The Late Earl Beaconsfield.—Proposed National Memorial.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1402, 28 June 1881, Page 3

The Late Earl Beaconsfield.—Proposed National Memorial.

In the House of Lords on May 9, Lord Granville moved the Address to the Queen in furtherance of the above object, in a speech which nvetted the attention of the House and elicited sympathetic manifestations of approval. He expressed his opinion that very few arguments were required in favour of the proposal, and pointed out that it did not involve political considerations. He thought it impossible for anyone to deny that Lord Be.ico'isfield had played a great part, and lie said he believed no one would deny his splendid gifts or the force of Ins character. He "himself heard that fiist speech, famous for its failure which Lord Beaconsfield delivered in the House of Commons. He believed that if that speech had been made when the House of Commons knew Mr Disraeli hotter, it would have been received Mith sympathetic cheers; but the closing sentence showed the unconquerable confidence ot the man. As a proof that this force of character remained with Lord Beaconsfield to the end of his life, Lord Qranville mentioned that just before his speech on the Afghan question in the picsent session, Lord Beaconsfield swallowed one dru" 1 and inhaled another in quantities nicely calculated to free him fiom buffering during the time required for his speech. He said that Lord Beaconsfield was himself \ery fiee from prejudices, while he was tolerant of them in others ; and he referred to the power he possessed of appealing to the imagination, not only of his country men, but of foieigners, a power which was not extinguished even by death. ITaxing refeired to Lord Beacoiisfield's good natuie and to his appreciation of kindness sho'vn him by others, Loid Gunville concluded by s.aying that of the smoothness with which the portals of that assembly rolled back befoie distinguished men without reference to caste or to blood, of the Avelcome which was given to such, of the distinguished place which was assigned to them in tliir lordships' ranks, he knew of no brighter or more bnlhant example than that of Lord Beaconsfield. Lord Salisbury, in seconding the motion, expressed his concurrence in the giaccful and eloquent language of Lord Granvdle. He referred to the deep interest with which the fate of Loid Beaconsiield was followed, not only by all classes of people in this country, but by men of the gieatest influence and power in other countries ; and lie remarked that when the .struggle was over, and the career was closed, no doubt was left as tn the verdict of the country on Lord Beaconsfield'.s character. Lord Salisbury told their lordships in feeling terms that his close political connection with Lord Beaconsfield h,id been comparatively recent, but had lasted through difficult timps, and that the pationcb gentleness, and unswerving loyalty which Lord Beaconsfield manifested towards his colleagues raadp an impression on him which would never leave him. He desciibed Lord Beaoonsfield'* zeal for the of England us the "passion of his life," observing that Lord Beaconsfiold wished to see England mighty, powoilul, and "■rear. He closed an effective speech 03' saying that the motion about to bo adopted by their loidships was like the feeling out of doors — no expression of any party or sectional fecHngr, but one of admuation for the slpendid genius and magnificent services of the m iv. Lord Malmesbury, as an intimate friend from early life, expressed his opinion th.it Lord Beaconsfield had possessed every domestic \ irtue a man need have. He mentioned that his domestic life, while L'ldy Boaconsfipld lived, wns of the happiest, but that after her death Lord Bpncon'.field said, " I have no home." The motion was then agreed to.