, 1880-05-09
DIGRAE1,T.

"Therc goes old Dizzy" satd workngman as
Dcaconsfield ehuttled along q London street.
Yes, there he goes, out Of Office. and he is IS
years old. But it is stated TINT before Parla-
ment oonvenes he will address meeting of
the Conservatives of both Houses, and after
wards assume the leadership OF the Opposition.
Benjamin Disraoi Is ono Of the most remark-
able men OF the present century. Born at its
very dawn he exerted an influence upon the
literature Of Its first quarter, and the opening
OF its lust quarter IS powerfully impressed BY
the splenor Of his genius for politics. 1t is not
often that d career lasts fifty years. That of
Caesar was about forty, Of Napoleon r. less than
thirty, and Alexander died at the age Of 81,
But wellington filled the public eye for nearly
sixty years. Tho publication OF "Viyian Gr,,y.''
in l&s5 introduced Disr0eii to the most dis
tinguished society In England. III the drawing
room of Lady Blesslngton he "elbowod Dukes
descended from the Conquest The book was
brilliant satire On society and politics. It I'M
mcdately became the rage. ran through many
editions, and was supplemented by q key In
which It's characters were identified as the
celebrated wits, politicians. and great ladies' Of
the time. Lord Brougham ia laughed Mt as .hir.
Foaming Fudge" Lord Eden sattrtzed rs " Lord
Past Century," and Mr.. Canning mercilesly rid
fculed as mr.. Charlatan Cas-" Did Disraeli
wish merely. to make himself known to tho
world? II so, ho succeeded to his hearts con-
tent. He became famous, notorious, the lion of
the hour, and his audactty amply sustained him,
1t was then that he became prodignl Of witty
epigfams, and from wasting them On society he
came finally to the more weighty business OF
htnging them at the heads Of opponents in Parlia-
ment with terrible effect. His ambition for
political distinction developed early Bulwer
offered him the opportunity to stand for a bor-
ouRh and he eagerly seiznd it. Lord Melbourne
said to hlm: "Well, Mr.. DIsrael!, what Is your
idea in entering Parliament r. "To be Prime
Minister Of England. my Lord responded tho
son OF the old Jewish bookworm. His opponent
was brother OF Earl Gray. then Premier,
But nothing daunted him. He denounced both
great parties,-loftlly scorning the Wings, and
characteTizlng the Tories as "in a state of
Ignorant stupefact1on." He was defeated, and
this first defeat was followed by three more
defeats. 1t WAS not until the fifth attempt that
he wAs returned. Upon one occasion, being
asked sneeringly, "Upou what ground do you
stand here, sirT' he retorted with whitening
sarcasm, "On my head, sir!' It was during his
fourth canvass that O'Connell referred to him
as the lincai descendant OF the fmpeniteut
thief on the Cross" Pending these contests
young Dlsraeil continued to publish books, which.
though often "insolent in their smartness.'' |
we're always "clever." In 1857, at the age OF a.,
be entered Parliament. His maiden specch. |
which he hastened to deliver, was a complete |
failure. He .was laughed, sneered, and howled |
down. But he managed, above the din OF the |
hoot1ng aud cat-callfng, to warn and dery |
The House In this memorable language: II have /
begun several times many thinga,. aud have /
succeeded at last. Ay. sir; aud, though sit down