MR CHAMBERLAIN

Evening Star, Issue 11609, 20 June 1902, Page 3

MR CHAMBERLAIN

- Mr Chamberlain makes his way to lus place, and, before sitting beside the Leader of the House, takes from the table an Order Papier of the day. This, as is generally known, contains a programme of the business to be transacted at that evening’s sitting. Having seated himself, he studies the papier intently for a few seconds, and, having apparently mastered its contents, throws it from him with an impatient gesture Mr Chamberlain then readjusts hie eve-glasses, thrusts his legs straight out before him, and having pit the edge® straight, fire# away. Mr Chamberlain speaks slowly, and uses scarcely any gesture. Most dangerous when most polite, his face become* | like a piece of parchment when roused to j anger. In the art of crushing an adver- j sary by an inconvenient quotation or by | some personal thrust, Mr Chamberlain is | unequalled. It is this gift (says ‘ Cham- i bera’s Journal’) which makes him as formidable on the platform as he is in the House of Commons. At public meetings he always seems to expect a few of his old Radical friends among the audience. But woe bo to the interrupter ! Led on by the orator with a seductive question, his opponent gives just toe reply expected. Back like lightning comes a crushing refort, and thenceforth all is smooth sailing. His peroration# are invariably written out in full in his study, and frequently committed to memory. His voice is firm and dear, but not very musical; his enuncia tion perfect