Mr Gladstone's entrance into the House was sig-
nalled by a remarkable demonstration. The whole
body of Liberal and Irish Members rose to their
feet, vociferously cheering, many of them standing on
the seats and waving their hats. The applause lasted
for several minutes. Members still standing. When
it subsided, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of
York were seen taking their places over the clock in

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ARTHUR JAMES BALFOUR

the Peers' gallery beside the Duke of Teck. At
moment the only vacant seat in the House was that
of the Leader of the Opposition, who strolled in just
after Mr Gladstone had risen.
The appearance of the Prime Minister at the table
drew forth another outburst of extraordinary enthus-
iasm, his followers again leaping to their feet with
thunders of applause.
The Premier's speech lasted two hours, and through
it all his magnificent voice showed no sign of exhaus-
tion. His exposition of the Bill was a model of lucidity,
and he concluded with a peroration of noble eloquence
delivered in tones of deep emotion. "Let me entreat
you," he said, " — ^if it were with my latest breath I
would entreat you — to let the dead bury its dead.
