er paid to political man and his vast powers as orator and
popular leader. In Midlothian the crusade had been opened, and in
Midlothian its triumph was sealed.

The poll was declared in Edinburgh soon after seven on the evening of
April 5, and a few minutes later the result, amid every demonstration of
extravagant delight from the triumphant multitude as they rushed away from
the courthouse, was made known to Mr. Gladstone at a house in George
Street taken by Lord Rosebery for the occasion. A couple of candles were
brought from the dining-table and held on each side of him, so that his
face might be seen, as from the balcony he spoke a few words of
thanks.(365) "Drove into Edinburgh about four," Mr. Gladstone records. "At
7.20 Mr. Reid brought the figures of the poll--Gladstone, 1579; Dalkeith,
1368; quite satisfactory. Soon after, 15,000 people being gathered in
George Street, I spoke very shortly from the windows, and Rosebery
followed, excellently well. Home about 10. Wonderful and nothing less has
been the disposing guiding hand of God in all this matter." The majority
was not of great dimensions, but it was adequate and sufficient, and the
victory was celebrated half through the night with bonfires,
illuminations, fireworks, and all the other fashions of signifying public
joy, throughout Scotland and the north of England. The astrologers,
meteorologists, and prognosticators of Pall Mall and Fleet Street felt
that this time at least they had not rightly plumbed the depths of the
democratic seas.

Lord Beaconsfield was staying alone at that time in the historic halls of
Hatfield, their master being then abroad. There, hour by hour and day
after day, news of the long train of disasters reached him. From one in
confidential relations with him, and who saw much of him at this moment, I
have heard that the fallen minister, who had counted on a very different
result, now faced the ruin of his government, the end of his career, and
the overwhelming triumph of his antagonist, with an unclouded serenity and
a greatness of mind, worthy of a man who had known high fortunes and
filled to the full the measure of his gifts and his ambitions.

III

(M198) Some writers complained that the language of Midlothian was as
solemn as if the verdict of the country were about to settle the issues of
the battle of Armageddon. It was not exactly the battle of Armageddon, but
the election of 1880 was, at any rate, one of the most rem