Punch (93.1887)

PUNCH, OE THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

59

ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

EXTRACTED FROM

THE DIARY OF TOBY, M.P.

Souse of Lords, Monday Night, July 25.—Peers reoeived import-
ant aooession of strength to-night. Gentleman long known in
wmnaons as "Old Mother Hubbabd" been translated, and will
henceforward be known to history as Lord Addington. His early
"npression was that he should have been Chanceilob op the
j^xcHiQr/eb. Admiration for Dizzy, and respect for Stafford
JNoethcote ; but always thought they were out of place at the

Great muster on Opposition Benohes in House of Commons. Con-
servatives not yet back from festivities in the Solent. Old
Morality depressed with consciousness that it will be impossible
for him to move the Closure. Arthur Balfour quite conodiatory
in manner. Progress accordingly comparatively rapid and altogether
peaoeful. At outset, threatened encounter between Sexton and
Johnston. Sexton made inquiry as to whether any chance of City
Charter being granted to Belfast? Johnston jumped up with cry
of "Stop thief!" On the Fourteenth of June—(didn't mention
hour, but precise as to day) — he had put similar question, and
had, he said, been waiting ever since for answer. Detected in
Sexton's movement attempt to secure monopoly of popularity. Not

THE PARLIAMENTARY ALPINE CLUB.

with""7- whilst he sat below the Gangway, fain to be content going to stand that. House only laughed, and incident went no
with vltl°ising their schemes. Markiss didn't really know what to do
. w. nim. Couldn't appoint him Chancellor op the Exchequer
^cession to Grandolph. Yet Hubbabd felt he must have

Markiss, thinking it over one day, recalled the fact that

^b-vbjj had absolutely safe seat in City.

Sou,ood. he said. "Let's make him a Peer."
with ]>"i ls to"niK'ht, swaggering up floor of House of Lords,
in jt "wle ambulatory swing of coat-tails, familiar for generations
his v. e °* Commons. Markiss looks on, pleased with fulfilment of
m!,h»Ppy thought.

starts06 a gentleman." he remarked, sotto voce. " Prosy when he
of Lo'if11 a^ways something of a bore. But he '11 do for the House
hja i0,1-?3. Moreover, have now finally shut him up. Figures are
not h j- ance his foible. Finanoe is the only subject that may
vnlT.-uie °-lectlssed in House of Lords. So, where Hubbabd was
™«iWe, Addington must be dumb."

further.

Later, to intense delight of Parnellites, Habtlngton and Chamber-
lain differed on point raised in Irish Land Bill and voted in opposite
lobbies. "Beginning of the End," said Joseph Gillis humorously
olawing at Tim Healt.
Business dime.—Irish Land Bill in Committee.
Tuesday, 3 a.m.—Late enough to be here. "Would have been later
still but for the presence of mind of the Speaker. Hour ago Stuart
running in with pile of papers moved Second Reading of Bill to
legalise Langworthy and other marriages celebrated at Antwerp
by one Potts. Debate followed, Tomlinson moving adjournment.
House divided, 75 for adjournment and five-and-seventy against.
Everything now depended on the Speakeb. If he gave oasting vote
against adjournment, might go on merrily far into morning. Speaker
took another course. _ Quite time to go home. So supported adjourn-
ment, and rest oi business speedily wound up.