The Strand Magazine, Vol. 07, Issue 40, April, 1894: An Illustrated MonthlyVarious
General
The Strand Magazine, Vol. 07, Issue 40, April, 1894: An Illustrated Monthly
Various
English literature -- Periodicals; Short stories, English -- Periodicals
I do not remember seeing Mr. Gladstone more angry than he was one
Wednesday afternoon in the Session of 1870. Here again his wrath was
excited by an ordinarily inoffensive person. The Irish Education Bill
was before the House, and there was, naturally, a Tea Room Party formed
by good Liberals for the destruction of their Leader and the bringing
in of the other side. Mr. Fawcett was foremost in the cabal, laying
the foundation, after a manner not unfamiliar in politics, of the
Ministerial position he later attained under the statesman whom he had
attacked from the flank. Mr. Miall, in genial Nonconformist fashion,
accused Mr. Gladstone of profiting by the support of the Opposition,
thus earning the suspicion, distrust, and antagonism of his most
earnest supporters.
By an odd coincidence, Mr. Miall sat that afternoon in the very seat
where last year Mr. Gladstone was accustomed to find Mr. Chamberlain.
When he sat down the Premier leaped to his feet and, turning upon him
with angry gesture, as if he would sweep him bodily out of the House,
said: "I hope my hon. friend will not continue his support of the
Government one moment longer than he deems it consistent with his sense
of duty and right. For God's sake, sir, let him withdraw it the moment
he thinks it better for the cause he has at heart that he should do so."
Twenty-four years have sped since that Wednesday afternoon. But I can
see, as if it were yesterday, the figure with outstretched hand, and
hear the thunderous voice in which this never since repeated invocation
to the Deity rang through the House. The outbreak was memorable because
rare. Since then the provocation has been as persistent as that which
on this same Irish Education Bill prepared for the foundering of the
Liberal party in the earliest months of 1874, and led to all that came
to pass in the next six years of the Disraeli Parliament. Occasionally
Mr. Gladstone has been moved to outburst of resentment. But it has been
slight compared with the incentive.
We have heard and read in recent months much about the courage,
eloquence, and statesmanship of this great career. To me it seems
that the most strongly marked feature in it has been its quiet long
suffering, its sublime patience. The fight is finished now, well done
up to the very last, and to-day--
For thee, good knight and grey, whose gleaming crest
Leads us no longer, every generous breast
Breathes benediction on thy well-won rest.
[Sidenote: YOUTH AND AGE.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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