It was the fashion with University intellect to despise Disraeli as a man with neither sweetness nor light; but he was famous, or at least notorious, and when he rose to speak there was a general curiosity.
He began in his usual affected manner, slowly and rather pompously, as if he had nothing to say beyond perfunctory platitudes.

The Oxford wits began to compare themselves favourably the dullness of Parliamentary orators; when first one sentence and then another startled them into attention.

They were told that the Church was not likely to be disestablished.

It would remain, but would remain subject to a Parliament which would not allow an imperium in imperio.

It must exert itself and reassert its authority, but within the limits which the law laid down.