Page:The life and letters of Sir John Henniker Heaton bt. (IA lifelettersofsi00port).pdf/51

 to the matter and move that the salary of the Secretary of State for War be reduced by £100.'

"One of the most eloquent yet least trustworthy of our politicians made a series of charges against a dull but straightforward Front Bench leader. The attack was skilfully arranged, under four heads, and left a very unpleasant feeling in the public mind. The old politician rose, and roughly but clearly struggled through and satisfactorily replied to three of the charges. Then he became confused. He looked over and over again through his papers, and turned them upside down. In desperation he turned to his audience and said: 'Now, in regard to the fourth charge, I know there is an answer to it, and a complete answer to it. I ask the House of Commons to believe me, although I cannot find the answer now.' The very sincerity of the speaker evoked the sympathy and goodwill of hon. Members, and they cheered and cheered again, to the utter discomfiture of the glib but unscrupulous opponent. It is not merely the words, but the stored-up reputation of an orator that tell. As Addison said, apologizing for his limited conversational powers: 'I have but ninepence in ready money, but I can draw for a thousand pounds.'

"The House of Commons is the fairest tribunal in the world and the quickest at measuring a man's capacity. A good story is told of its acumen. The successor of the great Sir Robert Peel, as member for Tamworth, came into the House radiant with the halo and glow of the great man who preceded him. The House immediately discovered wherein lay his exceptional abilities, and they put him on the wine and cigar committee.

"A speech that smells of the oil-lamp is quickly detected and even in some degree resented. The immemorial distrust of forensic ability still characterizes the House. Brougham tells us how a brilliant new member, got up as a squire, impressed the assembly