And the House--so quick, with all its passion, and fractiousness, and meannesses, at grasping the significance of a great and solemn moment--marked its sense of the scene by a stillness that was almost audible--a hush that spoke aloud.
[Sidenote: And yet another.] There was just one other incident in this marvellous little speech which must be noted.

I have remarked the ofttimes the voice of Mr.Gladstone was so low, that it was with difficulty one could hear him.

The reason is curious, and is revealed in a little gesture that has only come in recent years, and that has a melancholy interest.

Often now, when he is speaking, Mr.Gladstone puts his hand to his right ear, as men do who are making a laborious effort to catch and concentrate sound.

The cause of this is that Mr.Gladstone's hearing has become defective, and he has to adopt this little stratagem to make his own voice audible to himself.
You should see the Old Man with his hand to his ear, with the look of gentle anxiety on his face, to understand all this little gesture conveys; and how it exalts your sense of the mighty courage of this great Old Man, who is able to rise thus superior to all obstacles, to all foes, to all weaknesses of the flesh, all devices of the enemy.
[Sidenote: Mr.Balfour.] Mr.Balfour, I have said more than once, does not display his talents best in Opposition.