GLADSTONE.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2662, 2 June 1908, Page 7

GLADSTONE.

For my part I only saw him at the close of his career, when his star had long passed its zenith.

j While he remained in the House he ! was, beyond all question, by far the greatest figure there. He was like one of the ancient Greek heroes, who had somehow survived from a past and altogether different age, and | other men lookpd small beside him. I But, however much we might dis- [ approve and distrust his public acts, he would indeed have been a poor, j dull. and prejudiced creature who did ] not feel the touch of his marvellous ' personality. His earnestness, his vigour, his fiery ] words, his apparent resolve to do the ; right all the world over, his graceful j gestures, so rare in English speakers, 1 could not fail to appeal to all. Then there was his marvellous, old- : world courtesy to all alike, even to 'the youngest member on the opposite i side, so different to the ways of the j modern politician. I 1 remember that he sat through my I maiden speech, which is more than J anv of mv own leaders did. BEER. Sir Cuthbcrt Qufflctr's speeches on the Pure Beer Bill in 1901. had in- : deed become quite an institution in I the House, and many members who were supporters of the measure hoped. lin their hearts that it would never pass, as, if it did, Sir Cuthbert's mission would be gone. .With quaint diction and slight stammer, Sir Cuthbcrt always amused the House, though whether his speeches advanced the cause he had at heart or the reverse it is not so i easy to decide. "The origin of b-b-becr, Mr. ] Speaker," he once began, "is lost in I remote anti-ti-quity ;" and the j House, SiH-aker included, laughed out- • right from the start. j He then proceeded ( omit his stamI monitions)—"We hear of it in- connection with the learning of the ancient Egyptians. Herodotus speaks !of wine made from barley. . . In j our own history ithe first mention of the subject is found in the reign of Edward the Confessor, when . it is duly recorded in Doomsday Book as follows :—Malam cerevisiam faciens in cathedra ponebatur stercoris'— that is, 'for ma-king bad beer a bre\vster was put in the muck cart.' " (Roars of laughter.) Then, with mock gravity, "In the Middle Ages beer was not only tasted but the following primitive method jof assaying was adopted ; some ale was spilt on a wooden seat and the ale-taster sat on it, attired in lea- | ther breeches. If sugar had been I added, the taster became so adherent that rising was difficult." (Much laughter.) | Then, with great seriousness. Sir Cuthbert added. "It is within the j bounds of possibility, Mr. Speaker, that a plentiful supply of sugar and 'beer has been the cause of several I members of the House sticking to '• their seats."