The Springfield herald., 1897-09-24
THE GRAND OLD MAN.
MR.. GLADSTONE IN DEBATE
Harry Furniss, tho CarIcntnrist of punch"
Tells How He Looked and What He Did
When Making u Speech.

Harry Furniss the artist of London
SO % we'll Known TSf in Amerca, has itGe written and md
illustrated paper for the September Cen
tury on "Gllmpses of Gladstone" Mr.. Fur
Mss says:
noticed that he always appeared to be
very anxious and restless before rising to
mike speech His first movement upon
such an occasion was to arrange his careful,
~ prepared notes upon the box In front of
him; then. taking from his pocket the his
ltevc, mixture OF egg Flip and honcy-a re
clpe of Sir William Ciarkes-hc would place
II out of view on the edge of the table by
the side OF the box. Then he would sli,
face, firmly set, and wits, his hawk like eyes
nal to spring 10 his feet. once up, he
seemed composed enough playing with the
arranging them. Then, leaning forward and
laying his hand upon the box, he would be-
EP hcs sgTSy Say 5t wilG h%sky whs yGGs
he prefaccd his remarks was over there
would come an omlnous tug ut his wrist
with one finger, ii step back. II flash from
those passionate eyes, and thcn-but let
others describe his speeches.
AS an artist, accustomed perhaps to use
my eyes more than my ears ] content my
self here with noting down certain personal
great orator paused 10 consider II difficult
point he wns wont to scratch the top OF his
M 'he to yrs MEist or ms G mH nme s
listeners, he used to emphasize 1t by bring
Ing down his rlnged hand upon the box with
u tremendous bang, of which energetic ac-
tion evidence remains In the shape of many
tell-tnle dents In the boxes, ! have examined
these evidences. and il 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,,
tlon side being much more severely marked
than Its fellow In front Of the government
bench, Notwithstanding the terrific ilump,
Ing to which that receptacle was subjected
during the memorable Grafton of Thursday
April 8, 1856.
Another habit peculiar to Mr.. Gladstone
during debate was that OF turning around
and addressing members behind him. unon
one occasion, In 1889, he turned TO his
younger supporters and gave them this no
table advice: 81 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 he some
to whom possibly | may avl myself Of the
privilege OF old age To offer Il rccommendn
tion ! would tell them of my own intention
to keep my counsel and reserve my own
freedom until see the occasion when there
may be n pr spcct of public benefit In en-
denyoring to make n movement forward, and
same"-Holdlng up his hands like an old
parliamentary prophet.
Upon great occasions In thc House MIR.
was then spruce. in Il black frock- k-cout, light
trousers and wearing flower In his button
hole. This generally indicated that a great
speech was imminent Whenever there was
had partinlty for gray clothes, which
We're not too fnshionably cut: and once re.
member that he caused some sensation by
appearing In the house wearing wedding
favor. Something had evidently t'ckled his
sense of humor upon The occasion, for he
was 'smiling all over as he came, In and
to whom he related the Joke, Ills mcrrimcn
seemed To Increase. Afterwards he rcpcnie!
II to Mr.. Chamberlain. and again to The
speaker, finally quitting the house to tell 1t
outside,