The ex-Home Secretary, meantime, was still disporting himself around the Red Sea or in the Straits of Bab-el-mandeb; and Mr.Balfour, who has notoriously a bad memory, was left groping in the cobwebs of his brain, trying to recollect which of the dynamitards it was Mr.Matthews intended to retain and which to release.

Attacking the action of Mr.
Morley with regard to the liberation of the Gweedore prisoners, Mr.
Balfour brought upon himself a series of sharp interruptions from Mr.
Morley; and there was some very pretty play, Mr.Balfour retorting now and then with considerable skill and readiness.

Altogether it was an excellent fighting speech, and a good beginning.

There were, in addition to what I have mentioned, plenty of shots about the foreign policy of the Government, especially in Uganda and Egypt; and it is needless to say that Mr.Balfour accused his successors of swallowing in office all the principles they had professed in Opposition.
[Sidenote: The Old Man rises.] Mr.Gladstone had to stand silent for a few minutes in face of the thunderous welcome which he received from the Irish benches.

Though the reception was gratifying, he seemed to be impatiently awaiting its termination, for he was full of vigour and eagerness for the attack, and never in his most youthful hours did he display a greater readiness to meet all assaults half-way.