Punch: Punch (89.1885)

" Gentles, do not reprehend ;
If -sou pari on, tvh will mend.

member of the Party. Overpowering argument this, as bearing on
question, at issue. Gladstone obliged to note it; so, smiling benig-
nantly on his young friend on other side of the table, he observed,
Iwas then twenty-three years of age."

' 9n^y twenty-three ! " said Randolph, with note of admiration
in his voice at this fresh and striking testimony to Gladstone's
versatility. "Yes, but so remarkable is the genius of the Right
Honourable Gentleman, that it would not be extraordinary if, at the
age of twenty-three, he had dominated the Tory Party."

Beautiful all this. Tempting to linger over. Almost as touching

Now to 'scape the Serpent's tongue,
| We will make amends ere long."

Midsummer Night's Dream, Act Y. So. 1.

as the deprecation by Sir Michael Beach of desire on part of Tories
for Coercion Bills in Ireland. " ~We do not propose," he said just
now, " to renew any of the provisions of the Crimes Act, because we
object to exceptional legislation of this character; " and he wondered
why, when he was so grave, the House should go into paroxysms of
laughter.

Business done.—Government secure for public business remaining
days of Session.'

Wednesday.—Quiet afternoon with Navy Estimates. The calm

PUCK IN OFFICE.

And, as I am an honest Pcck,
If we have unearned luck