Lord Randolph had the misfortune of having prepared a speech of considerable length--going into the dead past, forgotten things, and found himself--almost for the first time in his life--incapable of holding the attention of the House of Commons.

Then the division followed, with 47 of a majority--and loud ringing cheers came from the friends of the Government--and especially from the Irish benches--represented in the division by every single member of the party, with the exception of one, absent on sick leave..