He was supported in the Commons by a very narrow majority, never I think exceeding forty-eight, and often falling below that number.

The power of the party system, or as Americans say, the "Machine," was admittedly much less in 1893 than it has become in 1911.

Yet Mr.Gladstone used such power as he possessed to the utmost.

He hurried through the House of Commons a Bill which had not in fact received the assent of the nation.

He made the freest use of every device for curtailing freedom of debate.