And the lessons to be derived are that House of Commons' eloquence should be easy, genial in temper, reserved in force--in short, that it should put things with the agreeable candour, and passionlessness want of exaggeration which characterise well-bred conversation.
[Sidenote: To the slaughter.] A foredoomed sheep could not have been brought more unwillingly to the slaughter than was Mr.Balfour to the debate on the Vote of Censure.

He had nothing new to say, and unfortunately he felt that as keenly as anybody else.

Every single topic with which he had to deal had been discussed already, until people were positively sick of them--in short, poor Mr.Balfour was in the position of having to serve up to the House a dish that had been boiled and grilled and stewed, and yet stewed again, until the gorge rose at it in revolt and disgust.

The late Chief Secretary has the susceptibility of all nervous temperaments.

The men are indeed few who have equal power with all kinds of audiences--with an audience that is friendly and that is hostile.