Henslow, a shrewd man and a politician of some years’ standing, was one of the first to read the signs of the times, and rightly to appreciate them.  He had just returned from a lengthened visit to the United States, and what he had seen there he kept at first very much to himself.  But at a small committee meeting held when his election was still a matter of doubt, he unbosomed himself at last to some effect.

“The vote we want,” he said, “is the vote of those people who are losing their bread, and who see ruin and starvation coming in upon them.  I mean the middle-class manufacturers and the operatives who are dependent upon them.  I tell you where I think that as a nation we are going wrong.  We fixed once upon a great principle, and we nailed it to our mast—­for all time.  That is a mistake.  Absolute Free Trade, such as is at present our national policy, was a magnificent principle in the days of Cobden—­but the times have changed.  We must change with them.  That is where the typical Englishman fails.  It is a matter of temperament.  He is too slow to adapt himself to changing circumstances.”

There was a moment’s silence.  These were ominous words.  Every one felt that they were not lightly spoken.  Henslow had more behind.  A prominent manufacturer, Harrison by name, interposed from his place.

“You are aware, Mr. Henslow,” he said, “that many a man has lost an assured seat for a more guarded speech than that.  For generations even a whisper of the sort has been counted heresy—­especially from our party.”

“Maybe,” Henslow answered, “but I am reminded of this, Mr. Harrison.  The pioneers of every great social change have suffered throughout the whole of history, but the man who has selected the proper moment and struck hard, has never failed to win his reward.  Now I am no novice in politics, and I am going to make a prophecy.  Years ago the two political parties were readjusted on the Irish question.  Every election which was fought was simply on these lines—­it was upon the principle of Home Rule for Ireland, and the severance of that country from the United Kingdom, or the maintenance of the Union.  Good!  Now, in more recent times, the South African war and the realization of what our Colonies could do for us has introduced a new factor.  Those who have believed in a doctrine of expansion have called themselves ‘Imperialists,’ and those who have favoured less wide-reaching ideals, and perhaps more attention to home matters, have been christened ‘Little Englanders.’  Many elections have been fought out on these lines, if not between two men absolutely at variance with one another on this question, still on the matter of degree.  Now, I am going to prophesy.  I say that the next readjustment of Parties, and the time is not far ahead, will be on the tariff question, and I believe that the controversy on this matter, when once the country has laid hold of it, will be the greatest political event of this century.  Listen, gentlemen.  I do not speak without having given this question careful and anxious thought, and I tell you that I can see it coming.”