The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-27

was called sour Brummagem Lion, which
being translated would mean an asa in a
lions skin.
But there was no ass in the Brummagem
lions skin. He proved tactful and re-
sourceful enough to win the good opinion
OF the Prince and Princess and to keep the
admiration OF his followers at home, which
was not an easy thing to do.
So Joe Chamberlain went to Parliament
in 1879 with reputation, When he took
his seat on the Liberal side below the gang
way, near Parnell, the House knew he was
there. He has been there. though not in
the same seat, ever since, and he has never
for one instant allowed himself to be over
looked or forgotten. j
The attitude of the House, toward him
at the beginning was one of interest and
curiosity. Everybody wanted to see what
"Brummagem joe was like
There was a considerable expectation
that he might appear with a cap on his
head and kerchief about his throat,
bullying and scowling and ready to break
the furniture, like some other Radicals.
Instead Of that they saw q slender man,
looking much younger than his age, erect,
alert, well dressed-he has always had a
weakness for good clothes prompt,
speech and bearing
why" exclaimed one Of his surprised
colleagues. "he looks like ladies' Doctor"
His first speech was delivered within a
few weeks after his advent to the House.
1t made hit. Sir Walter Barttelot, an
old-fashioned Tory. was one Of the first
to congratulate the young Radical
"Mr. Oh amberlain. said he. "if you
always address the House with the same
quietness and the same intelligence, the
House will always be ready TO listen 10
you
And the House has always been ready to
listen to him. His Ia voice to wake the
sleepers, Of whom there are many in Par
lament
1t is a tall, slender, commanding figure
that rises before you now. older, more
authoritative, more responsible than it was
on that first day in 1879, but still spare and
nervous, the face still pale, keen, intel
lectual, the manner more polished, more
| cynical--yet it's the same Joe Chamberlain.
| an individuality too strong to be merged
or dimmed,
His dress is faultless. The black frock
coat fits to T, the high collar and the
scarf add to it's distinction, the orchid in
| the buttonhole has come to be the badge
| Of the man-he's never without it.
| The monocle--his other badge-fits into
place and is obedient. When Mr.. Cham
berlain has something to read in the course
of a speech, az he often has, he drops the
glass and brings the paper close to his
| face.
Then, as he goes on with his remarks.
his long right arm and his long forefnger
are often pointing and driving his argu-
ment home to those at whom 1t is directed.
His left arm hangs at his side or steals
around behind his back.
His voice is clear. vibrant, passionate
sometimes when the occasion demands
And when he Is tainted or interrupted
there il no faltering or wavering about
the retort.
Mr. Chamberlain is good listener-too
good some of his enemies think. II the
speaker on the other side is worth while
| chamberlain watches him like a hawk
and is as ready as bird Of prey to pounce
upon him.
He doesn't wear his hat in the House,
after the fashion OF so many Of his as
sociates, who like to pull their hat brims
down over their eyes and lounge through
the session. He leaves his hat in his locker
and comes in cleared for action, ammuni.
ton handy for every gun, all trim and
shipshape. He's as neat and orderly in
his business as in his personal habits
Consistency has never been either q
level or a bugbear to Joe Chamberlain
If he wanted to change his mind he changed
it and didn't think it necessary to tell
anybody the reason.
As for his enemies, he never gives them
time to rake up the past against him
there's always too much doing In the i'm
mediate present when Chamberlain hold
the centre Of the stage, A man like thai
doesn't have to be consistent
When he first sat in the House Parnel
and the Irish we're his friends and he was
commonly understood to be in favor OIL
Home Rule. Later on he elaborated q
modified Home Rule scheme Of his own.
In the acrimonious days after Chamber
lain had parted from Gladstone on the Ir:sf
question and had foated of as captain OF tht
Liberal Unionist raft, Parnell was speaking
one night to convict him Of treachery.
Judas" called some one onthe Irish
benches.
"Wbat's that?" demanded Chamberlain
facing around.
He called you Judas" said Biggar will
| grin.
T. p. O'Connor had to apologize to tn
House that time. but the word he had uset
stuck, and five years later ii was fun
across the hall of Parliament at Mr.. Cham
berlain again And on top OF it came
fist fight and riot and altogether about tn
most disgraceful scene in the recent histor.
of British legislation.
Chamberlain brushes inconsistencies ou
of his way and lives to see the Judas erie
silenced with applause. What does he care
II has sometimes seemed that Chamber
lain was fond of taking advantage OF laz
men, not mean advantage, just the fai
chance of war. He's a fighting man ant
doesn't miss trick.
The first lazy man he met up with wa
Lord Harrington, now Duke Of Devonshire
who by all the tokens OF ancestry, favor
natural ability and circumstance. was GU
out for succession to the Liberal Leadership