Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-04-19
DEATH OF LORD REAcONsF1ELp.

AoddO OAoA oSAAs AAO IOSOlNcu pIlNdl6
education, and at an early age was
apprenticed to a solicitor with the
view Of qualifying him for situation
in a government Office which his
father had secured for him. Having
no taste for the drudgery of a lawyer s
Office, he soon began to contribute for
a tory journal, the Representative,
which had only short life. In 1927
appeared his first novel, "Vivian
Gray" which at once and ever after
ward gave him considerable reputa-
tion. This was rapidly succeeded by
other brilliant works of fiction, in
cluding "The Young Duke" "Con-
tarina Fleming" etc. lie also wrote
more solid works: "Iskander, Vim
dication Of the British Constitution, "
and "The Revolutionary Epic" In
his early life he was noted for his
affectation Of manners, style in
dress and foppishness. At that pc
riod he gave little promise of the fu'
ture statesman and diplomat. After a
visit to Italy, Greece, Turkey and
Syria, his symFathies appear to have
inclined to radicalism in politics, and
in 1882 he presented himself to the
electors of Wycomb, but was defeated,
and was successfully defeated three
times after that. 1t was not until
1887 that he was elected to tho house
ofcommons. lie was then thirty-two
years old. His maiden speech, de-
livered in high flown style and his
foppish appearance, excited derisive
laughter. He became greatly discon-
certed and sat down, remarking pro-
pheticalIy: 81 shall sit down now,
but the time will come when you will
hear me-" In 1898 he married a
widow; after that he studied the style
of successful parliamentary orators,
and made few speeches. In 1849 lie
began to attract attention, and soon
afterward became the recognized
leader of the young English party.
After entering parliament Disraeli
wrote several novels: "Conningsby,"
(1844); "Sybil," (l845) and "Tancred,"
(l847). In 1852 he was offered
the post of chancellor of the
exchequer, which he accepted. This
was the first time that novelist had
risen to such a high position by sheer
force of genius and character. His
second budget of 1853 was not accept
able to the house Of commons, the
government was outvoted and the
Derby cabinet ceased to exist. Dis
raeli again assumed the leadership Of
the opposition, from which he was
again summoned to fill the position of
chancellor of the exchequer in the
second administration of Lord Derby.
In 1859 he introduced measure of
parliamentary reform which, be-
ing thrown out, was followed by
the resignation of the government.
The liberals remained in power for
seven years and Mr.. Disraeli, as the
leader of the opposition, displayed
talents, persistency and brilliancy
which won the admiration even of his
opponents. Lord Derby returned to
power in 1866, and with him came
Disraeli to his former position. In
February, 1868, Disroeli succeeded
Lord Derby as prime minister, but in
the face of hostile majority he re.
signed the following December. On
this occasion Mrs. Disraeli, in ac-
acknowledgement of her husbands SER
vices, was raised to the peerage
al Viscountess Beaconsfeld. She
died in 1872. His famous novel,
"Lothair, appeared in 1870, yet many
claimed that it was not an improve
ment on his earlier works, He is not
the only famous novelist who has been
subject to similar criticism. The read
ing public can never be made to be-
lieve that Dickens EdwinDreod as far
as it went, was as entertaining as the
"Pickwick Papers" In 1873 the popu-
larity of Gladstone subsided and at the
election Of 1874 Disraeli was returned
to power as prime minister. In 1877
he took his seat in the upper house as
Earl of Beaconsfeld. BE was still
premier, and was the guiding spirit Of
his cabinet during the critical years
1877-78. When he returned from the
Berlin congress with Lord Salisbury,
they we're reccivedin Trafalgar square
in London with the widest demonstra-
tions of joy and admiration. He
brought, as he said, peace with
honor" But public favor is tickle,
even in England. Last year the
government was once more
outvoted; Disraeli resigned, and
Gladstone came back into
power. In short time appeared Lord
Beaconsfeld's last novel, "Endymion,
which was largely sought on both sides
of the Atlantic, but which fell short
of popular expectation. 1t was the
.n,,.ot;o, of tha bour and hut for an