Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-02-02
A BRILLIANT Top.
The Youthful DisraeIi, Elegant
and Eloquent.
AN INTELLECTUAL EXQUISITE.

ri. Airs and 0raoes, His Frills and
Lace. and His Dazzling oratory In
nj. Early Political Battles-A Pen
picture Of His Remarkable Face.
BENJAMIN Disraeli's career In practi-
cal politics began with series of re-
verses that might have discouraged a
less persistent fighter. Five times the
Youthful novelist and versatile bud
ding statesman attempted to break
into parliament before he succeeded in
winning an election, going down to de-
feat three times at Wycombe and once
at Taunton.
In william Flayvelle Monypenny's
"Iife of Benjamin Disraeli" the au-
thor declares that tales are still told in
Wycombe of Disraelfs famous first
speech from the porticO Of the Red
Lion:
"The youthful orator was now at the
height of his dandyism, and his 'curls
and rufies' played no small part in
the election. Standing on the top of
the porch beside the figure of the lion,
with his pale face set off by masses Of
LET black hair and his person plente-
ously adorned with lace and cambria,
he must have seemed to the spectators
better fitted for his role of fashionable
novelist than for that of strenuous pol
itician. Great. then, was their sur
prise when this 'popinjay,' as a hostile
newspaper called him. began to pour
forth a torrent Of eloquence with ire
mendous energy Of action and in
voice that carried far along the High
street He had an instinct for the dra-
matte effects which hold the attention
Of the mob. When the poll is declared
shall be there he exclaimed. accord
ing to a Wycombe tradition. pointing
to the head Of the lion. and my oppo-
nent will be there pointing to the
tail. BY the admission even Of the OPP
posite party the speech was COM
plete success. and his popularity with
the crowd was thenceforth assured"
As to the young orators appearance
ut Taunton. Mr.. Monypenny gathers
these comments Of an eyewitness from
an almost forgotten book of that time:
"Never In my life had l been SO
struck by a face as l was by that of
Disraeli. 1t was lividly pale. and from
beneath two finely arched eyebrows
blazed out a pair Of intensely black
eyes. l never have seen such orbs in
LoFo cRvH
His physiognomy was strictly Jewish.
Over broad, high forehead were ring
let's Of coal black. glossy hair, which.
combed away from his right temple,
fell In luxuriant clusters or punches
over his left cheek and ear. which 1t
entirely concealed from view.
''There was sort of half smile, half
sneer playing about his beautifully
formed mouth. the upper lip Of which
was curved as we see 1t In the por-
traits of Byron. He was very SLOWLY
attired In dark bottle green frock
coat, a waistcoat of the most extrava-
CANT pattern. the front Of which was
almost covered with glittering chains,
and in fancy pattern pantaloons. he
wore plain black stock, but no collar
was visible. Altogether he was the
most intellectual la0king exquisite
had ever seen
HE commenced in d lisping, lacka
daisical tone Of voice. He minced bis
phrases in apparently the most affect
ed manner and while he was speaking
placed his hands in all imaginable pc
sitions, not because he felt awkward
and did not know. like BOBBY In {
drawing room. where to put them. bu
ing to the best advantage the glitter
ing rings which decked his white ant
taper fingers. Now he would place hi
thumbs in the armholes of his waist
coat and spread out his fingers on 1T
flashing surface: then one set of digit
would be released and he would leal
affeetedly on the table, supporting him
self with his right hand: anon h
would push aside the enfls from hi
forehead
But as he proceeded all traces o
danaFism and affeetation were lost
With a rapidity of utteranee perfect.
astonishing he referred to past event
and INDUCED in antieipations Of III
future Tho Why's were. Of course
the objects of his unsparing satire
and his eloquent dannneitians Of theI
We're. appla8ded 10 The echo In all b
said he proved himself TO be the Fl
ished orator Dyery period was rount
ell with 44% nh AMI