Sir Edward Clarke ventured an interruption; he was crushed in a sentence.

It was an admirable specimen of destructive criticism, and it hugely and palpably delighted Mr.
Gladstone.
[Sidenote: Mr.Asquith.] Mr.Asquith had intended to speak on April 14th, evening, but the portentous and prolix Courtney had shut him out, and he had to wait till the following evening.

The change was, perhaps, desirable, for Mr.
Asquith had thus the opportunity of addressing the House when it was fresh, vital, and impressionable.

In these long debates the evenings usually became intolerably dull and oppressive.

Though Mr.Asquith was an untried man when he went into office, in two speeches he succeeded in placing himself in the very front rank of the debaters and politicians in the House.