In 1892 Mr. Gladstone retired, and his place at the head of the Liberal
Government was taken by Lord Rosebery. Lloyd George, in his efforts to
secure the early passage of the Welsh disestablishment bill, continued
to strike hard at his nominal chief until in 1894 came the end of this
particular sphere of his operations, for the Liberal Government was
turned out and a Conservative Government put in its place. This,
however, was Lloyd George's real opportunity. Independent as he had
been in the ranks of his own party, he now found far greater scope as a
foe in opposition to Ministers in power. He went for them, tooth and
nail, making a dead set at Chamberlain, who had taken Gladstone's place
as the leading figure in the House of Commons. Chamberlain himself had
fought his way up. Those who have seen Chamberlain will never forget
him--the long, strong face, the steady, hard eyes, the straight-cut
mouth, the rigidly erect, slim body, the unfailing single eyeglass, and
the orchid in his buttonhole making a picture which can never be
disassociated from will-power, a mind cold and clear, a lucid gift of
speech, unflinching courage, and a savage contempt for weakness or
inefficiency. He had against him in the House of Commons some able
critics, but not more than two or three could really stand up to him in
argument. I believe there was not a single one even of these who dared
to take off the gloves to him in real fighting earnest. Lloyd George
went into opposition with his eyes fixed on Chamberlain.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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