London at the End of the Century:A Book of Gossip
a Beckett, Arthur William
1900
SOME PERSONAGES IN THE LOWER HOUSE.
Thanks to scores of reporters, we know the characteristics of all the speeches of most of our modern statesmen. The has taken the place of the marking the elevation of the popular statesman from the Commons | |
235 | to the Peers. Mr. Goschen, when he has no notes, and can speak without a paper held close to his pince nez, is also a favourable specimen of the talent of the House of Commons. Mr. Arthur Balfour has just a touch of the Hartington-Devonshire weariness. He is very much on the alert when seated in his place, but the moment he rises to address the House he seems just a trifle lackadaisical. This was particularly noticeable when he was engaged a few years ago in answering the questions of the Irish members. Mr. Chamberlain has a manner, but his smoothness is not unsuggestive of the calm of oil of vitriol. Mr. Labouchere smiles sweetly when he says the absurdest things; and Colonel Saunderson beams with good nature when he delivers his most pointed sallies. Nowadays we have no wags. For some time Sir Wilfrid Lawson was accepted as a wit, but I am afraid of late his humour has been considered as much out of date as the good things of the late Mr. Joseph Miller. Dr. Wallace before his lamented death was coming to the front as a humorist. His claim to be considered one of the House's was neither allowed nor disallowed. |