He is cold-blooded, quick, and dexterous, and, above all things, he has supreme pessimism and cynicism.

To him, all political warfare is a somewhat squalid struggle, in which everybody is dishonest, and everybody playing for his own hand.

It is an advantage in some respects to take that view; it saves a man from anything like unduly passionate convictions--enables him to keep cool even in trying circumstances.

I have seen Sir John as cold as ice in the very height and ecstasy of the most passionate moments in the fierce Parliament of 1880 to 1885, and a man who remains so cool is sure to be able to strike his blows deliberately and home.

My poor friend, Mr.Mundella, sometimes forgets this.