The Lion and the Unicorn: Gladstone vs Disraeli

by Richard Aldous

‘After two years of apathy he [Disraeli] is beginning to wake up, and fancy all beside are asleep,’ sympathised Lord Cairns when Richmond showed him the correspondence. ‘I know how sincerely the Duke tried to keep up free intercourse with him in vain sometimes,’ agreed Gathorne Hardy, ‘so it is clear to me how unjust [Disraeli’s] first letter was’. Nevertheless, few would have disagreed that the emergence from political hibernation of the leader of the Conservative party was both overdue and extremely welcome. Disraeli’s strategy of waiting for the Gladstone administration to run out of steam was beginning to look masterly. Observers at the St Paul’s thanksgiving service could not help noticing that Disraeli’s rapturous reception had been in marked contrast to that given to the prime minister. The Conservative leader had enjoyed cheers and waving. Gladstone met only stony silence, or even the occasional catcall. Whereas immediately afterwards Disraeli had headed to the Carlton Club to bask in this unexpected display of popularity, Gladstone had gone straight back to Carlton House Terrace for lunch alone.