Benjamin Disraeli

Smyth

27 March 1852

Engraving

Illustrated London News. p. 256

Scanned image and text Philip V. Allingham

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"The "Disraeli the younger" of 1837, and the Right Honourable Benjamin Disraeli, M. P., P. C., and Chancellor of the Exchequer, are two different persons. The former was a vain, presumptuous, forward egotist, but crammed with talent to the gorge. The latter is a matured, steady-going Parliamentary leader and Minister, who has effaced from the public memory the "Disraeli the younger" of 1837 as completely as if he had drunk of St. Leon's elixir. Mr. Disraeli is a very Proteus. He shook off the troublesome and somewhat ridiculous disguise of his earlier years, and became, from 1839 to 1844, a modest, painstaking pupil; from 1844 to 1846 he suddenly burst out as a perfectly polished and powerful debater, who for a brief period ruled the House of Commons with a power not granted even to the burning eloquence of a Shell; from 1846 to 1852 he as gracefully and easily assumed the functions of leader of the Opposition, conducting his party with a firmness, dignity, and courtesy that won involuntary respect."

Last modified 11 September 2007