The silver star., 1897-09-30
THE GRAND OLD MAN.
Mr.. GLADSTONE in DEBATE
Harry Furniss. the Caricsturist of .Puuch"
Tells How He Looked and What He Did
When Making = speech.

Bunch % whose ssrsaturss q eadstons S1a1e .9e
Illustrated a paper for the September Cen.
nqly uqqry on 'Glimpses of Gladstone Mr.. Fur
noticed that he always appeared tn be
very anxious and restless before rising to
make a speech. His first movement upon
him; him; then. taking from his pocket the his
eve. @xture e whis ana fSnfanea be-
clpe Of slr William Clarke she % Sp would place rs
the OUT sdn C1 " UfeW & on the edge OF the table by
p,aeing aae al both hands upon his knees with his
hxsa daee hrmly n Set and with his hawkike eyes
nal to spring to his feet Once m lie
seemed scene 4, composed enough playing with the
1es n frGnt t%am Of HIM and arrangng and re
laying his hand upon the box. he would be-
gin Vh, slowly. latterly with a husky voice.
he prefaced his remarks was over, there
hnmha hMEuia come an ominous tug at his wrist.
%S one Sssr BY sinn an Of bis collar
those passionate eyes, and then-but let
others describe his speeches.
AS an artist, accustomed perhaps to use
M. eyes more than my ears, / content my
self here with noting down certain personal
great orator paused to consider diiiicult
point ne was wont to scratch the top of his
head with the wrist of his left hand. When
determined to drive an argument home to his
istehers. ne used to emphasize 1t by bring
ing down his rlnged hand upon the box with
ton evidence remains In the shape of many
| tell-tale dents in the boxes. 1 have examined
these evidences and 1t was interesting to
nnd that the energy of the orator was much
greater when he was out of office than when
ne was In power. the box upon the opposi-
tion side being much more severely marked
than, Its fellow in front of the government
Dench, notwithstanding the terrific thump.
Ing to which that receptacle was subjected
during the memorable orati0n Of Thursday,
April 8 1886.
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 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 recommends
tion. would tell them of my own intention
70 Keep my counsel and reserve my own
freedom until see the occa sion when there
may he prospect of public benefit In en-
qeavoring to make movement forward. and
l VIII venture to recommend them to do the
same"-Hoding up his hands like an old
parliamentary prophet.
Upon great occasions In the House Mr..
Gladstone's dress was very noticeable. He
/ was then spruce. in black frock- coat light
| trousers. and wearing flower in his button
hole. This generally indicated that n great
speech was Imminent. Whenever there was
any excuse for wearing them. Mr.. Gladstone
had partinlity for gray clothes. which
were not too fashionably cut: and once re-
| appearing in the house wearing a wedding
| favor. Something had evidently tickcd his
sense OF humor. upon the occasion. for he
| when he sat down by Sir William Harcourt.
| to whom he related the joke. his merrlment
seemed to increase. Afterwards he repeated
| speayhr, finally quitting the house to tell 1t
anew outside.