A more serious defection was threatened last Session as the result of
the distrust and discontent in Ministerial circles of Lord Salisbury's
foreign policy. Mr. Yerburgh, moved by apprehension that the interests
of the British Empire in the Far East were at stake, instituted a series
of weekly dinners at the Junior Carlton, where matters were talked over.
The dinners were excellent, the wines choice, and Mr. Yerburgh has a
delicate taste in cigars. This meeting at dinner instead of at tea, as
was the fashion in the Liberal camp at the time of Mr. Gladstone's
trouble over the Irish University Bill in 1873, seemed to indicate
manlier purpose. But nothing came of it, except a distinct advancement
of Mr. Yerburgh's position in the House of Commons. He, as spokesman of
the malcontents, found opportunity to display a complete mastery of an
intricate geographical and political position, combined with capacity
for forcibly and clearly stating his case.
Thus Lord Salisbury remained master of himself though China fell. Had
Mr. Gladstone been in his position, under precisely similar
circumstances, it would have been Her Majesty's Ministry that would have
fallen to pieces.