Punch: Punch (87.1884)

November 15, 1884.] PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

239

ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT

EXTRACTED FROM

THE DIARY OF TOBY, M P,

AGAINST STREAM; OR, THE POLITICAL NILE FASSAGE.

i House Commons, Tuesday, November 4. — Three o'Clock in the
morning', and a tine night. That is, tine out of doors; a little stormy
inside. Irish Members been on since Five o’Clock yesterday after-
; noon. Various accounts of meaning of business. Lord Richard
I Grosvjbnor says, simply means to postpone the Franchise Bill.

! Parnell made out just now that the whole object of debate was to
I drag out speech from Cam pbell-Bann erma n. The whole party
languishing to hear new Chief Secretary, “ Our Only Minister,” as
Tim Heady says, with a tear in his eye. Fact that Campbell-
Bannerman not quite settled down in Irish Office yet, and naturally
knows nothing special about Irish alfairs, may account for this
anxiety.

Real reason seems to be to free themselves from charge of mo-
nomny. The modern Irish Member, to tell the truth, is a little dull.
Hational sense of humour seems dead in him, vulgar abuse taking its
place. If they can vary prevailing monotony, will he a good thing;

arrange accordingly. Last Session. Mr. James Ellis French object
of nightly denunciation by Parnellites. O’Brien hissed his name
between his teeth, and Tim roared it at the top of his voice. Since
then French, in dire straits, hints that he can tell something about
the.Government; so O’Brien and the rest face about. French is
an injured man—another victim to the acts of a vicious Government.

This the theme to-night, varied by general charges against their
countrymen of packing juries. Goes on till Half-past Twelve.
Adjournment moved. House aghast at prospect of another night of
this. Gladstone, who ought to have been in his bed an hour ago,
comes in, and invites House to resist Motion for Adjournment.
House enthusiastically cheers. Parnell pleads for only few words
from Campbell-Bannerman. Never was there such hankering
after human speech from a particular individual. C.-B. strategically
moves towards end of Treasury Bench to get out of the way. . Par-
nellites having uninterruptedly said their say through hours, Solicitor-