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THE GRAND OLD MAN. MR. GLADSTONE IN DEBATE Barry Furniss, the Caricaturist of “Paced” ‘Tells How He Looked and What He Did When Making a Speech. Harry Furniss, the ar London whose thresdstone tied a paper for the September Cen tre “Glimpses of Gladstone.” Mr. Fur Ind that be always to be make @ speech. His fist before anes] such an occasion was to arrange his careful. ¥.red notes the box in front of 3, taking his pocket the hi gh which we lieve, sip a pipe of Clarke's be Sir William lace it out of view on the iftal the side of the bett of the tale by x ing both hands upon his knees, with his firmly set, and with his hawk-like eyes Axed upon the speaker, waiting for the sig- | Seemed Composed cough playing with, ths , it srenngragates Seaee aaa ing forward and lay! his hand upon the box, he would be es wiy, latterly with a husky voice, then the ful introduction with which he his remarks was over, there would come an ominous tug at his wrist bands, followed by an easing of his collar with one finger, a step back, a flash from those passionate eyes, and then—but let others describe his speeches. As an artist, accustomed perhaps to use to Agee — — my ears, I eat = there noting down certain personal trait for instance, as that when the great orator paused to consider a difficult int he was wont to scratch the top of his jd with the wrist of his left hand. When determined to drive an remmnent home to his listeners, he used to ze it by bring ing down his ringed hand upon the box wit h tremendous bang, of which energetic ac tion evidence remains in the shape of many tell-tale dent in the boxes. I have examined evidences, and it was interesting to find that the energy of the orator was much for a he ighy office man who was in power, by the opposii tion side being much more enemy marked than its fellow in front of the government bench, notwithstanding the terrific thump ing to which that receptacle was subjected during the memorable oration of Thursday, April 8 1886. Another habit peculiar to Mr. Gladstone during debate was that of turning around and addressing members behind him. Upon one occasion, In 1889, he turned to his cousem supporters and gave them this no ible advice: “I stand here as a member of the House, where there are many who have taken their seats for the first time upon these benches, and where there may be some to whom possibly I may avil myself of the prior old age to offer a recommenda on. I would tell them of my own Intention to keep my counsel and reserve my own freedom until I see the occasion when there may be a prospect of public benefit In en deavoring to make a movement forward, and I will venture to recommend them to do the same —Holding up his hands like an old parliamentary prophet. Upon great occasions In the House Mr. Gladstone's dress was very noticeable. He was then spruce. In a black frock coat, light trousers, and wearing a flower in his button hole. This generally indicated that a great speech was imminent. Whenever there was excuse for wearing them, Mr. Gladstone had a vitality for gray clothes, which were not too fashionably cut; and once I re appearing In the house wearing a wedding and neVER a wedding favor. Something had evidently tickled his sense of humor upon the occasion, for he was “smiling all over,” as he came in; and when he sat down by Sir William Harcourt, to whom he related the joke, his merriment seemed to increase. Afterwards he repeated it to Mr. Chamberlain, and again to the speaker, finally quitting the house to tell it anew outside.
Newspaper Details
Chicago Broad Ax
Chicago, Illinois, US
Sat, Oct 23, 1897
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Winslow O.
USA 25 Jun 2025
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