Benjamin Disraeli on Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby

“He astonishes me – his mind always clear – his patience extraordinary – he rises in difficulty, and his resources never fail.”

“Lord Malmesbury told me that Stanley, "who never pays compliments, you know, that's not his way," said it [Disraeli's speech] was one of the best things that was ever done.”

“His fiery eloquence, his haughty courage, the rapidity of his intellectual grasp,—which probably never was surpassed; his capacity for labour, and his mastery of detail—which never were sufficiently appreciated, because the world was astonished by the celerity with which he despatched public affairs—all these combined to produce a man who must have become celebrated... He abolished slavery, he educated Ireland, and he reformed Parliament.”