Did Disraeli mean it, or was it but an idle jest?
and what must a man be who could exercise his wit on such a subject?
Disraeli was at least as much in earnest as his audience.

The phrase answered its purpose.
It has lived and become historical when the decorous protests of professional divines have been forgotten with the breath which uttered them.

The note of scorn with which it rings has preserved it better than any affectation of pious horror, which indeed would have been out of place in the presence of such an assembly." I have taken the liberty of giving such emphasis as italics can confer to two brief passages in this brilliant description, because they express Froude's real opinion of Diocesan Conferences and those who frequented them.* Disraeli's audience applauded, partly in admiration of his wit, and partly because, they thought that he was amusing them at the expense of the latitudinarians they abhorred.
Froude's appreciation came from an opposite source.

He regarded Disraeli not as a flatterer, but as a busy mocker, laughing at the people thought he was laughing with them.

He made no attempt at a really critical estimate of the most baffling figure in English politics.