Part 29 (1/2)

[63] Gladstone, in his apologetic introductory speech, had declared that no one could regard the Bill as a Trojan horse, which the Government was introducing surrept.i.tiously within the citadel of the Const.i.tution. ”We cannot say:

”'Scandit fatalis machina muros Foeta armis.'”

(The fated engine climbs our walls, big with arms.)

Mr. Lowe retorted:

”That was not a very apt quotation; but there was a curious felicity about it which he [Mr. Gladstone] little dreamt of. The House remembers that, among other proofs of the degree in which public opinion is enlisted in the cause of Reform, is this--that this is now the fifth Reform Bill which has been brought in since 1851. Now, just attend to the sequel of the pa.s.sage quoted by the right honourable gentleman:

”'O Divum domus Ilium et inclyta bello Mcenia Dardanidum! Quater ipso in limine portae Sust.i.tit, atque utero sonitum quater arma dedere.'

(O Troy, house of G.o.ds and Dardanian city famous in war! four times in the very gateway it stood, and four times the clash of arms sounded in its womb.)

”But that is not all:

”'Instamus tarn en immemores, caecique furore, Et monstrum infelix sacrata sistimus arce.'

(Yet we, thoughtless and blind with enthusiasm, urged it on, and in our hallowed citadel stationed the ill-omened monster.)”

_Mr. Charles d.i.c.kens to Lady Russell_

GLASGOW, _April_ 17, 1866

MY DEAR LADY RUSSELL,--...In sending my kindest regards to Lord Russell, let me congratulate you on the culminating victory before him, and on the faith and constancy with which the country carries him in its great heart. I have never felt so certain of any public event as I have been from the first that the national honour would feel itself stung to the quick if he were in danger of being deserted....

Dear Lady Russell,

Ever faithfully yours,

CHARLES d.i.c.kENS

LONDON, _April_ 19, 1866

Political prospects not brightening. John and his Ministry will be in such an honourable position, whether they stand or fall, that no serious danger threatens the country if they fall. My only anxiety is lest John should be disappointed and depressed; and it was with a sense of relief of which he was little aware that I heard him say yesterday of his own accord, as he looked out of window at the bright suns.h.i.+ne, ”I shall not be very sorry--it's such fine weather to go out in.”

LONDON, _June_ 19, 1866

At 7.30 a note was brought to John from Mr. Gladstone. Government beaten by eleven. Happily Gladstone, though ambiguous in one sentence as to the importance of the vote, was not so in others--or at all events was understood to mean ”stand or fall.”

Cabinet at 2.30 resolved that John should write to the Queen to offer resignations. Queen meantime writes from Balmoral, foreseeing the defeat, that she will not accept the resignations.

Dearest John not depressed, though very sorry for this defeat of his hopes. He will stand well with the country, and that he feels.

The Queen could not understand the necessity of her Ministers' resignation.

The amendment upon which they had been defeated by so small a majority seemed to her a matter of small importance compared with events which made continuance in office desirable. For Bismarck had just declared war upon Austria, and the failure of Overend and Gurney had thrown the City into confusion. After a delay of more than a week, however, she was compelled to accept their resignations, which had been tendered as early as June 19th.

PEMBROKE LODGE, _June_ 28, 1866