been induced to throw off their allegiance; and large indulgence will be shown to those whose crimes may appear to have originated in too credulous acceptance of the false reports circulated by designing men.

To all others in arms against the government we hereby promise unconditional pardon, amnesty, and oblivion of all offenses against ourselves, our crown and dignity, on their return to their homes and peaceful pursuits.

An early view of the two men, Disraeli and Gladstone, who were so long to be the most prominent political leaders in parliament and in the country is given in the following contemporary description of a scene in parliament in 1838. Neither the author's estimate of Mr. Gladstone's character nor his prophecy of his future career was very accurate, but it is to be remembered that Mr. Gladstone's character was not a simple one nor his political development entirely consistent.

Gladstone

When he [Disraeli] rose, which he did immediately after 437. Mr. DisMr. O'Connell had concluded his speech, all eyes were fixed raeli and Mr. on him, and all ears were open to listen to his eloquence; but (1838) before he had proceeded far he furnished a striking illustration

of the hazard that attends on highly wrought expectations. Mr. Disraeli's After the first few minutes he met with every possible mani- first speech festation of opposition and ridicule from the ministerial benches, and was, on the other hand, cheered in the loudest and most earnest manner by his Tory friends; and it is particularly deserving of mention that even Sir Robert Peel, who very rarely cheers any honorable gentleman, not even the most able and accomplished speakers of his own party, greeted Mr. Disraeli's speech with a prodigality of applause which must have been severely trying to the worthy baronet's lungs.

At one time, in consequence of the extraordinary interruptions he met with, Mr. Disraeli intimated his willingness to resume his seat, if the House wished him to do so. He proceeded, however, for a short time longer, but was still assailed

with groans and undergrowls in all their varieties; the uproar, indeed, often became so great as completely to drown his voice.

At last, losing all temper, which until now he had preserved in a wonderful manner, he paused in the midst of a sentence, and, looking the Liberals in the face, raised his hands, and opening his mouth as wide as its dimensions would permit, said in remarkably loud and almost terrific tones, "Though I sit down now, the time will come when you will hear me." Mr. Disraeli then sat down amidst the loudest uproar.

The exhibition altogether was a most extraordinary one. Mr. Disraeli's appearance and manner were very singular. His dress also was peculiar; it had much of a theatrical aspect. His black hair was long and flowing, and he had a most ample crop of it. His gesture was abundant; he often appeared as if trying with what celerity he could move his body from one side to another and throw his hands out and draw them in again. At other times he flourished one hand before his face and then the other. His voice, too, is of a very unusual kind : it is powerful and had every justice done to it in the way of exercise; but there is something peculiar in it which I am at a loss to characterize. His utterance was rapid and he never seemed at a loss for words. On the whole, and notwithstanding the result of his first attempt, I am convinced he is a man who possesses many of the requisites of a good debater. That he is a man of great literary talent, few will dispute.

Mr. Gladstone, the member for Newark, is one of the most rising young men on the Tory side of the House. His party expect great things from him; and certainly, when it is remembered that his age is only twenty-five, the success of the parliamentary efforts he has already made justifies their expectations. He is well informed on most of the subjects which usually occupy the attention of the legislature, and he is happy in turning his information to a good account. He is ready, on all occasions which he deems fitting ones, with a speech in favor of the policy advocated by the party with whom he acts. His extemporaneous resources are ample. Few men in the House can improvisate better. It does not appear to cost him an effort to speak. He is a man of very considerable talent

but has nothing approaching to genius. His abilities are much more the result of an excellent education and of mature study than of any prodigality on the part of nature in the distribution of mental gifts.

I have no idea that he will ever acquire the reputation of a great statesman. His views are not sufficiently profound or enlarged for that; his celebrity in the House of Commons will chiefly depend on his readiness and dexterity as a debater, in conjunction with the excellence of his elocution and the gracefulness of his manner when speaking. His style is polished, but has no appearance of the effect of previous preparation. He displays considerable acuteness in replying to an opponent; he is quick in his perception of anything vulnerable in the speech to which he replies, and happy in laying the weak point bare to the gaze of the House. He now and then indulges in sarcasm, which is, in most cases, very felicitous. He is plausible even when most in error. When it suits himself or his party, he can apply himself with the strictest closeness to the real point at issue; when to evade that point is deemed politic, no man can wander from it more widely.

