t moment, and understand the sense of
relief, joy, and confidence which came over it when the presence of the
Speaker brought it to the sense that at last the reign of Anarchy was
over, and order was in the hands of one who could maintain it against
all men, and against the whole House if needs be. And then, to my
astonishment, Mr. Gibbs complained of my use of the term "Judas" to Mr.
Chamberlain. As I have said, all this had passed from everybody's
memory, it really had nothing to do with the awful scene which had just
been enacted, and, in fact, it was like some sudden return to ancient
and forgotten history. Moreover, it had the disadvantage of conveying an
entirely wrong impression of what had really taken place; it shifted
back the attention to what was after all more or less playfulness, or at
the worst, mere verbal disorder, from the odious, brutal resort to
physical violence which had just taken place. Moreover, it put a wrong
complexion on even the verbal disorder, for it put the initiative with
me instead of with Mr. Chamberlain, and, finally, it entirely removed
from view the gross and scandalous breach of order which Mr. Gibbs and
his friends had committed by retaining their seats and refusing to leave
the House.

[Sidenote: My apology.]

But the great consideration with the Speaker--and, indeed, with
everybody else who had the dignity and honour of the House of Commons at
heart--was to shove underground as soon, as promptly, as roughly as
possible, the corpse of its dignity and reputation; and without making
any attempt to explain my conduct--to shift on the responsibility to
where it really lay--to draw attention, except by a mere sentence, to
that scene of physical violence--I made my apology. I cannot claim that
it was all that I ought to have said; several people have blamed me for
not calling attention to the use of the word "Herod" by Mr. Chamberlain.
But really the Speaker was so generous; I entered so fully into his idea
that recrimination would only prolong an odious, detestable, and
degrading scene--that I could not haggle about terms; and was determined
to do my part towards getting back the House to a sense of its honour,
dignity, and self-respect.

[Footnote: Mr. Hayes Fisher.]

There were some allusions to the deplorable business of July 27, during
the following week. But the allusions were few--very brief, and very
shamefaced. Indeed, the House of Commons was so heartily ashamed of
itsel