THE MONUMENT TO LORD BEACONSFIELD IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6118, 27 June 1881, Page 6

THE MONUMENT TO LORD BEACONSFIELD IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY.

In the House of Lords on May 9, Lord Granville moved the Address to the Queen in furtherance of the above object, in a speech, which rivetted the attention of tlie House and elicited sympathetic manifestations of approval. He expressed his opinion that very few arguments were required in favour of the proposal, and pointed out that it did not involve political considerations. He thought it impossible for anyone to deny that Lord Beaconsfiuld had played a great part, and he said he believed no one would deny ■ his splendid gifts or the force of his character. He himself heard that first speech, famous for its failure which Lord Beaconsfield delivered in the House of Commons. Ho believcd'that if that speech had been made when the House of Commons knew Mr. Disraeli better, it would have been received with sympathetic cheers; but the closing sentence showed the unconquerable confidence of the man. As a proof that this force of character remained with Lord Beaconsfield to the end of his life, Lord Granville mentioned that just before his speech on the Afghan question in the present session, Lord Beaconsfield swallowed oue drug and inhaled another in quantities nicely calculated to free him from suffering during the time required for his speech. He said that Lord Beaconsfield was himself very free from prejudices, while he was tolerant of them in others: and he referred to the power he possessed of appealing to the imagination, not only of his countrymen, but of foreigners, a power which was not extinguished even by death. Having referred to Lord Beacoufield's good nature and to his appreciation of kindness shown him by others, Lord Granville concluded by saying that of the smoothness with which the portals of that assembly rolled backed before distinguished men without reference to caste or to blood, of the welcome which was given to such, of the distinguished place which was assigned to them in their lordships' ranks, he knew no brighter or more brilliant example than that of Lord Beacousfield.

Lord Salisbury, in seconding the motion, expressed his concurrence in the graceful and eloquent languago of Lord Granville. He referred to the deep interest with which the fate of Lord Beaconsfield was followed, not only by all classes of people in this country, but by men of the greatest influence and power in other countries ; and he remarked that when the struggle was over, and the career was closed, no doubt was left as to the verdict of the country on Lord Beaconsfield's character. Lord Salisbury told their lordships in feeling terms that his close political connection with Lord Beaconsfield had been comparatively recent, but had lasted through diffieult times, and that the patience, gentleness, and unswerving loyalty which Lord Boaeonsfield

manifested towards his colleagues made an impression on him which would never leave him. He described Lord Beaconsfield's zeal for the greatness of England as the "passion of his life," observing that Lord Beaconsfield wished to see England mighty, powerful, and great. He closed an effective speech by saying that the motion about to be adopted by their lordships was like the feeling out of doors —no expression of any party or sectional feeling, but one of admiration for the splendid genius and magnificent services of the man.

Lord Malmesbury, as an intimate friend from early life, expressed Ms opinion that Lord Beaconsfield had possessed every domestic virtue a man need have. He mentioned that his domestic life while Lady Beaconsfield lived was of the happiest, bat that after her death Lord Beaeonsfield said, "I have no home." The motion was then agreed to.