Mr. Gladstone's speech was as great in its oratorical power
as any he has delivered for years. His attack on Mr. Chamber- lain for providing something to say for himself whichever way the wind of popular feeling may blow, was an unduly severe, but extremely vigorous one. His illustration from history of the suc- cesses attained by the concession of Home-rule, was rhetorically very effective, though we think that in none of the cases alleged is the analogy to our own case at all clear enough to carry much weight ; but nobody can ignore the beauty and earnest- ness of the peroration, in which Mr. Gladstone rather attenuated than emphasised the charge which he had made against his opponents as representing "the spirit and power of class ;" for he cordially admitted their conscientiousness, and earnestly lamented his separation from them.
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