He was dressed in the solemn black frock coat which he always wears on great occasions, and in his buttonhole there was a beautiful little boutonniere of white roses and lilies of the valley.
The waxen pallor was still relieved by the glow caused by his enthusiastic reception from the people, as, with his son Herbert on the one side and Mr.Marjoribanks, the chief Liberal whip, on the other, he walked up the floor of the House.
[Sidenote: The new Ministry.] One after another, the new Ministers followed--their receptions varying with their popularity--and at last they were all seated on the Treasury Bench.

In their looks there was ample indication of the intellectual supremacy which had raised them to that exalted position.

Mr.Gladstone had Sir William Harcourt--his Chancellor of the Exchequer--on his right, and on his left sat Mr.John Morley, with his thin face and smile, half ascetic, half kindly.

Then came the newest man of the Government, that fortunate youth to whom power and recognition have come, not in withered or soured old age, but in the full prime of his manhood.

Mr.Asquith takes his seat next Mr.Morley; and it is, perhaps, the close proximity which suggests the strong physical likeness between the two.