Monday and Tuesday night in the Commons were mainly occupied
with stately ceremonial. On Monday, Mr. Gladstone moved a vote of thanks to the retiring Speaker, Sir Henry Brand, and spoke of his zeal and ability, his judgment and fairness, "his unremitting attention to the constantly increasing business," and his " uniform urbanity to Members
of the House." His "functions had been exercised in a period of difficulty unknown to past experience." The " Speaker is united with the House by ties so intimate and confidential" as to make his office unique ; and but for Sir Henry Brand's skill, tact, and understanding, the difficulties which environ it would have been greater still. " Every one of the words contained in the vote of thanks has, in our view, a meaning and a force pro- portioned to the growth of circumstances." Sir Stafford North- cote acknowledged how completely these words represented the feeling of the House, and added, with graceful cordiality, an expression of his own sense that the Speaker's " urbanity, as well as ability and strength of character," had materially helped to the maintenance of the high office which he had so well filled. Mr. Parnell objected to the vote with a hesitation which struck the whole House, on the ground that certain of the Speaker's official actions had helped to inflict grievous wrong on Ireland ; and then the Speaker with a lofty reference to his certainty that Mr. Parnell acted from his sense of duty, acknowledged with deep emotion the kindness of the House. His own conduct since he entered the House thirty-two years ago " had been guided by a constant and abiding faith in the House as an instrument of good govern- ment," and be was " unwilling to say farewell, for his heart was with the House to which he owed so much. I thank you heartily for the crowning act of this day in recognition of my services."
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