ain, probably, has not the ordinary
sensitiveness of nerves. Combative, masterful, with narrow and
concentrated purpose, he pursues the game of politics--not without
affliction, but with persistent tenacity and a courage that have rarely
shown any signs of faltering or failing.

All these things must be granted to Mr. Chamberlain; but when I come to
speak of him intellectually, I cannot see anything in him but a very
perky, smart, glib-tongued "drummer," who is able to pick up the crumbs
of knowledge with extraordinary rapidity, and give them forth again
with considerable dexterity. He speech on Uganda, so far as its thought
and its phraseology were concerned, was on the level of the profound
utterances with which Sir Ashmead Bartlett tickles and infuriates the
groundlings of provincial audiences. But it took the House--at least, it
took the Tories; and, after all, what party orators who have not the
responsibilities of office have to do, is to get cheers and embarrass
the Government.

[Sidenote: Another hymn to the G.O.M.]

The reader must not be either exasperated or bored if he finds
continuous mention of the G.O.M. in these pages, for he is, to a great
extent, the House of Commons. I remember hearing Mrs. Gladstone once use
of her distinguished husband a phrase which gave tersely and simply a
complete idea of a side of his character. It was just before his
historic visit to Birmingham, and there was anxiety as to the vast size
of the great Bingley Hall in which it had been decided he was to speak.
"He has such heart," said Mrs. Gladstone of her husband--meaning that
whatever was the size of the hall, he would do his best, at whatever
cost, to fill it with his voice. It is this mighty heart of his which
carries him through everything, and which largely accounts for the hold
he has over the imaginations and hearts of the masses. Well, one can see
proof of this in his conduct whenever he is leader of a Government.
Other Prime Ministers and leaders of the House are only too willing to
leave as much of the work as possible to their subordinates. Disraeli
used to lie in Oriental calm during the greater part of every sitting,
leaving all his lieutenants to do the drudgery while he dosed and posed.
Not so Gladstone. He is almost literally always on his legs. The biggest
bore--the rudest neophyte--the most gulping obstructive is certain of an
answer from him--courteous, considerate, and ample. No debate, however
small, is