He attempted to stem the splendid tide of enthusiasm on which the Grand Old Leader was swimming triumphantly, by stating that at one time Mr.Gladstone had separated himself from Mr.Collings's proposals for the reform of the position of the agricultural labourers.

When anybody makes a quotation against Mr.
Gladstone, the latter gentleman has a most awkward habit of asking for the date, the authority, and such like posers to men of slatternly memory, and doubtful accuracy.

I have heard several of the wonderful Old Man's private secretaries declare that they had never been able to get over the dread with which this uncanny power of remembering everything inspired them--it was awe-inspiring, and produced a perpetual feeling of nervousness--as though they were in the presence of some extraordinary and incomprehensible great force of nature.

It is rather unfortunate for Joe that nature did not endow him with any bump of veneration, and that he is thus ready to embark on hazardous enterprises, in which he oftens comes to grief.

When he made this quotation against Mr.Gladstone, the Old Man at once pounced on him with a demand for the date and the authority.