Punch (74.1878)

298 PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. [Jons 29 ib?h.

''THE REMBRANDT EFFECT."

For the benefit of Future Generations, Mr. Tttntters submits to be Idealised by the " Fembrandt Process."

Mrs. T. "Tobias, Mf Dear, that Expression won't do at all. Do try and Look Pleasant. Look at Me, Love!"

[T. does so. Pleasing result!

Disestablishment Party—" If you will cry out loud enough, we will
come and help you." It was unworthy of their high standing
as distinguished statesmen of Her Majesty's Opposition. He, on
the contrary, believed that the majority of Scots liked Church
Establishment. Government could not consent to any inquiry into
an Act passed so lately as only in 1874.

Adjournment of Debate moved by Mr. W. Dillwyn, and seconded
by Lord Hartlngton, who defended his Edinburgh discourse in
Parliament out of Session.

Then Mr. Newdegate arose and made one of his Protestant and
Conservative speeches. Ah! Let the Right Honourable Member
for Greenwich look at the results of his experiment in Ireland. Had
we not assassins in Ireland and obstructives in that House ?

Major Nolan said a few more such speeches as that would make
the Irish Members support Disestablishment for Scotland and
England.

Of these two utterances which was the wiser ?

Mr. Laing having .testified that the Orkneyites and the Shet-
landers were mostly for Disestablishment, the debate was ad-
journed—if not sine die, probably to a dies non—other, of course,
than the Sawbbath.

A little formal business having been transacted, off, off and away
— at a quarter to two.

Wednesday. — Despatch of that hardy, yet delicate annual,
the Women's Disabilities Removal Bill. Shall we say, " Happy
Despatch?" Second Reading moved by Mr. Courtney, and
supported by Mr. Palmer, appropriately, in a maiden speeoh.
Supported, also with the usual stock arguments by Mr. Gorst, Sir
H. Jackson, Mr. Serjeant Sherlock, Mr. Blennerhasset, and
Mr. Hibbert. Opposed by Mr. Han bury, Mr. Smollett—parti-
cularly Mr. Smollett—Mr. Bebesford Hope, Mr. Ferguson, and
Mr. Greene, with the usual stock chaff. Gravely opposed, as
sentimental nonsense, by Mr. Newdegate, who appealed to the
House not to sanction a principle it involved—the principle of
Socialist Democracy—which was disturbing Germany, and had
convulsed France. {Cries of " Hear ! ") apparently not ironical.

The title of this Bill is too big for it by half. For women it is

only a Demi-Disabilities Removal Bill—a project of a half-measure.
It aims at removing the disabilities of single women only. This Bill
might be entitled, "A Bill for the Enfranchisement of Spinsters
and Widows." It would enfranchise young Ladies, and other young
persons, who had reached their majority, and were willing to say
so. But it leaves the Matrons out in the cold. It would withhold
votes from the only class of women likely, as a class, to know any-
thing of affairs. And it would extend the franchise to lodgers.
How would that do ? In the meanwhile women, collectively, do
not ask for the franchise. Woman, in general, is content to remain
politically a—

" Sordid, unfeeling, reprobate, degraded,

Spiritless outcast."

When our sisters, and wives, and daughters, shall unite in claim-
ing the elective franchise, they will probably get it. Probably not
till then. For the present, Collective Wisdom declares that they
who ask for votes shan't have any, and they that don't ask don't
want anv.

The Bill was lost by 219 to 140—a majority of seventy-nine.

A Bill to extend the Commutation of Tithes in England and
Wales, and a Bill to amend the Supreme Court of Judicature (Irish)
introduced, the former by Mr. Cctbitt, and the latter by the
Attorney-General for Ireland. Do the parents of these two little
Bills hope they will survive the Massacre of the Innocents ?

The House rose at the early and constitutional hour of 5'30-m
time for Wednesday's dinner.

Thursday {Lords).—A Voice from the Woolsack, on which the
Lord Chancellor took his seat at five. He gave notice that he
would to-morrow present a measure concerning education in Ireland.

The Bishop of Exeter moved the Second Reading of the Truro
Chapter Bill. A Bill to provide the new Bishopric of Truro with
a Dean and Chapter, and to transfer a Canonry from Exeter to
Truro Cathedral. .

More Bishops are to be numbered amongst the results of in-
creasing population. But so are more Clergy of all or most
denominations; and the additions to the Episcopacy will ask no
additional Votes of Supply.