"The right honourable gentleman caught the Whigs bathing, and walked away with their clothes. He has left them in the full enjoyment of their liberal positions, and he is himself a strict conservative of their garments"

This quote by Benjamin Disraeli is a metaphor for the political situation in England during the 19th century. The Whigs were a liberal political party, while the Conservatives were more conservative. Disraeli is saying that the right honourable gentleman, likely a Conservative, captured the Whigs in a vulnerable position and benefited from them. He has removed their power and influence, leaving them with only their liberal positions. However, he is not completely taking away their power, as he is a "stringent conservative" of their garments, indicating he is not totally taking away their power and influence. This quote is a commentary on the power battle in between the 2 celebrations, and how the Conservatives were able to benefit from the Whigs. Disraeli is stating that the Conservatives were able to take away the Whigs' power, however not entirely, as they still had their liberal positions.