from this time forward to do honor to Macaulay.

The elder members grew reminiscent and said the good old times were coming
back, and talked of Burke, Fox, Canning and Lord Plunket.

Jeffrey, feeling a sense of guardianship over Macaulay, having launched
him, as he rightfully claimed, was on hand to hear the speech, and made
haste to embrace his ward, kissing him on both cheeks.

Judging from this distance, there was nothing especially peculiar or
distinctive about Macaulay's oratory, save his intense personality and
vivid earnestness. An educated man, thoroughly alive on any one theme, is
always interesting. And it was Macaulay's policy never to speak in public
on a theme that did not bring out his entire armament, and yet with it all
he was wise enough to cultivate a feeling of restraint and leave the
impression that he had much more in reserve. So it was in his literary
work: he never wrote when tired, nor attempted to express when he was not
thoroughly alive to the subject in hand. He watched his mood. And thus in
all Macaulay's "Essays" we feel the systole and diastole, and the hot,
strong, impatient movement of ruddy life. There is "go" in every sentence.
This is what constitutes his marvelous style--life, life, life!

To very few men, indeed, is it given to be at once a brilliant talker, a
strong writer and an effective orator. Clever talkers are seldom orators,
and the great writers usually ebulliate only in the silence of their
studies.

The fame of Macaulay went abroad, and he became the social lion of
London--he was courted, feted, petted--and in drawing-rooms when he
attended, people stood on tiptoe to catch a glimpse of him, and remained
breathless that they might hear him speak. No doubt the fact that he was a
bachelor helped fan the social flame. His sister has recorded that every
morning cards and letters of invitation were piled high on his
breakfast-table.

With it all, though, the handsome little man preserved his poise, and his
modesty and becoming dignity in public never failed him.

Such was Macaulay's popularity that, after having served two terms for the
borough of Calne, the way was opened for him to stand for Leeds. Indeed,
it is probable that a dozen districts would have been glad to elect him as
their representative.

After the passing of the "Reform Bill," to which his efforts had been so
valuable, he was appointed one of the Commissioners of the Board of
Control. This Board repres