New-York tribune., 1908-08-22
a Brilliant Journalist on Gladstone
and DisrdeH.

~r-,te-. Mr.. Lucy could hardly make other than
or entertaining book on his chosen subject
o. that subject he speaks as Lord Rosebery has
+ols Ms as an expert. He has been Parlis-
-,sntarv reporter for many years. and the keen
,,..-est which he has taken in his work is ap-
ner.ut on every vivid page. His descriptions
:. men and manners are as picturesque as his
"reminiscences Of the dramatic episodes OF past
,.ss,ous. He has the true journalists gift for
conveying in brief the spirit Of scene and event
He has noted the humorous aspects of his theme
s,s has not been blind the pathos that lies
- s,ssnpointed hopes and the waning Of poiiti
cal careers.
gladstone was the first Prime Minister with
hon Mr Lucy's labors brought him into close
association He pays tribute to the mans true
greatness and deftIy sketches his peculiarities of
.s-,nerauent and manner as revealed in the
House Sometimes. it is recorded Gladstone
vrould evInce uncomfortable irritation in listen
,-r 10 conversational debate He could barely
restrain himself from Ieaping 10 his feet and
.u7p-ving the vials of his wrath upon the mem
her who had heated them. The moment he
stood st the table he resumed command Of him
self and in fawless language. almost without
gestures demolished his adversary" But the
orator was not always calm IN the moment of
delivery "Gymnastic exercises Mr.. Lucy calls
N. gestures with which, when occasion served.
the orator accompanied his speech: Sometimes
With both hands raised rigid above his head
often with left elbow leaning the table and
-igh- hand with closed fist shaken at the head
of some unofending country gentleman on the
hack benches opposite: anon standing half
step back from the table. with the left hand
hanging at his side and the right uplifted SO
thst he might with thumbnail lightly touch the
shining crown OF his head he trempled his way
through the arguments OF his adversary as AT
elephant fn an hour Of aggTava<ion RACES through
a Jungle In respect Of originality
multiplicity and vehemence OF gesture, Glad
stone, as in some other things, beat the record
CT human achievement" He carefully prepared
his great speeches but this wasted labor.
for as Mr. Lucy tells US. some Of the most pow
erful and effective ones OF his career were de-
hvsred on the spur of the moment Ordinarily.
we are reminded, dignity was the note of Glad
stones manner Odd as his usual guise was,
he vas stately and impressive figure What
vas that g1ise is thus described by the author:
He was by No means studious about the style or
rnode-ntty Of his clothes. He cherished a srsS a
The summer soistice was entered upon. a genera
tion OF budding statesmen grew up with that suit
fne o1s Of the Midlothian caunpagns when he
q Euest Dalmeny, he daily wore en- ancient
Han and Japhet might have worn when they
nsfe-faI called I believe vfclna- Il was IN vogue.
To3oTa 9E o's sys %s a robabi the only spec
left IL the last quarter Of the nne!eenth Ger
native majesty OF Gladstone's presence
Eabtually careless Of what ne wore. 50 that II
looked after his appearance special held-nights
epoch-akfag speeches. he vas dressed al in his
hest generally with flower in his coat, which
suffered much in his wrestling with prejudice and
a 5ssk olae % si1ef eDon8fD on Bu9Ps the an
Of m VIII z
schooIboys, was distracted by difficulty with the
II was spiral in shape and little tall. that
as the orator, in fine frenzy turned TO survey the
touched his cheek, He thought it was dy. and and
accident led to fndecorous but subdued laughter.
AS long as he sat in the House he was the
most observed of men As he listened 10 the
speech Of another. Members looked not at the
speaker, but at the great man who might per
haps BE dragged into the debate That his
place remains empty is the assertion Of Mr..
Lucy: With his departure the House Of Com
mons suffered loss OF note Of dignity. col
oring Of lofty character which remains ir
reparable."
OF the tact, shrewdness and sardonic wit of
DisraeH our author has much to say That per-
sonage knew how to appeal TO the vanity Of
men whose support he sought, and never became
so absorbed in g great question that he forgot
personal hold on the House was remaTka ble
Mr. Lucy points out that it is easier 10 contrast
DisraeH with predecessors in Office than to
find resemblances, he being Of all men in the
world least like Gladstone: History never
brought into nearer or stranger juxtaposition
eminent men men so absolutely opposed TO
each other in ways of thought and manner OF
speech Gladstone was intense earnest, thor
oggh; DisraeI was Indifferent polite, super
6c.al. Gladstone, when Chancellor of the Ex-
cneQuer would as readily have placed q penny
on the Income Tax have made a joke Dis
raeI with an equally light heart, did either as
chance befell- AS makers Of speeches it is a
not insignificant thing to note that, whilst you
frequently heard the verdict pronounced that
Gladstone had made a great speech, you never
heard that adjective in connection with Dis
raelis addresses His speeches were clever,
never great. Perhaps in general way the two
adiectiyes will describe the two men" Why
was not Disraeli's career Of unbroken tri-
unph2 According Mr.. Lucy It was because
there is in the world an awkward prejuclce 1or
facts ''As il was, he often had the better OF
facts: but at best they hampered him Thus
when he had 10 make a ministerial statement
involving reference to q number of facts, 1t
affected his spirits and depressed his manner
On such occasions he was accustomed 70 assume
peculiar attitude and 10 affect q particular
tone His manner was solemn. almost fune-
real" his tone had in it something OF the
quality OF the passing bell" When dealing
with details was not q question this Premier
vas at his best:
AS phrase maker. q man who could with -.s a
extent lame, an adversary for lie, ne had no
sseme5 fei-rsG and was rather funny than tragic.
But his polished shafts OF sarcasm MS Ies4thereo