Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 32.djvu/183

 Judah P. Benjamin. 171

stranded in London, all from his own bounty. He had a most kindly heart for all the men who wore the gray from 1861 to 1865. I well remember his stout figure, pleasant face, curly gray locks and his laughing eyes; a most delightful talker, a brilliant conversation- alist, ever ready and willing to entertain.

The vignettes on several issues of the Confederate States' bank notes fairly represent Mr. Benjamin's handsome features.

I once requested his opinion of Gladstone and D' Israeli, not as orators, but simply from a general intellectual point of view, and that comparatively. His answer was brief, positive and conserva- tive, and, as nearly as I can recall, it ran in this wise: " I regard Mr. Gladstone as the strongest and soundest man intellectually. His ideals are nobler, higher. He is the greater statesman, with greater depth and breadth. His versatility as a scholar is mar- velous; his capacity for persistent and tireless work wonderful. He is wholesouled and wholehearted in his undertakings. He always convinces you that his impulses are the purest and truest. He is ever in dead earnest in his many efforts along every line of honest, human endeavor.

" Mr. D' Israeli is more of a politician and well up in all the sinu- ous subtlety of statecraft a very talented man, ever ready to use and adapt all his resources in any emergency. He is a very bril- liant and captivating leader of men; the young men of his party are devoted to him, and delight in fondly calling him 'Dizzy.' At times he poses as a seeming ripe scholar even of very lavish erudi- tion. He often tries to impress his hearers with the honesty of his convictions; yet many of his most famous and grandest public utter- ances lack sincerity. He is entirely different and opposite in mind, matter and method from Mr. Gladstone in fact, the two men are so differently endowed, so variously equipped intellectually, it is difficult, and it may be unfair, to compare them by any ordinary standard of either general or special excellence."

The first time I called on Mr. Benjamin I presented several let- ters of introduction from prominent ex-Confederates who knew him in the old bellum days. He kindly received me in his pleasant, Denial way, and, after a few moments chat, as I was about taking leave, inquired if there was anything he could do for me. I re- lember I wished to attend Parliament the next day. I knew it re- quired a member's card for admission. I stated my wish. He touched a bell for his office boy and directed him to step over to

[r. Watson's office and request him to call in. In a few minutes a