LIGHTS OF OTHER DAYS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 119, 23 May 1925, Page 17

LIGHTS OF OTHER DAYS

BRIGHT, GLADSTONE, AND DIS RAELI. "

Lord Coleridge's "This for Remembrance" (T. Fisher Unwin) is full of interesting episodes, in which he bore his part. He affords glimpses of the great Parliamentary figures of his day, and helps to correct and qualify current conceptions of great events. Mr. W. L. Courtney, in a review of the book, "states that most people supposed that Bright's memorable speech concerning- the Crimean War, in which he spoke of the Angel of Death abroad in the land, "you can almost hear the beating of his wings," was delivered to a full House, crowded benches, and amidst growing excitement and enthusiasm. Nothiii" of the sort, however, according to ford Coleridge. "From an eye-witness I know that Bright was not expected to speak, and that there were few members in the House at the time, though all who heard him felt that they were, present at one of thoso oratorical mo-' nientg which pass into history." Thus another illusion is lightly dispelled, and the future historian is deprived of his best opportunity for a vivid picture. So, again, with regard to Gladstone. If there is one trait which is generally associated with tho keen personality of the Grand Old Man, it is his masterful handling of his Cabinet. We have usually supposed that his colleagues wero ruled with a rod of iron, and that tho domineering spirit of the Prime Minister broke down all opposition to his views. But it was not so. "Lord E.," says our author, "speaking of Gladstone, said that tho widespread belief that he was domiueering in Cabinet Councils was quite unfounded. He was powerful through knowledge, argument, and experience, but he gave way to the opinions of others almost tos much." That "almost too much" suggests a very different figure of the protagonist of Home Rule.

Much the same conclusion may be drawn from other portraits which Lord Coleridge. gives us. He was not impressed by Disraeli, no doubt expecting to hear eloquent oratory, and to soo the figure of_ a picturesque Oriental. There was, besides the antagonism of political views to explain the disappointment which Lord Coleridge felt. Still, he concedes that Disraeli was an interesting figure, though he portrays him merely from tho outside : "Tall, dark, slim, Jewish, dressed with exceeding care all in black, with long buttoned frock coat, ho dandled with his pocket-handkerchief, which he pulled out from his tail pocket, flourished it, wiped his nose and seemingly from its folds brought out his telling point, replacing it when the point was made. Ho had a thin, high voice, greatly differing from tho low voice he used in conversation. When he was solemn he was poor and pompous, when throwing out sallies, excellent and irresistible." This is hardly the portrait of an admirer. Nor yet does John Morley receive a very flattering estimate Slow, hesitating, troubled in his delivery, and guilty at times of over-em-phasis—such is the description of his characteristics as a speaker. An anecdote is added which gives an unsympathetic aspect of Morley's personality. In the Home Rule controversy a great gathering was collected at Templecombe, Morley as chief speaker. At his entrance the whole audience rose to greet him. "Does not this inspire you?" asked Lord Coleridge, who was sitting next him. "Not i n the least " he answered, "I am thinking how my speech will read in the papers to-mor-row morning." A cold-blooded orator this, not likely to impress an audience, or even to retain their attention.