ered. On Sunday, the chancellor of the exchequer went as
usual twice to church, and read the _Paradiso_; 'but I was obliged,' he
says, with an accent of contrition, 'to give several hours to my
figures.' Monday brought the critical moment. 'April 18. Wrote minutes.
Read Shakespeare at night. This day was devoted to working up my papers
and figures for the evening. Then drove and walked with C. [Mrs.
Gladstone]. Went at 41/2 to the House. Spoke 43/4 hours in detailing the
financial measures, and my strength stood out well, thank God. Many kind
congratulations afterwards. Herberts and Wortleys came home with us and
had soup and negus.'

LAID BEFORE PARLIAMENT

The proceeding that figures here so simply was, in fact, one of the
great parliamentary performances of the century. Lord Aberdeen wrote to
Prince Albert that 'the display of power was wonderful; it was agreed in
all quarters that there had been nothing like the speech for many years,
and that under the impression of his commanding eloquence the reception
of the budget had been most favourable.' Lord John told the Queen the
speech was one of the ablest ever made in the House of Commons. 'Mr.
Pitt, in the days of his glory, might have been more imposing, but he
could not have been more persuasive.' Lord Aberdeen heard from Windsor
the next day: 'The Queen must write a line to Lord Aberdeen to say how
delighted she is at the great success of Mr. Gladstone's speech last
night.... We have every reason to be sanguine now, which is a great
relief to the Queen.' Prince Albert used the same language to Mr.
Gladstone: 'I cannot resist writing you a line in order to congratulate
you on the success of your speech of yesterday. I have just completed a
close and careful perusal of it and should certainly have cheered had I
a seat in the House. I hear from all sides that the budget has been well
received. Trusting that your Christian humility will not allow you to be
dangerously elated, I cannot help sending for your perusal the report
which Lord John Russell sent to the Queen, feeling sure that it will
give you pleasure, such approbation being the best reward a public man
can have.'

On the cardinal question of the fortunes of the ministry its effect was
decisive. The prime minister wrote to Mr. Gladstone himself (April 19):
'While everybody is congratulating _me_ on the wonderful impression
produced in the House of Commons last night, it seems only reaso