But,
notwithstanding these two things--which are both, to my mind, capital
defects in Parliamentary speaking--Sir William put his case with such
extraordinary lucidity, that everybody listened in profound attention to
every word he uttered; and when he sate down, he was almost overwhelmed
with the chorus of praise which descended on his head from all quarters
of the House.
Sir William Harcourt imitated most Chancellors of the Exchequer, in
keeping his secret to the latest possible moment. Like a good dramatist
also, he arranged his figures and the matter of his speech so well that
the final solution became inevitable, and the final solution, of course,
was the addition of a penny to the income-tax. The debate which followed
the Budget speech was quiet, discursive, friendly to the Chancellor of
the Exchequer. Mr. Picton is a formidable man to Chancellors of the
Exchequer--for he has very strong ideas of reform--especially on the
breakfast-table; but Mr. Picton is rational as well as Radical; and he
cordially acknowledged the duty of postponing even the reforms on which
Radicals have set their hearts until more convenient times and seasons.
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