The Din of Diplomacy

William Gladstone warns voters not to leave foreign policy in the hands of interventionist politicians.

1879

Queen Victoria 1837-1901

Introduction

In a speech in Scotland in 1879, William Gladstone apologised for raising the subject of Foreign Policy, but explained that ordinary voters cannot afford to ignore such matters. Once Britain starts meddling in international affairs, the result will be war, and taxpayers foot the bill.

by William Ewart Gladstone 1808-1898

THERE was a saying of an ancient Greek orator, who, unfortunately, very much undervalued what we generally call the better portion of the community — namely, women; he made a very disrespectful observation, which I am going to quote, not for the purpose of concurring with it, but for the purpose of an illustration. Pericles, the great Athenian statesman, said with regard to women, Their greatest merit was to be never heard of.*

Now, what Pericles untruly said of women, I am very much disposed to say of foreign affairs — their great merit would be to be never heard of. Unfortunately, instead of being never heard of, they are always heard of, and you hear almost of nothing else; and I can’t promise you, gentlemen, that you will be relieved from this everlasting din, because the consequences of an unwise meddling with foreign affairs are consequences that will for some time necessarily continue to trouble you, and that will find their way to your pockets in the shape of increased taxation.

by William Ewart Gladstone 1808-1898

From ‘Political Speeches in Scotland, November and December 1879’, by William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898).

On the roller-coaster career of Pericles, see our post Pericles and the Fickle Public of Athens.

Précis

In a historic speech in Scotland in 1879, William Gladstone apologised for raising the subject of foreign policy, knowing that his audience was already weary of it. But he urged them to take a keen interest, since bad foreign policy will always come back to hurt the ordinary voter, who pays the price in the form of higher taxation.

Questions for Critics

1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?

2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate his ideas more effectively?

3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?

Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.

Sevens

Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.

What was it that Pericles said?

Jigsaws

Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.

Gladstone quoted Pericles. Pericles said no one ever heard about women. He said that was the best thing about them.