Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-07-16
Lord BeacOnsfeld.

benjamin. Disraeli, Earl of Beacons
field, has probably occupied the off Sc
of Prime Minister of England for the
last time. English statesmen are IA
NOUS for living aud remaining in pub
lie life to an advanced age; and while
Lord Beaconstield retires at seventy
five, Lord Palmerston was Prime Min.
lister at eighty, and Lord Lyndhurst
was frequent aobater in the House of
Lords after he had passed his ninth de-
cade. But there are several reasons
for thinking that Lord Beaconsiield
probably will never again occupy O
high public post. His health has long
been feeble; his party is not likely for
some years to again return to power;
and, No doubt, he himself is tolerably
we'll satisfied with having attained
more than the most brilliant objects of
his youthful ambition.
We may therefore LOOK at his wonder
full pablo career az rounded and
completed Whole. And what a strange
anG romantic career 1t has been
Beginning life rs tho son OF jewish
book worm, and attempting to study
law, which he did not tnd to his taste,
Disracli thought to make his mark, at
first, as fashionable novelist and
dandy. Thus early in life. his ambi
ton was boundless; and he was gifted
with au audacity and boldness which
well served him through life. His
novels were brilliant success. He be.
came lion in fashionable society, and
no one excelled him in the aristocratic
drawing rooms where he made his APP
pearance, in the sparkle OF his con-
versation, or tho gaudiness of his
attire.
But this young Jew was by means
satisfied with the homage which his
novels won for him in the polite world
He already dreamed Of political hon.
ors and power; aud every one was
amazed when it became known that
this fop and scribbler was trying to OBJ
tain seat in Parliament.
After several unsuccessful attempts,
this wish was ut last gratitied. 1t Was
one step toward the lofty goal he had
set before himself. Soon after his
election, he WAS calling upon the then
Prime Minister, Viscount Melbourne,
who jokiugly asked him. Well, Mr..
Disraeli, what do you Intend to be-
Gomez "Pr!me Minister of England,
my lord !" was the nulacious reply
At tia. time, he seemed about tho l9st
man in England likely 90 reach that
envicl summit. HIS first speech in tho
House of Commons was miserable
failure. But one OF the great les ons
that lis life teaches, Is the reward
which seldom fails to await uniinching
perscverance.and dauntless,pluck. He
vas not cast down by failure; and in u
few years had become SO practised u
debater and 80 eloquent an orator that
his breakdown was quite forgotten.
Gradually, against formidable oh
stacles, not the least of which was the
prejudice of Englishmen against his
Jewish blood, lie arose in public est
mation, until he became ono OF tho
leaders OF tho great Tory party. He
found it weak and disorganized.
BY his bolduess, energy. and tact, he
brought it into order and disciplino;
a. and at last, in 1874, he saw his work Of
long wears, crowned with success, and
himself firmly seated il tko highest
position under tho Eaglish crown.
Whatever his faults and mistakes it
is certain that it was due to Benjamin
Dlsraeli's own qualities and talents,
that lie became Prime Minister, an
Earl, and Knight of the Garter,
though only the son Of . Jow author,
az. a. first himself but q novelist ard a
social butterfly. He had nothing to
aid him in his own genius and his own
ambition; with these he doughtily
fought lis way up till he had reached
The highest pinnacle attainable by an
English subject YOUTHS C0mpaatoa.