The state herald., 1897-09-24
THE GRAND OLD MAN.
Mr.. GLADSTONE IN DEBATE
Harry Furniss, the Carlcatarist of "Punch"
Tells How He Looked and What He nd
When Making Speech.

Harry Furniss, the artist of London
Punch, whose caricatures of Gladstone arc
50 well known In America, has written and
Illustrated paper for the September Cen
tnry on "Glimpses Of Gladstone" Mr.. Fur
Mss says:
make speech. His first movement upon
such an occasion was to arrange his careful.
y prepared notes upon the box in front Of
torical pomatum.pot, which contained. l be-
lieye, mixture of egg.tllp and honey-a re-
clpe Of Sir William Glarkcs-he would place
the side of the box. Then he would sit,
face, daee firmly set, and with his hawk.like eyes
nal to spring to his feet. Once up, he
seemed composed enough, playing with, the
notes st In front of him and arranging and re;
laying his hand upon the box, he would be-
gin slowly, latterly with husky voice.
When the graceful Introduction with which
would come an ominous tug at his wrist
bands followed by an easing of his collar
with one finger. step back, a flash from
those passionate eyes. and then-but let
others describe his speeches.
AZ an artist, accustomed perhaps to use
my eyes more than my ears. ! content my;
tralts-such, for instance, as that when the
great orator paused to consider ditiicu,t
point he was wont to scratch the top Of his
W
determined 10 drive an argument home TO his
listeners, he used TO emphasize II by bring
Ing down his Hinged hand upon the box with
tion evidence remains In the shape of many
tell-tale dentY in the boxes. I have examined
these evidences, and 1t was Interesting to
find that the energy Of the orator was much
greater when he was out Of office than when
he was In power, the box upon the opposi.
tion side being much more severely marked
than Its fellow In front of the government
bench, Notwithstanding the terrific thump
Ing to which that receptacle was subjected
during the memorable oration OF Thursday
Another habit peculiar to Mr. Gladstone
during debate was that Of turning around
ana addressing members behind him. Upon
one occasion. In 1850. he turned TO his
younger supporters and gave them this no
table advice: 81 stand here as a member OF
the House, where there are many who have
taken their seats for the first time upon
these benches and where there may he some
to whom possibly ] may avil myself Of the
privilege Of old age to offer n rccommenda-
tion. l would tell them Of my own intention
10 keep my counsel and reserve my own
freedom until see the occasion when there
may he n pr spect Of public benefit In On.
] VIII venture to recommend them TO do the
same"-lfodlng up his hands like an old
parliamentary prophet.
Upon great occasions In the House Mr..
Glndstones dress was very noticeable. He
was then spruce. In n black frock. coat, light
trousers. nnd wearing flower In his button
hole. rms generally inllcnted thnt great
speech was Imminent. Whenever there was
any excuse for wearing them, Mr.. Gladstone
had Partially for gray clothes, which
were not too fashlonnhly cut: and once I re
member that he caused some sensation by
appearing In the house wearing wedding
favor. Something had evidently tickled his
sense Of humor upon the occasion, for he
was "smilng all over" ms he came In; and
when he sat down by Sir william Harcourt,
TO whom he related the Joke. his mcrrlmcnl
seemed to Increase. Afterwards he repeated
tn TlaaN ats.sEl Il In and al Ia
speaker, finally quitting the house to tell II
anew outside.