ions of
the tariff and to show that the respective businesses would be carried
on and not ruined as they said. I have ever since said that deputations
are most admirable aids for the transaction of public business, provided
the receiver of them is allowed to fix the occasion and the stage at
which they appear.'

PEEL TO JOHN GLADSTONE

Among the deputations of this period Mr. Gladstone always recalled one
from Lancashire, as the occasion on which he first saw Mr. Bright:--

The deputation was received not by me but by Lord Ripon, in the
large room at the board of trade, I being present. A long line of
fifteen or twenty gentlemen occupied benches running down and at
the end of the room, and presented a formidable appearance. All
that I remember, however, is the figure of a person in black or
dark Quaker costume, seemingly the youngest of the band. Eagerly he
sat a little forward on the bench and intervened in the discussion.
I was greatly struck with him. He seemed to me rather fierce, but
very strong and very earnest. I need hardly say this was John
Bright. A year or two after he made his appearance in
parliament.[157]

The best testimony to Mr. Gladstone's share in this arduous task is
supplied in a letter written by the prime minister himself to John
Gladstone, and that he should have taken the trouble to write it shows,
moreover, that though Peel may have been a 'bad horse to go up to in the
stable,' his reserve easily melted away in recognition of difficult duty
well done:--

_Sir Robert Peel to John Gladstone._

_Whitehall, June 16, 1842._--You probably have heard that we have
concluded the discussions (the preliminary discussions at least) on
the subject of the tariff. I cannot resist the temptation, if it be
only for the satisfaction of my own feelings, of congratulating you
most warmly and sincerely, on the distinction which your son has
acquired, by the manner in which he has conducted himself
throughout those discussions and all others since his appointment
to office. At no time in the annals of parliament has there been
exhibited a more admirable combination of ability, extensive
knowledge, temper, and discretion. Your paternal feelings must be
gratified in the highest degree by the success which has naturally
and justly followed the intellectua