Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-02-22

who for some time mistake the taste OF their au-
lience, or at all events do not skillully cohtrve
to manage that difficult and fastidlous assembly
-. House Of Commons. Il
In 1912 he spoke against the appointment oi
Colonel M'Mahon as Secretary to the Prince re
gent, and was answered by-Mr. Croker. on
the death OF Mr.. Percival he was the hrst TO cali
the attention Of the House to the formation Oh an
efficient and vigorous administration, IN when II
was intended that his political friends should take
very important share. One speech made dur
inc this year was worthy of his after reputation:
il was in support of motion for the repeal OF
those foolish and fuitless acts in council against
which he had been heard in 1908 at the bar OF
the House.
This speech was shortly succeeded 0y 0thefs
of extraordinary power. But it was III 1918, on
the orders of the day being read for the House 10
90 into Committee ON $ the Education OF the
Poor Bill" that MIR Brougham, whose labors on
this subject we shall hereafter notice, extorted
praise frum Lord Castlereagh, carried the House
entirely with him, and made an impression upon
the country which his subsequent eloquence has
not effaced. From this time his position for
which he had been struggling for some years. was
fixed; his powers Of expression, his indeiaigabi-
hty of research, as well as that stern and daring
tone Of mind which procures enemies at first, but
which. sO0ner or later. gives public man The
ascendancy over those with whom he is placed in
contact. were acknowledged and felt.
Lord Brougham's first great parliamentary et-
fort on the subject Of education, made the 2lst OF
May, 1916. was for a select committee OF the
House of Commons to inquire into the state of
the education of the lower orders of the people in
London, Westminster, and South @ark.
In 1920, year memorable to him in many re.
spects, Mr.. Brougham brought forward his cele-
brated plan of education; and here, though the
object in view was SO desirable, such were the
difficulties in the way Of its accomp shment, that
almost every class Of men was,opposed to the
only practical means of carrying it into effect.
There was not, in all probability. that gigantic
difference between Mr.. Brougham in 1910, and
Lord Bronsham in 1881, which can justify the
different reputation of the same individual at the
two different periods; neither, perhaps, is there
now that difference between Lord Brough am and
Mr.. MacauIey, which public opinion recognizes.
The rise from disputed fame to undisputed pre-
cedency. is, generally speaking, CT a slow and
gradual progress.
The extent of the study or preparation which
Lord Brougham gives to his speeches, must be
matter Of conjecture, and is therefore frequently
one Of dispute. We have heard of anecdotes in
proof of their perfect approximation, while we
think we remember letter from Lord Brougham
himself. in which the necessity not only OF pre-.
meditating. but of verbally composing those parts
Of speech which are meant TO be most effective,
Is absolutely insisted upon.
Is anv one las ii was once asked Of another)b bet
ter acquainted with our colonies or Provinces
with our allies and enemes.-with the rights and
privileges of the former,-with the dispositions
and conditions OF the latter.-with the interests
of them all, relative to the empire, with The in
teress Of the empire relative to themf There
is also in his character that which 1t Is liDpOssi
Bile to approach him without observing, that
bold, daring, and assuming tone,-whlch makes
it more difficult for unack Owledged merit to sue
coed, but which gives to reputed talent an arbi-
trary sway. despolic authority over all with
whom it comes in contact. which Lord BrOugham,
more perhaps than any other man since his great
predecessor ord Chatham, holds in public de-
bate over his rivals, in more familiar intercourse
over his associates. Hence the curious anecdotes
daily in circulation, confused, and, for the most
part, false-as they are narrAted,-havIng. how
ever. not unfrequeHtly foundation in ;and,
even when pure fabrications, being strongly in
dicative of the character of the man. With this
character is closely connected that scaldng iro-
ny, that fierce facility towards satire, by which
friend is sometimes made foe, when it might be
better policy that an enemy should be concillat-
ed: and yet place Lord Brousham in the midst
ofhis family,-let hi" be surrounded by those
who worship his superiorty,-and the SUPERIOR
ty can hardly be said TO exist Fond and affec.
,ionate to those of his blood, -never forgettu of
an old friend-gay. gentle, amiable. the life and
soul of every society in which he finds himself
at homsSEas ready to play the sch"o-boy' and
oil nf nj az ia a
of marbles iu,lj pocket, or was going to get up
at five O'Clock the mex, morning for fox chase,
he possesses 10 an eminent degree that conjunc-
ton Of moral energy. with animal spirits, which
startled the traveller when Montesquieu leaped
over style, snd which led Machiavel to wrest-
Iirg match.
The Boys of the civ and adjoining districts
probably not less than fifteen hundred in number
intent on celebrating the centennial annlversa-
~, assembled at the Merchants Coffee House on
Thursday evening. The place not being large
enough to hold them, they marched away. with
out proceeding to business-paraded through Sc.