But, notwithstanding these two things--which are both, to my mind, capital defects in Parliamentary speaking--Sir William put his case with such extraordinary lucidity, that everybody listened in profound attention to every word he uttered; and when he sate down, he was almost overwhelmed with the chorus of praise which descended on his head from all quarters of the House.
Sir William Harcourt imitated most Chancellors of the Exchequer, in keeping his secret to the latest possible moment.

Like a good dramatist also, he arranged his figures and the matter of his speech so well that the final solution became inevitable, and the final solution, of course, was the addition of a penny to the income-tax.

The debate which followed the Budget speech was quiet, discursive, friendly to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Mr.Picton is a formidable man to Chancellors of the Exchequer--for he has very strong ideas of reform--especially on the breakfast-table; but Mr.Picton is rational as well as Radical; and he cordially acknowledged the duty of postponing even the reforms on which Radicals have set their hearts until more convenient times and seasons.
[Sidenote: Belfast.] It was after midnight when a very serious bit of business took place.
The House gets to know beforehand when anything like serious debate is going to take place--even though there be no notice.

Accordingly, in spite of the lateness of the hour, the House was pretty full, and there was a preliminary air of expectation and excitement.