THIS WEEK’S ANNIVERSARY

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 19, 17 August 1928, Page 4

THIS WEEK’S ANNIVERSARY

LORD BEACONSFIELD, SPEECH HOWLED DOWN. * On August 16th, 1876, Benjandu Disraeli became Earl of Beacousfield. He entered Parliament in 1837, and was Prime Minister in 1868 and from 1874 ter 1880. For a quarter of a century be led the Conservatives in the House of Commons, ed ucating,” in his own phrase, the men who slowly and reluctantly submitted <j:<> his indjispensa/bllei domination. When be attained real power in 1874. he showed that Imperialism and a spirited foreign policy had taken the place in his heart of the dirtier onthusSasm for social refforrni; hut it cannot be said that he did anything to bind the Empire tog-etner. BOYISH DELIGHT. 'Disraeli,, says J. A. Froude, describing his entry into Parliament,wVis supremely happy. He had lluVl a career before him, and a career itwhich he was certain that he could distinguish liimself. H|s delight was boyish. The election was hi; July, and Parliament met in November. Disraeli bad no personal i n terest in any of the great question-', whijeh divided English opinion. He owned no tuid; he was unconnected with trade; he l had none of the hereditary prepossessions of a native Englishman. He was merely a volunteer on the side with which, as a man of intellect, lie had most natural sympathy. Success to Disraeli in the House of Commons, was the attempt, ive of a financial catastrophe. His debts were large. Money had! been, necessary to him for the position to which he aspired. He had no securities to offer, and never entangled friends hi his pecuniary dealings. He had gone frankly to the professional money-lenders, who had made advances to him in a speculation upon hiV success. At worst he was but following the example of Burke and the, younger Pitt. As big bills fell due. they had! been renewed 1 at 8 and IP per cent and even more, and when he commenced his political life, would, have been formidhble to anyone hut himself. ON HIS MERITS. He had started on hi s merits, for lie had nothing else toi recommend him., He had no great constituency at his hack, no popular course to represent. A first speech in tha. House of Commons is usually treated with, indulgence. The notoriety which Disraeli had brought on himself by previous wordy encounters . was tq make him a solitary exception. Three weeks after Disraeli had taken his seat there was a debate upon some election manoeuvres in Ireland. . . Immediately after O’Cannell Disraeli rose. His appearance was theatrical, ag usual. He was dressed in » bottle-green frock coat, with a white* waistcoat, collarless, and with needless display of gold chain. His face was lividly pale, his voice and manner peculiar. He bhga,n naturally and sensibly, keeping to the point of. the debate. He wa s cheered hy hi s own side, and might have got through tolerably enough; but the gentlemen below the gangway had determined that he should not enjoy a victory. ’ ' YS SCORNFUL LAUGHTER. ...

Of course he did not yet know the House of Commons. Affected expressions, which would have been welcomed at Wycombe or Taunton, were received with scornful laughter. He bore it for a time good-humouredly, and begged them to hear him out,He was answered with'fresh peals of mockery. The word had gone out that he was to be put down. Each time that he tried to proceed the. storm burst out, and the Speaker could net silence it. Peel cheered him repeatedly. The Tory party cheered, but to no purpose. At last finding it useless to persist, he said lie was not surprised at the reception which he had experienced. Ho had begun several times many things and had succeeded at lasti. Then, pausing and looking indignantly across the House ( he exclaimed in a. loud andJ remarkable voice, which startled even the noisy hounds who were harking loudest; “I will sit down now, hut the time null come when you will hear me.” On the advice of Sheil, Disraeli altered hi s manner of addressing tho House, and by the end of the session had made solid progress in the estimation of members, and!,- far more to the purpose, his quick apprehension Jiad learnt the tenmer and disposition of the House itself.