There was just one other incident in this marvellous little speech which must be noted.  I have remarked the ofttimes the voice of Mr. Gladstone was so low, that it was with difficulty one could hear him.  The reason is curious, and is revealed in a little gesture that has only come in recent years, and that has a melancholy interest.  Often now, when he is speaking, Mr. Gladstone puts his hand to his right ear, as men do who are making a laborious effort to catch and concentrate sound.  The cause of this is that Mr. Gladstone’s hearing has become defective, and he has to adopt this little stratagem to make his own voice audible to himself.  You should see the Old Man with his hand to his ear, with the look of gentle anxiety on his face, to understand all this little gesture conveys; and how it exalts your sense of the mighty courage of this great Old Man, who is able to rise thus superior to all obstacles, to all foes, to all weaknesses of the flesh, all devices of the enemy.

[Sidenote:  Mr. Balfour.]

Mr. Balfour, I have said more than once, does not display his talents best in Opposition.  In his desire to be effective, he strains a not very strong voice until, it sounds almost like a shriek.  I do not wish to be unfair to Mr. Balfour.  There is, as I have often said in these columns, a certain distinction in all he does.  I often think he is wanting in that consideration and reverence for the mighty old gladiator whom it is his duty to oppose; but for all this I make allowance, as it is his duty to oppose Mr. Gladstone, and in doing that, he may sometimes appear unintentionally irreverent.  But the fact is, Mr. Balfour is thin, narrow, and does not get at the reality of things.  Many people say he is very inferior to Mr. Chamberlain; but most assuredly I do not in the least agree with this opinion.  To me the difference between the two men is the difference between a scholar and a counter-jumper—­I mean a counter-jumper of the Senate, and not of the shop.  But though that is my opinion, I cannot refrain from saying that Mr. Balfour contrasts very unfavourably with Mr. Gladstone in this struggle of giants.

[Sidenote:  An ugly moment.]

It was during the speech of Mr. Balfour that a little incident took place, the full significance of which would probably not be grasped by the non-Parliamentarian.  Mr. Balfour was arguing that it was impossible to properly discuss the amendment of Lord Wolmer until the House knew whether or not the Irish members were going to be retained in the Imperial Parliament.  I do not know whether it was because there was something provocative in the manner in which Mr. Balfour referred to this subject, but it had the effect of rousing the once vulnerable, but now admirably controlled temper, which has played such a part in Mr. Gladstone’s career.  Rising with a certain deepened pallor, and with that feverish rush in his voice which those who watch him know so well he said that the Ministry