[Sidenote: A wild scene.]
Speaking on the Freemasons, on June 22nd, Mr. Gladstone related the
interesting autobiographical fact that he himself was not a Freemason,
and never had been; and, indeed, having been fully occupied
otherwise--this delicate allusion to that vast life of never-ending
work--of gigantic enterprises--of solemn and sublime responsibilities,
was much relished--he never had had sufficient curiosity to make any
particular inquiries as to what Freemasonry really was. I don't know
what came over Mr. Balfour--some people thought it was because he
expected to detach some Freemason votes from the Liberal side; but he
was guilty of what I admit is an unusual thing with him--an intentional,
a gross, an almost shameful misrepresentation of Mr. Gladstone's words.
Making the same interesting personal statement as Mr. Gladstone, that he
was not himself a Freemason, he went on to suggest that Mr. Gladstone
had made a comparison between a fraudulent Liberator Society and the
Freemasons. At this thrust there was a terrible hubbub in the House, and
that fanaticism with which the Mason holds to his institution was
aroused; indeed, for a little while, the scene was Bedlam-like in its
passion and anarchy.
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