Walpole by John Morley ~ Full Audiobook [biography]
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The Importance of Personal Emulation in Politics
Walpole joined the wigs in supporting the act of settlement, but he is not known to have taken part in debate. Personal emulation is stated to have been the spur that first made him a speaker. The occasion of Walpole's maiden speech is not known. All that is told is that he was confused and embarrassed and failed to realize the expectations of his friends. He was followed by somebody more fluent than himself. 'You may applaud the one,' said an acute onlooker, and ridicule the other as much as you please.' But depend upon it, the spruce gentleman who made the set speech will never improve, and Walpole will in time become an excellent speaker.
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