Chamberlain got up and declared that his amendment had served its
purpose--an awkward way of putting it, which the Liberals were not slow
to take up. The debate was made remarkable by the first speech of any
importance made by Mr. Burt since he became a member of the Ministry.
Mr. Burt is the most popular of members, and there was a ring of genuine
delight in the welcome given to the honest, modest, genuine working man
standing at the Treasury Bench, and symbolising the revolution of the
times. Mr. Burt spoke ably and well, but it was in a foreign
tongue--which it takes a little time for even a quick linguist to
understand. This Northumbrian burr is the strongest accent in the House;
even the broadest Scotch is less difficult to catch. It is curious how
the different parts of the country betray themselves by their speech.
There are Scotchmen whom it is not easy to follow, and there are very
few of them who speak with anything like an English accent. Even the
most fluent of the Welshmen speak with a certain hesitation, betraying
their bilingual infancy and youth. The Irish have as many accents nearly
as there are members. The Northumbrian burr, however, is a tongue apart.
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