[Sidenote: Mr. Balfour.]
Mr. Balfour, I have said more than once, does not display his talents
best in Opposition. In his desire to be effective, he strains a not very
strong voice until, it sounds almost like a shriek. I do not wish to be
unfair to Mr. Balfour. There is, as I have often said in these columns,
a certain distinction in all he does. I often think he is wanting in
that consideration and reverence for the mighty old gladiator whom it is
his duty to oppose; but for all this I make allowance, as it is his duty
to oppose Mr. Gladstone, and in doing that, he may sometimes appear
unintentionally irreverent. But the fact is, Mr. Balfour is thin,
narrow, and does not get at the reality of things. Many people say he is
very inferior to Mr. Chamberlain; but most assuredly I do not in the
least agree with this opinion. To me the difference between the two men
is the difference between a scholar and a counter-jumper--I mean a
counter-jumper of the Senate, and not of the shop. But though that is my
opinion, I cannot refrain from saying that Mr. Balfour contrasts very
unfavourably with Mr. Gladstone in this struggle of giants.
[Sidenote: An ugly moment.
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