The Sun.
London, England, 1870-08-12 00:00:00

GENTLEMEN'S CLOTHING CONTINUED :

EVENING EDITION.

Summer Tourist Summer Dress
Suits. Suits. Trousers. Trousers. LONDON, FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 1870.
245. 245. 10s. 6d. 15s. •
28s. 28s. 12s. 6d. 16s. 6d. A nobler reply was never uttered by a Pr.
_ ,
365. 365. 14s. 18s. Minister of England than the one given in the Ho
- - of Commons in answer to a speech from the I
40s. 425. 15s. 6d. 21s.
member for Waterford, by Mr. GLADSTONE,
455. 48s. 17s. 6d. 245._ Wednesday afternoon, immediately before the p
555. 525. 20s. 265. rogation of Parliament. Apparently for the sim
Also at Also at Also at Also at purpose of delivering himself of two or three frivol
other prices. other prices. other prices. other prices jokes, at an epoch in the history of Europe of
ORDERS by post are attended to with care and gravest and of the most tragic character, Mr. BER/
punctuality, and the easy and accurate system of self- USBORNE,whO usually, it should be said to his cre
measure introduced by E. MOSES and SON enables them to speaks as manfully as vivaciously, expressed him
guarantee a faultless fit,

A nobler reply was never uttered by a Primc
Minister of England than the one given in the House
of Commons in answer to a speech from the hon.
member for Waterford, by Mr. GLADSTONE, on
Wednesday afternoon, immediately before the pro-
rogation of Parliament. Apparently for the simple
purpose of delivering himself of two or three frivolous
jokes, at an epoch in the history of Europe of the
gravest and of the most tragic character, Mr. BEItNAL
OsBORNE,who usually, it should be said to his credit,
speaks as manfully as vivaciously, expressed himself
in certain words, articulated deliberately certain
sentiments and opinions, wholly unworthy of passing
the lips of any Englishman. Among other things he
had the hardihood (we had almost put it—the
efliontery) to say in the House of Commons, "If
Belgium, or her seaboard, were in the hands of a
hostile power, the liberties and position of this country
would not be worth twenty-four hours' purchase." It
was with especial reference to this astounding assertion
that Mr. GLADSTONE, in his capacity as the First
Minister of the Crown, during the course of his noble-
heatted, high-spirited, and in many respects masterly
reply, exclaimed in tones vibrating with patriotic
indignation, "I protest against that with all my
heart and soul. I protest against that statement."
At which words from the lips of the PRIME
MINISTER the House cheered. " A state-
ment more exaggerated— a statement more ex-
travagant," added the PREMIER, "I never heard
fall from the lips of any member of this House."
Whereupon the member for Waterford, as if in excul-
paticn of himself, or, at any rate, as if to relieve him-
self from the whole responsibility of the assertion,
called out " NAPOLEON said it." Here it
was that Mr. GLADSTONE uttered the instant
reply and rebuke to which we have already
alluded. " Whatever," remarked the PREMIER
" my honourable friend's correct acquaintance with
the correspondence of NAPOLEON may induce him
to say, I may be permitted to observe that I am not
prepared to take my impression of the character, of
the strength, of the dignity, of the duty, or of the
danger of this country even from NAPOLEON," words
that elicited ringing cheers from every member of
the House of Commons there present, with the
exception of Mr. OSBORNE, who for the moment
must have felt, or if he did not ought to have felt,
dumbfoundered.

In answering the member for Waterford's derisive
remarks in regard to what he called "secret diplo-
macy "—in reference obviously not to the notorious
Draught Treaty, written, as we are gravely told, at
the dictation of M. BISMARCK, but at any
rate undeniably in the handwriting of M.
BENEDETTI, but in reference to the recently
negotiated Treaty newly guaranteeing the neutrality
and integrity and independence of Belgium, a copy
of which treaty had only just been brought to the
knowledge of the House by the First Lord of the
Treasury, Mr. GLADSTONE was equally feli-
citous. Here, however, he spoke, as best
became him- at the moment, in the language not
of indignation, but simply of irony—of an irony
so playful as to be little more than badinage or per-
siflage. "My hon. friend," he said, "seems to be
much enamoured of public diplomacy, and he no
doubt remembers the circumstance that, three weeks
ago, the Due DE GRAMONT went to the Legislative
Body of France and made his announcement as to
the course which France would pursue." (Here there
were cheers and laughter.) " That was an example
of public diplomacy, and of the results to
which it might lead, which no doubt has
greatly encouraged my hon. friend." At which
there was renewed laughter. "A hir, a very pal-
pable bit," Seldom, indeed, has Mr. BERNAL
OSBORNE spoken to less, seldom has Mr. GLADSTONE
spoken to more advantage than in Wednesday's
sitting of the House of Commons immediately
before the prorogation. The former contented him-
self with a few fribbling jests, such as his deprecating
any operations of war on a homoeopathic
principle, or as his declaration that the pens
of our diplomatists are not remarkable as
arms of precision. Mr. GLADSTONE, on
the other hand, in a reply couched, as we have
seen, in the language, now of stern rebuke, now of
airy derision, spoke throughout as well -became him
in his capacity as Prime Minister, and a Prime
Minister, too, who is heart and soul an Englishman.

TOPICS OF THE DAY.