The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-23
BENJAMIN DISRAELI.
TIL, British Premier---PersOnal appearance,
Percentage and Parliamentary Career.
The Israelite Exodus from Spain
Under the Inquisition.
HIS TILT WITH O'CONNELL.
chancellor of the Exchequer Premier,
Leader of the Opposition and
Forming a Ministry.

Forming a Ministry.
The political aspect of affairs IN England has for
some months past made 1t more than probable
that the reins Of power would soon fall from the
hands OF Mr.. Gladstone. In the hope OF averting
the Ministerial catastrophe he advised the Queen
10 dissolve Parliament. His appeal to the people
has been unsuccessful, and by command OF the
Crown, IN accordance with the will OF the natlon,
HIS great political antagonist Benjamin Disraeli
is at this moment engaged In constructing Cabi-
net for Great Britain. The battle having been
fought and lost by MI Gladstone, 1t is under these
that Mr. Disraeli again triumpnantly
realizes his prophesy that the House OF Commons
would hear him. for he Will this time return not
only to ONCE, but accede to ministerial power.
DIsRAELTs NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF HIS LIFE.
This great conservative leader in whose hands
have been reposed all the material interests OF the
Church and aristocracy, is anything but the type
of an Engishman. He is o tall and rather broad
shOuldered man though otherwise not OF stout
build-wirh slight stoop OF very sphinx-hke
head, which is surrounded by dark and el-like
looks; sallow complexion and q dreamy express
sion; long and snaven upper lip. closely shaver
whiskers, and an imperial His walk is more like
that OF dancing master than Of a genuine John
Bull, his toes evidently doing much more work
than his heels. hearty, joyous laugh from
him would seem to be inpossible; but
there Is frequently very sardonlc
smile upon the face OF this master
Of irony whatever may be his religious views
and they appear by some OF his novels to be sim
guar mixture of Christianity and Judaism-he is
the nrst OF the Hebrew race who has attained the
proud position OF Premier OF England, and he is
equally proud OF the favored people from whom he
traces Distinguished lineage Although in his
sixty-ninth year. Disraeu shows no signs OF
senility, and could wear out many much younger
in hours Of oratorica effort or IN watching the
interests OF the party he presides over, even from
the foremost opposition bench OF the House Of
Commons.
The exact place OF Mr.. Disraelrs birth is involved
IN some obscurty although it IS certain that he
urst saw the light in the English metropolis. His
llneal ancestors were turned out OF spain when
IorQuemada and the luquisit1on swept that
country Of Jews and Moors, at which time they
found refuge on the more hospitable shores OF the
Venetian Republic The first migration OF any
part OF the family into England was In HAS, when
the ex-Premiers grandfather came from Venice
and established himself In trade in that country.
de married a lady OF his own race ana faith, and
their only child, Isaac, who was born at Ended
n 1766, first made the name of Disraeli re-
aowned in the paths OF literature. Despsing the
returned to England at the age Of fifteen, an
ardent disciple Of Rousseau. and lived afterwards
alone with his books, q proiessed enemy OF COM
merce q vocation, and on terms with all the
literary men OF the day, leaving the 'Curosities OF
Literature" as the permanent memorial OF his
study and application. Although himself so de-
voted to q lettered hfe he resisted his eldest son
Benjamin's uncomfortable literary aspirations,
and placed him in An attorneys once in the Old
Dewry, but was At length induced to release him
rom the irksome letters Of the legal profession.
rhe younger Disrsel now reyelled in the produc-
aon OF fugitive pieces and in preparations for
ife Of fame Tor some years. until, at the age Of
swenty, he burst upon the world IN his
FIRST AND BRILLIANT NOVEL
Of English society, "vivian Grey" which was sal
by the critics Of the period to have been read by
everybody west OF Portland place. Satirizing all
the most notable celebrities OF the day. this novel,
which he himself IN advanced years described as
las hot ana hurried sketch as ever was penned"
raised him once to the nrst rank OF fashionable
noveiists, aud, as the known author Of this most
popular work OF the period, he formed the personal
intimacy of the Countess OF Blessington and the
rest Of the high "ton'' Of English society. He is
thus described at this period in a work called
sNovels and NOvelsts :-"His rlnglets OF silken
black hair. his flashing eyes, his enemi-
black velvet, lined with white satin his white Kid
gloves, with his wrists surrounded bya long,
hanging fringe OF black silk, and his ivory cane,
of which the handle inlad with gold. was relieved
by more black silk in the shape Of tassel. Every
one laughed at him for being affected; but the
women declared that his was an anectatton OF the
best style, and they felt his personal vanity was
nattering homage to shelr most notorious weak
ness. Such was the perumed prerequisite who
forced his way into the saloons of peeresses. Men
held him in light esteem; but observant women,
who, q rule, more discerning judges OF young
men than themselves. prophesied tn he would
1--we to be great man."
TRAVEL TO THE ORIENT.
Having previously visited France, Italy ana
Germany, Disraeh now made an extended tour Of
Eastern travel; and, among other adventures and
perils, nearly risked his life In attempt to pene
srate the Mosque OF Omar at Jerusalem.
A CANDIDATE FOR PARLIAMENT.
During his absence he forwarded to mis- pub
fishers the copy OF "The Young Duke" and Con
tarfni Fleming" In 1881, during enc last stage OF
the struggle for Parliamentary reform, he returned
to England and then made his first assay to get
into the House of Commons as candidate for the
borough OF Wycombe, In BuckInghamshire. He was
at that time backed by Hume and O'Connel
and went in for the radical votes, although his Do
ticai creed was Of sngularly indeHnit and am
Diguous complexion. He was defeated, but not
long Afterwards issued an address to the electors
OF Marylebone, TO whom he commended himself as
man who had already fought the battles OF the
people, and as an advocate OF trlennia Parlaments
and the ballot In other respects he was last
splitting from the radical party and IN 1885 be ap
peared at Taunton as . supporter OF Sir Robert
Peel and Untrue blue tory colors. but ne was again
and while inReniousU defending his
apostacy he made fierce
ONSLAUGHT UrON O'cONNELL,
whom he sugmattzed a. an ''ncendiary," a
traitor" and liar In action and wordr an out
burst which cost him the following retaliation -
THE IRISH REPLY.
IN one OF his regular Conclusion Hall addresses.
UC0nnell SAID -
There Is haoit OF undertaking that great and
oppressed nation, the Jews. They are cruelty per. /