In all this he was very great; but when it might fall to his duty
either to suggest or defend any real piece of proposed legislation
he was less happy. On this occasion he had been driven to take the
matter in hand because he had previously been concerned in it as a
lawyer. He had allowed himself to wax angry as he endeavoured to
answer certain personal criticisms. Now Sir Timothy was never
stronger then when he simulated anger. His mock indignation was
perhaps his most powerful weapon. But real anger is a passion
which few men can use with judgement. And now Sir Timothy was
really angry, and condescended to speak of our old friend Phineas
who had made the onslaught as a bellicose Irishman. There was an
over-true story as to our friend having once been seduced into
fighting a duel, and those who wished to decry him sometimes
alluded to the adventure. Sir Timothy had been called to order,
but the Speaker had ruled 'bellicose Irishman' was not beyond the
latitude of parliamentary animadversion. Then Sir Timothy had
repeated the phrase with emphasis, and the Duke hearing it in the
gallery had made his remark as to the unwonted eloquence of his
son's parliamentary chief.
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