His speech this evening was only a further illustration of his controlling desire to enjoy an ample and adequate revenge for past defeats; and, undoubtedly, Mr. Disraeli displayed a great deal of a certain kind of power.  He was witty, pungent, caustic, full of telling hits which repeatedly convulsed the House with laughter, and he showed singular dexterity in discovering and assailing the weak points in his adversary’s argument.  Still, it was a painful exhibition, bad in temper, tone, and manner.  It was too plainly the attempt of an unscrupulous partisan to damage a personal enemy, rather than the effort of a statesman to enlighten and convince the House and the nation.  It was unfair, uncandid, and logically weak.  Its only possible effect was to irritate the Liberals, without materially strengthening the position of the Conservatives.  When “Dizzy” had finished, the floor was claimed by Lord John Russell and Mr. Bright.  It was sufficiently evident that members, without distinction of party, desired to hear the last-named gentleman, for cries of “Bright,” “Bright,” came from all parts of the House.  The member for Birmingham is stout, bluff, and hearty, looking very much like a prosperous, well-dressed English yeoman.  He is acknowledged to be the best declaimer in the House.  Piquant, racy, and entertaining, he is always listened to with interest and pleasure; but somehow he labors under the prevalent suspicion of being insincere, and beyond a small circle of devoted admirers has no influence whatever in Parliament.

To the manifest discontent of the House, the Speaker decided that the Honorable Secretary for Foreign Affairs was entitled to the floor.  Lord John Russell deserves a more extended historical and personal notice than the legitimate limits of this article will allow.  But, as his recent elevation to the peerage has led the English press to give a review of his political antecedents, and as these articles have been copied quite generally into our own leading newspapers, it may be fairly presumed that most of my readers are familiar with the prominent incidents in his long and honorable public career.  As a speaker he is decidedly prosy, with a hesitating utterance, a monotonous voice, and an uninteresting manner.  Yet he is always heard with respectful attention by the House, in consideration of his valuable public services, his intrinsic good sense, and his unselfish patriotism.  On the question at issue, he took ground midway between Lord Palmerston and Mr. Gladstone.

It was now about two, A.M.  Since the commencement of the debate eighteen members had addressed the House.  At this point a motion prevailed to adjourn until noon of the same day.

On the reopening of the debate at that hour, Mr. Bright and a few other members gave their views upon the resolutions of the Premier, and the final vote was then taken with the result already indicated.

A LEGEND OF THE LAKE.