THE FREE LANCE. His good blade carves the i casques of men, for the Free Lance thrusteth sure." VOL. XVI. Any student of the political life of a country may observe how varied are the conditions and equipment of men who choose politics as their profession. Some possess noble birth, a thorough education and the backing of influential friends. These are envied as being " fortune's favorites." There is another, class, howeven, that suffer from one or both of the disadvantages of lowly birth or a deficient educa tion and also have to face the hate and prejudice of the world. Yet if such men, by the force of brilliant intellect and an iron will, can rise above these things and command the respect and admiration of their fellows, they become striking figures in world history. Sixty-five years ago, when Queen Victoria summoned her first Parliament, such a figure entered the Parliamentary arena. O'Connell, the great Irish orator, had just created a great commotion by a most powerful speech when this mem ber arose to make his initial address. He began by taunting the previous speaker, by attacking the Whig party and by making various other cutting allusions. He was compelled to take his seat amidst a shower of hisses and derisive laughter; but before retiring he was heard to say: " Sirs, I have several times begun things and I have often succeeded at last. I will sit down, but the time will come when you will listen to me." Forty years later the same figure stood on the same floor NOVEMBER, 1902. BENJAMIN DISRAELI. No. 5.
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