opponent in those days. Fawcett's erect form and manly demeanour and voice were familiar to the House, and I had the rare privilege of his personal acquaintance and friendship during my first sojourn in England. John Bright too, whose personal acquaintance I had also cultivated in years past, seldom appears in the House of Commons now.
The discussion on the Home Rule Bill went on night after night, and various rumours went the round of the clubs, (where I frequently went) regarding the probable result at the division. It was whispered at one time that Chamberlain knew what he was about, that he had his leader under his foot, and would trample on him in order to rise! Then came the rumour that it was all up with Chamberlain, and his game was lost,—that the "old Parliamentary Hand"—Gladstone had managed his case well and was sure of a majority of 20 at least at the division! After Chamberlain's great speech the rumour changed again, and Gladstone's best friends did not know whether he would have the majority in his side. And the Gladstonites were again in high spirits when Gladstone winded up the long discussion with his magnificent speech making the ancient roof of the House ring again with all his old power of voice and eloquence. The division followed, and Gladstone and his party lost.
Almost instantaneously preparations were made by both parties for the approaching election. Election scenes have been described a hundred times by the ablest English writers from Charles Dickens downwards,
