The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-02-26

ana the bitter hatred OF an influential sec
tion OF Parliament, that section led by
Dan'l O'Connel who denounced him as 3
miscrean. and wretch whose ''lfe is a living
lie'' and finally as the "heir .at-law of the
blasphemous thief who died impenitent on
the cross" Mr.. Disraeli has risen by force
of his splendid genius to the highest position
in the state. having been twice premier.
During the latter and his present term OF
Office this remarkable man has extended the
British Empire by vast acquisitions OF terri.
tory In Africa and 10 India, made millions
of British subjects and fenced them round
about with what he called a scientific from
tier" He has also added the title OF EN-
press to that of Queen of the United
Kingdom OF Great Britain and Ireland, or as
it is colloquially said in England, '.made an
empress" At the same time, he has pur-
sued his policy of Empire and Liberty, -
he claims that he has preserved the status
quo in Europe, and maintained for England,
peace with honor. So much for man Of
the people, for man of genius A man too
who, as Mr.. Bright has said, ''has not drop
of English blood in his veins' and who con-
sequentIy met un usual opposition, and had
to overcome extraordinary prejudice. He
has that which is better than blue blood
brains in his head piece.
And now after his extraordinary career,
his marvellous success, in his seventy six
year. he is not affected with the weakness
of age. but is vigorous with the strength Of
manhood, having seat in the House Of
Lords and possessing in a remarkable man
ner its confidence. There is only one other
man in England to whom the. destinies Of
the vast British Empire and the prospects
of Ireland are likely to be entrusted with
better results, namely: Mr.. Gladstone, Lord
Beaconsfleld's long rival and political
opponent. OF Mr.. Gladstone it may be truly
said that he is Mr.. Disraeli superior every
way; more brilliant in oratory, more sterling
IN integrity, more sincere in bis convictions,
more statesmanlke in his views, more terribly
earnest in all he says and does. To him
the fortunes of the British Empire might be.
and in our opinion, ought to be, entrusted by
that people who will never cease to celebrate
his pure and immortal fame.
1t was often said during our residence In
England, that the Conservative party with
OUT making any professions or promises, car.
led through more measures OF reform than
the so-caIled Liberals. There was some COL
or Of reason for this remark, the fact being
that the Liberal party ever showed the way
of reform to the Tories. This was the case
as to Catholic emancipation; the corn laws,
and with the reform act OF 1867. For many
years previously. the Liberals preached in
vain that the admission of the working class
es to the franchise was required by the state
OF society, and that it would strengthen the
constitution. When the Tories came into
power, theywho had always bitterly opposed
the idea. faced about and passed the act ex-
tendingshe suffrage. Thus the Liberal party.
with such leaders as Gladstone and Bright, has
hon, fhnv MI 90 rnfo t.vh fhG4
Tory ministers have from time to time sought
TO gain the popular applause, and reap the
fruits of victory by passing the best conceiv-
ed and most cherished liberal measures. But
to return from this DEPRESSION.
Beyond the school house stands the Parish
church, surrounded by generations OF tomb
stones. One Of the first pointed out to US
was that known as "Byron's Tomb" from
the fact that it was his favorite resting place.
He thus refers 10 it in the childish recollec-
lions:
oft when Cypress d with sad, foreboding gloom
I sat reclined upon our favorite tomb"
1t is said that he would spend hours here
engaged in thought, chewing the cud of sweet
and bitter fancies, brooding lonely over
the first stirring of passion and genius in his
soul, and occasionally, perhaps, INDUCING in
Ihoso UriSut AoretAouSuGs VI iame, uuuci IHo
of which, when little more than fiji
teen years of age he wrote these remarkable
lines: efEaf4. st.t5 II.
'My epitaph shall be my name alone; IS igs
If that with honor fail to crown my clay,
Oh may no other fame my deeds repay;
That, only that shall single out the spot,
By that Remembered or by that forgot"
Secured in the walls of the church is an
ancient brass. 1t was taken from the floor of
The church, where it was half concealed by
pew. 1t is engraved with grotesque figure
intended to represent the founder of the
school, and inscribed with highly eulogs-
tic epitaph,i in what then passed for English,
but which is now hardly ineligible.
ITO be continued i