The ablest speech he ever made in the House, and by far the ablest on the same side of the question, was when opposing, on the 30th of March last, Sir George Strickland's motion for the abolition of the negro apprenticeship system on the 1st of August next. Mr. Gladstone, I should here observe, is himself an extensive West India planter.

Mr. Gladstone's appearance and manners are much in his favor. He is a fine-looking man. He is about the usual height and of good figure. His countenance is mild and pleasant and has a highly intellectual expression. His eyes are clear and quick. His eyebrows are dark and rather prominent. There is not a dandy in the House but envies what Truefitt would call his "fine head of jet-black hair." It is always carefully parted from the crown downwards to his brow, where it is tastefully shaded. His features are small and regular; and his complexion must be a very unworthy witness if he does not possess an abundant stock of health.

438. Observations in the House of Commons

(1854)

Cobden

Macaulay

A clearer impression of the leading statesmen in the House of Commons, sixteen years later, about the time of the Crimean War, may be obtained from a book of observations in England, written in 1854 by William Wells Brown. The author was himself a man of some interest. He was an American negro, who had escaped from slavery in the South and been educated by a Northern man. He later traveled, was well received abroad, and wrote an interesting account of his journey.

Yonder, on the right of us, sits Richard Cobden. Look at his thin, pale face, and spare-made frame. He started as a commercial traveler; was afterwards a calico printer and merchant in Manchester. He was the expounder, in the Manchester Chamber of Commerce and in the town council, of the principles of free trade. In the council of the AntiCorn Law League he was the leader, and principal agitator of the question in public meetings throughout the kingdom. He was first elected for Stockport. When Sir Robert Peel's administration abolished the corn laws, the prime minister avowed in the House of Commons that the great measure was in most part achieved by the unadorned eloquence of Richard Cobden. He is the representative of the nonintervention or political peace party, holding the right and duty of national defense, but opposing all alliances which are calculated to embroil the country in the affairs of other nations. His age is about fifty. He represents the largest constituency in the kingdom — the western division of Yorkshire, which contains thirty-seven thousand voters. Mr. Cobden has a reflective cast of mind; and is severely logical in his style, and very lucid in the treatment of his subjects. He may be termed the leader of the Radical party in the House.

Three seats from Cobden you see that short, stout person, with his high head, large, round face, good-sized eyes. It is Macaulay, the poet, critic, historian, and statesman. If you have not read his essay on Milton, you should do so immediately; it is the finest thing of the kind in the language. . ..

Over on the same side with the Liberals sits John Bright, the Bright Quaker statesman, and leader of the Manchester school. He is the son of a Rochdale manufacturer, and first distinguished himself as an agitator in favor of the repeal of the corn laws. He represents the city of Manchester, and has risen rapidly. Mr. Cobden and he invariably act together, and will, doubtless, sooner or later, come into power together. Look at his robust and powerful frame, round and pleasing face. He is but little more than forty; an earnest and eloquent speaker, and commands the fixed attention of his audience.

See that exceedingly good-looking man just taking his seat. Gladstone It is William Ewart Gladstone. He is the son of a Liverpool merchant and represents the University of Oxford. He came into parliament in 1832 under the auspices of the Tory duke of Newcastle. He was a disciple of the first Sir R. Peel, and was by that statesman introduced into official life. He has been vice president and president of the board of trade, and is now chancellor of the exchequer. Mr. Gladstone is only forty-four. When not engaged in speaking he is of rather unprepossessing appearance. His forehead appears low, but his eye is bright and penetrating. He is one of the ablest debaters in the House, and is master of a style of eloquence in which he is quite unapproached. As a reasoner he is subtle, and occasionally jesuitical; but, with a good cause and a conviction of the right, he rises to a lofty pitch of oratory, and may be termed the Wendell Phillips of the House of Commons. There sits Disraeli, among the Tories. Look at that Jewish Disraeli face, those dark ringlets hanging round that marble brow. When on his feet he has a catlike, stealthy step; always looks on the ground when walking. He is the son of the well-known author of the Curiosities of Literature. His ancestors were Venetian Jews. He was himself born a Jew, and was initiated into the Hebrew faith. Subsequently he embraced Christianity. His literary works are numerous, consisting entirely of novels, with the exception of a biography of the late Lord George Bentinck, the leader of the Protectionist party, to whose post Mr. Disraeli succeeded on the death of his friend and political chief. Mr. Disraeli has been all round the compass in politics.