The most conspicuous persons were two Parsee merchants, dressed in a
showy oriental costume, who occupied the first bench in the Speaker's
gallery, and who, the previous evening, were admitted behind the throne
in the lords. Lord John was nearly inaudible at first, his elocution
throughout the speech was inferior, and utterly unworthy of his great
name as a speaker. He was listened to with evident partiality, and every
period which told at all against the conduct of the war elicited cheers
from the opposition, and the ministerial benches were far from silent on
these occasions. After his lordship sat down, Lord Palmerston arose on
behalf of the government, amidst breathless expectations. His adroitness
was extraordinary, and his intellectual superiority to his notable
compeer obvious; but it was equally obvious that Lord John's moral
influence was in the ascendant, and the latter part of Lord Palmerston's
statement was heard with impatience, which extended to the galleries,
although the order of the house was more than once invaded by
expressions of approbation to the anti-ministerial remarks of Lord John.
It became evident from Lord Palmerston's address, that his lordship
would be installed in the war-office, if the motion of Mr. Roebuck
failed. Mr. Roebuck did not speak with his usual energy, but although
illness incapacitated him, his voice rang out as clear as a bell, and
every tone told upon the whole house. His speech was devoid of that
acrimony which pervades so generally the matter and the manner of the
honourable member for Sheffield.
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