g. There
were none of the descents to pathetic and inaudible whispers which
occasionally in the hours of fag and fatigue have painfully impressed
the sympathetic hearer. As Mr. Gladstone subdued himself to the temper
of the House, the House accommodated itself to the tone of Mr.
Gladstone. I have heard his speech on the second reading described as a
pleasant, delightful, historical lecture. Certainly, no stranger coming
to the House would have imagined that these sentences, flowing in a
beautiful, even stream, dealt with one of the conflicts of our time
which excite the fiercest passion and bitterest blood. It is this
calmness that is now part of Mr. Gladstone's strength. It soothes and
kills at the same time.

[Sidenote: The Nestor-patriot.]

The evening was soft and sunny, the air of the House subdued, and the
absence of anything like large numbers prevented outbursts of party
passion. And yet all this seemed to heighten the effectiveness of the
scene and the speech. Once again one had to think of Mr. Gladstone--as
posterity will think of him at this splendid epoch of his career--not as
the party politician, giving and receiving hard blows--riding a
whirlwind of passion--facing a hurricane of hate--but as the
Nestor-patriot of his country, telling all parties alike the gospel that
will lead to peace, prosperity, and contentment. The Tories, doubtless,
see none of this; but even they cannot help falling into the mood of the
hour, and under the fascination of the speaker. Now and then they
interrupt, but, as a rule, they sit in respectful and awed silence.
Whenever they do venture on interruption, the old lion shows that he is
still in possession of all that power for a sudden and deadly spring,
which lies concealed under the easy and tranquil strength of the hour.
He happens to mention the case of Norway and Sweden as one of the cases
which confirm his contention that autonomy produces friendly relations.
He has to confess, that in this case some difficulties have arisen;
there is a faint Tory cheer. At once--but with gentle good humour--with
an indulgent smile--Mr. Gladstone remarks that he doesn't wonder that
the Tories clutch at the smallest straw that helps them to eke out a
case against autonomy, and then he proceeds to show that even the case
of Norway and Sweden doesn't help them a bit.

[Sidenote: A vivid gesture.]

There is another little touch which will bring out the perfection and
beauty of the speech.