His speech was full of cleverness--of what the Americans call smartness, and it had all that point, personal and party, which sets your friends in a roar.

The Tories cheered him vociferously, and point after point of brilliant and effective invective pleased the House--always anxious with its jaded appetite for a sensation.

But when you had time to compare, it with that little speech delivered by Mr.Gladstone earlier in the evening--when you contrasted its fitful and gaudy brilliancy with the sober and broad wisdom of Mr.Gladstone's utterance--then, indeed, you were able to see what a gulf there is between the smart debater and the genuine statesman.
[Sidenote: A narrow shave.] At last the debate was over; and then came what was, perhaps, the most exciting and most momentous incident of the evening.

I have already spoken of the interest with which every division is regarded.

The interest in this particular division was fully justified when the numbers were told; for the Government majority had fallen to twenty-one.
At once there was a wild outburst of cheering from the Tory Benches.
Some wits ventured on the cry, "Resign! Resign!"-- altogether, the Tories had the best quarter of an hour they have enjoyed since that hideous afternoon before the Easter vacation, when, after a prolonged fight, the Old Man had to announce that he could not propose the second reading of the Bill until after Easter.