into a united and powerful empire, considered that
Queen Victoria was the greatest statesman in Europe, and of the great
Beaconsfield he said: "Disraeli _is_ England."

Disraeli was a master of wit and phrase, and many of his best sayings
and definitions have become proverbial, _e.g._ "the hansom, the
'gondola' of London," "our young Queen and our old institutions,"
"critics, men who have failed," "books, the curse of the human race."

[Illustration: Sir Robert Peel, Lord Melbourne, Benjamin Disraeli
Photo W.A. Mansell & Co.]

The central figure of his time was the statesman-warrior, the great
Duke of Wellington, '_the_ Duke.' After the famous Marlborough,
England had not been able to boast of such a great commander. He was
the best known figure in London, and though he never courted
popularity or distinction, yet he served his Queen as Prime Minister
when desired. "The path of duty" was for him "the way to glory." In
1845 the greatest wish of his life was realized when the Queen and
her husband paid him a two days' visit at his residence,
Strathfieldsaye.

Alfred Tennyson's "Ode on the Death of the Duke of Wellington," in
1852, praises him as 'truth-teller' and 'truth-lover,' and mourns
for him:

Let the long, long procession go,
And let the sorrowing crowd about it grow,
And let the mournful, martial music blow;
The last great Englishman is low.

In striking contrast to the 'Iron Duke' was the man whom Disraeli
could never learn to like, Lord John Russell. Generally depicted in
the pages of _Punch_ as a pert, cocksure little fellow, 'little
Johnny,' the leader of the Whig party was a power as a leader. He
knew how to interpret the Queen's wishes in a manner agreeable to
herself, yet he did not hesitate, when he thought it advisable, to
speak quite freely in criticism of her actions.

His ancestors in the Bedford family had in olden days been advisers
of the Crown, and Lord John thus came of a good stock; he himself,
nevertheless, was always alert to prevent any encroachment upon the
growing powers and rights of the people.

He was a favourite of the Queen, and she gave him as a residence a
house and grounds in Richmond Park. He was a man of the world and
an agreeable talker, very well read, fond of quoting poetry, and
especially pleased if he could indulge in reminiscences in his own
circle of what his royal mistress had said at her last visit.

Finally, mention must be made of one who, th