*

To tell the story of Disraeli's thirty years in Parliament would be to
write the political history of the time. He was in the front of every
fight; he expressed himself on every subject; he crossed swords with the
strongest men of his age. That he had no great and overpowering
convictions on any subject is fully admitted now, even by his most ardent
admirers--it was always a question of policy; that is to say, he was a
politician. He gave a point here and there when he had to, and when he
did, always managed to do it gracefully. When he ambled over from one
party to another he affected a fine wrath and gave excellent reasons.

Three times he was Chancellor of the Exchequer, and twice was he Prime
Minister, and for a time actual Dictator. But he took good care not to
exercise his power too severely. When his word was supreme, the safety of
the nation lay, as it always does, in a strong opposition.

In one notable instance was Disraeli wrong in his prophecies--he declared
again and again that Free Trade meant commercial bankruptcy. Yet Free
Trade came about, and the fires were started in ten thousand factories,
and such prosperity came to England as she had never known before.

Political economy as a science was a constant butt for his wit, and in
physical science he was dense to a point where his ignorance calls for
pity. He believed in the literal Mosaic account of creation, and said in
his paradoxical way on one occasion, that in belief he was not only a
Christian, but a Jew. And this in spite of his most famous mot: "All
sensible men are of one religion."

"And what is that?"

"Sensible men never tell."

Had Disraeli been truly sensible he would not have attempted to hold
Charles Darwin up to ridicule, by declaring in a speech at Oxford that "it
is a choice between apes and angels." He had neither the ability,
patience, nor inclination to read the "Origin of Species," and yet was so
absurd as to answer it.

In his novels of "Coningsby," "Sybil" and "Tancred," he argues with great
skill and adroit sophistry that a landed aristocracy is necessary to a
progressive civilization. "The common people need an example of refinement
in way of manners, art and intellect. Some one must take the lead, and
reveal the possibility of life in leisurely and luxurious living." And
this example of beauty, gentleness and excellence was to come from the
landed gentry of England--ye gods! Was it possible that this man believed