EVIDENCE AND EXAMPLES. 77 



objects, but it is difficult to discover an enduringly 

 successful Statesman among contemplative and im- 

 passioned natures. John Bright was a political , 

 thinker and philosopher rather than an active states- 

 man. He gave from time to time outbursts of long 

 pent-up impassioned and unrivalled oratory in im- 

 passioned exposition and impassioned appeal, but he 

 had no aptitude for debate and none for leadership. 

 He and Mr. Gladstone well represent the two radically 

 and temperamentally different types of character 

 which neither circumstance nor volition can change. 

 The more emotional and the more active men do not 

 necessarily entertain different opinions, but they arrive 

 at them, hold and feel them differently, express them 

 differently in speech and conduct. It was not only that 

 Mr. Bright the individual differed from the individ- 

 ual Mr. Gladstone : they are notable examples of two 

 radically different biases. We have among us a multi- 

 tude of minature Gladstones and minature Brights. 

 In pointing out that Mr. Bright was not a distinguished 

 figure in the field of activity, it must be noted that 

 there is a marked difference between activity and 

 practicalness. A reflective, nay, even an indolent man 

 may possibly be highly practical, and an active bustling 

 man may be quite the reverse. Bright, as is usual 

 with ths passionate and slower temperament, was not 

 brilliant in instant repartee and quick wit. He did not 

 excel in rapid and opportune attack or defence. He 

 was not a debater. The born debater can see one 

 thing clearly while he is talking pungently of some 

 other thing. The impassioned speaker cannot do this. 

 His aptitude was for the creation and awakening of 

 public opinion ; Gladstone's is for the transaction of 

 the public business. 



