The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-09-22
MISCELLANY.
Gladstone in Debate,

Harry Furniss, the artist of London
Punch, whose caricatures of Gladstone
are go well known in America, has
written and illustrated paper for the
Septe mber Century on "Glimpses of
Gladstone" Mr.. Furniss says:
| noticed that he always appeared to
be very anxious and restless before ris-
ing TO make speech, His first move
ment upon such an occasion was to ar
range his carefully prepared notes upon
the box in front of him; then, taking
from his pocket the historical pom alum
pot, which contained, believe, a mix
ture of egg flip and honey-a recipe of
Sir William Cla1ke's-he would place il
out OF view on the edge CT the table bv
the side of the box. Then he would
sit, placing beth 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 rearrsnging
them. Then, leaning forward and Law
ing 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 omin-
Gus tug at his wristbands, followed by
an easing of his collar with one finger,
a step back, flash from those passion
ate eyes, and then-but let others de-
scribe his speeches.
AS an artist, accustomed perhaps to
use my eyes more than my ears, con-
tent myself here with noting down GER
tQin npranna1 troito-o,,nh -.
stance, as that when the great orator
was wont to scratch the top of his
head with the wrist of his left
hand. When determined te drive as
argument home toshis listeners, he used
to emphasize it by bringing down his
ringed hand upon the box with tre-
mendous bang, of " hich energetic action
evidel ce rem aims in the shape of many
tell-tale dents in the boxes, have ex-
amined these evide noes, and it was in
teresting to find that the energy Of the
oraror was much greater, when he was
out of Office than when he was in pow
er, the box upon the Opposition side
being much more severely marked than
its felloy in front of the government
bench, Notwithstanding the terrific
humping to which that receptacle
was subjected during the memorable
Grafton of Thursday, April s, 1886.
Another habit peculiar 10 Mr.. Glad
stone during debate was that of turning
around and addressing members be-
hind him. Upon one occasion, in
1889, he turned to his younger support
ers and gave them this notable 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 be
some TO whom possibly 1 may avail
myself of the privilege of old age to
offer recommendation. 1 would tell
them of my own intention 10 keep my
counsel and reserve my own freedom
until l see the occasion when there
may be prospect of public benefit in
endeavoring to make a movement for
ward, and will venture to recommend
them 10 do the same" -holding up
his hands like an old parliamentary
prophet.
Upon great occasions in the House,
Mr. Gladstone's dress was very notice.
able. He was then spruce, in black
frock coat, light trousers, and wearing
flower in his button-ho.e. This gem
orally indicated that great speech was
imminent. Whenever there was any
excuse for wearing them, Mr.. Gladstone
had partially for gray clothes, which
were not too fashionably cut; and once
l remember that he caused some sensa-
ton by appearing in the House wearing
wtdding-favor Something had evil
IDENTITY tickled his sense of humor upon
the occasion, for he was "smiling all
over" as he came in; and when he sat
down by Sir William Harcourt, to
whom he related the joke, his merri-
ment seemed to increase. Afterwards
he repeated it to Mr.. Chamberlain, and
again to the speaker, finally quitting
the House to tell it anew outside.