Untitled - Electric Scotland

174 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP TAIT [CH. vi.
Gladstone. One incident in the debate, though uncon
nected with the subject of this book, may be worth recall
ing upon other grounds, at a time when the two men
concerned in it have been the alternate Prime Ministers
of England. The brilliant maiden speech of Lord Robert
Cecil, in fiery opposition to the Bill, drew the following
eulogy from Mr. Gladstone :-
"
It has been no common gratification to me to listen to-night
to the noble Lord, whose first efforts, rich with future promise,
indicate that there still issue forth from the maternal bosom
of that University men who in the first days of their career
give earnest of what they may afterwards accomplish
J
country."
for their
After a somewhat stormy passage through Parliament,
the Bill passed into law on the /th August 1854, to the
infinite satisfaction of Dean Tait, who had never wavered
for an hour in its support.
1
Hansard^ April 7, 1854, page 754.