For the moment, however, he sails before the wind.

With his youthful--almost boyish face--clean-shaven, fair and fresh--with his light brown hair carefully combed, school-boy fashion, and with no more trace of white than if he were playing football in a school gymnasium--he is a wonderful example of early and precocious political fortune.

There is in his face a certain cheery cynicism--a combination of self-confidence and perhaps of self-mockery, the attitude of most clear-sighted men towards fortune, even when she is most smiling.

At the outset Mr.Asquith had to encounter an amendment from Mr.Chamberlain.It is needless to say that, while the most Radical Government which ever existed is proposing Radical legislation, the cue of Mr.Chamberlain will be now and then to "go one better"-- to use the American phrase; and accordingly here was an amendment from Birmingham which went even further than the Bill of Mr.
Asquith.

With gentle but effective ridicule Mr.Asquith, riddled the Chamberlain amendment; but for the moment the amendment served the purpose of delaying further progress with the Bill.
[Sidenote: Another surprise.] And there was another surprise--actually a fourth Bill--also from the Government Bench; and also proposing to make a further beneficial change in the position of working men.