The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-11-03
GLADSTONE IN DEBATE.
Some of the Peculiaritics of Englands
Grand Old Man.

Some of the Peculiaritics of Englands
Grand Old Man.
Harry Furniss, the artist of Lon
don Punch, whose caricatures of
Gladstone are so we'll known in
America, has written and illus
trated a paper for The Century on
"Giimpses of Gladstone. +" Mr..
Furniss says:
noticed that he always appeared
to be very anxious and restless be-
fore rising to make speech. His
first movement upon such an occa-
sion was to arrange his carefully
prepared notes upon the box in front
of him; then, taking from his pocket
the historical pomatum pot, which
contained, I believe, a mixture of
egg flip and honey, recipe of Sir
William Clarke's, he would place it
out of view on the edge of the table
by the side of the box. Then he
would sit, placing both hands upon
his knees, with his face firmly set
and with his hawklike eyes fixed
upon the speaker, waiting for the
signal to spring to his feet.
Once up, he seemed composed
enough, playing with the notes in
front Of him and arranging and re-
arranging them; then, leaning for
ward and laying his hand upon the
box, he would begin slowly, latterly
with husky voice. When the
graceful introduction with which he
prefaced his remarks was over,
there would come an ominous tug
at his wristbands, followed by an
easing of his collar with one finger,
a step back, a flash from those pas
sionate eyes, and then-but let 9th
ers describe his speeches.
AS an artist, accustomed perhaps
to use my eyes more than my ears.
I content myself here with laying
down certain personal traits, such,
for instance, as that when the great
orator paused to consider difficult
point he 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 lis
teners, he used to emphasize it by
bringing down his ringed hand upon
the box with a tremendous bang, Of
which energetic action evidence re-
mains in the shape of many telltale
dents in the boxes. I have examin-
ed these evidences, and it was inter-
esting 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-
ton side being much more severely
marked than its fellow in front Of
the government bench, notwith-
standing the terrific humping to
which that receptacle was subjected
during the memorable oration of
Thursday, April s, 1886.
Another habit peculiar to Mr..
Gladstone during debate was that
of turning around and addressing
members behind him. Upon one
occasion, in 1889, he turned to his
younger supporters and gave them
this notable advice: II stand here
as member of the house, where
there are many who have taken
their seats for the first time upon
these benches and where there may
be some to whom possibly l may
avail myself of the privilege of old
age to offer a recommendation. l
would tell them of my own inten-
ton to keep my counsel and reserve
my own freedom until I see the oc-
casion when there may be a pros
pect of public benefit in endeavoring
to make a movement forward, and
I will venture to recommend them
to do the same,'' holding up his
hands like an old parliamentary
prophet.
Upon great occasions in the house
Nh. Gladstones dress was very no.
ticeable. He was then spruce in a
black frock coat, light trousers and
wearing a flower in his buttonhole.
This generally indicated that a great
speech was imminent. Whenever
there was any excuse for wearing
them, Mr.. Gladstone had a partial
ity for gray clothes, which were not
too fashionably cut, and once I re-
member that he caused some sensa-
ton by appearing in the house
wearing a wedding favor. Some
thing had evidently tickled his sense
of humor upon the occasion, for he
L 1,1 II,