The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-01-09

me dcllNtif OF an elaborate PERIOD. burst
forth 90 the close i'm round after round
Of the heartiest applause.
AT this time he was one Of the tcrrOfs
Of the English aristOciacv. and had FREE
guent cause 90 complain of the manner
ia which he was treated by the news
papers devoted To the interests Of tho
ruling class. lie was assailed constantly
by Tie Times and other influential i9ur.
mails, and the worst of it was that, while
protesting 90 report his speeches YER
batim, they had q habit of dist0rting inn
pOrtant passages in such q way as TO make
aim say something very different from
what be had actually said. The speech
To- which ] refer was unsupported IN one
Of these papers, and the DRIFT of the quo
latiOn hayeCivon was entirely changed
by substituting working Classc5' for
nation, and thereby making il appear
that Mr.. Bright advocated not the gov
eminent of the nation by the nation, but
the government Of the nation bv the
working classes alone, which is very
different thing. OF course q great change
has been wrought in English public
opinion, as regards John Bright and the
measures be promoted, since that tima
and the fear which his name once in
spired in conservative circles has given
way toa feeling Ofunqualilied confidence
and admiration.
Mr.. Bright's speeches in parliament
always attracted a crowded gathering
to the house OF commons. When
ever it was known that he was 70
speak every seat was quickly taken.
Peers flOckcd into their special gallery
from the cildcd upper house. the ladies'
cage was crammcd, and royal princes
and princesscs filled the seats specially
reserved by the speaker for their accom-
mediation. ##4
His experience Of official life was very
slight. am. though hc was q member of
.hree governments, formed at different
times by Mr. Gladstone, he bore the yoke
Of office always unwiliingly and had a
positive dislike for the worry and respOn-
sibility which it involved. His name
viii not be remembered for efficient adj
ministTatiOn in any department of tho.
state, nor did hc at any time take an active
part in what may be termed the me-
'hanical par. of legislation. lie will DO
remembered not for measures carried
through parliament by himself, but FOR
he measures which he compelled success /
siye ministries 90 adopt and pass, such as /
lhe repeal of The corn laws, the extension I
# the franchise, the reform of the |
Jaw of land tenure and the establish /
ment of religious equality IN Ire
Land. 1t IS common saying IN /
London that no English politician
can be q success unless lie is caricatured.
Mr.. Bright has no cause 20 complain Of
neglect by his contemporaries on this
score, for at one time he Wis the most
man in England For some
unexplained reason Punch always repro
sented him wearing an eve glass. which
was a pure invention Of the artist, for
hr. Bright has never affected that i'm
stument of d0ubtfs utility. ] met him
one evening az dinner, M The house OF %
friend, when Mr. Tcnniel, the cartoonist
Of Punch, was Of the party. Somebody .
referred 10 the libclous eve glass. and
challenged Mr. Tennicl for an cxplana
ton. lie said he was not responsible,
that It had been in use before his time,
and that lac continued To Use il only out
Of respect for the traditions of the Office.
This was considered a very ingenious de-
tense, and the whole company was
amused by il, especially Mr. Bright him
,elf. But be undertook 10 give his own
and he remarked that he
Ras sure the original artist meant topay
aim a decided compliment. for as he had
ound nothing In the regular cast Of his
features which would lend itself 10 exag-
,eration he had invented the eye glass TO
,erI0un the samo function which a
rocked nose might discharge IN the case
# another. -.
Socially Mr.. Bright was one Of the
most popular men in London. Hh
face was welcome wherever hs
hose 10 so, and his quiet refined man
ers. added 10 the Good taste aud good {