAT WEEK.
[Sidenote: Mr. Goschen.]
The Tories were not in good heart at the beginning of the week which saw
the second reading of the Home Rule Bill carried on April 21st, and
perhaps it was owing to this that they put up one of their very best
men. Mr. Goschen I have always held to be one of the really great
debaters of the House of Commons. It is true that he has almost every
physical disadvantage with which an orator could be cursed. His voice is
hoarse, muffled, raucous, with some reminiscences of the Teutonic
fatherland from which he remotely comes. His shortness of sight amounts
almost to a disability. Whenever he has anything to read he has to place
the paper under his eyes, and even then he finds it very difficult to
read it.
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