Chamberlain was very uncomfortable, and soon showed it by an
interrupting cheer. "Seriously," said Mr. Morley, passing from this
lighter, but very effective vein. And then he was interrupted by his
foe. "Hear, hear," shouted Mr. Chamberlain in that deep, raucous, fierce
note, in which he reveals the fierceness of his hatred, as though to say
that it was time for Mr. Morley to address himself to serious things.
[Sidenote: Mr. Sexton.]
So the debate proceeded during the earlier part of the week; as it
neared its close it increased in brilliancy, until in the last night it
went out in a blaze of splendour and glory. On the Thursday evening Mr.
Sexton was the speaker. He made a speech which was two hours and a half
in duration; it was in my opinion too long--I think that except in the
most exceptional cases no orator ought to speak more than half an hour.
And yet I would not have had the speech shorter by one second; and it is
a singular proof of the extraordinary command which this man holds over
the House of Commons that he kept its attention absolutely without a
moment's pause or cessation, during every bit of this tremendous strain
upon his attention.
Pages:
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215