" SPEAK UP."
[TO THE EDITOR. OF THE " SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—Your reference in the article on "Lord 'Westbury's Wit," to the " speak up" incident, reminds me of an occasion in which the late Bishop Wilberforce was placed in a similar position. I was attending a meeting of the S.P.G. at St. James's Hall, at which the Bishop was announced to speak, and observed in the front of the side gallery, just above the plat- form, a fanatical young clergyman of the extreme Low Church party, who evidently was present with the intention of creating a disturbance. The Bishop, when called upon by the chair- man, rose to speak. He had not, however, uttered a dozen words before the unmannerly clergyman called out, " Speak up !" The Bishop took no notice, but continued his speech, which was perfectly audible to the whole assembly. The annoyance was repeated; still no notice was taken ; but when, for the third time, in a still louder and more offensive tone, " Speak up !" sounded down from the gallery, the Bishop stopped, and turning round in the direction whence the voice proceeded, calmly remarked,—" I will do my best to speak down that person who has just interrupted the meeting." The effect was admirable and instantaneous. Cheers burst from every part of the hall, while " that person," utterly abashed and con- founded, beat a rapid and ignominious retreat, and the Bishop continued his speech without further interruption.—I am, Sir, &c., Hughenden, Surbiton, October 30th. JAMES F. COBB.
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