Punch (73.1877)

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

33

PUNCH'S ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT

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F we wanted an appropriate title for onr se'nnight's chronicle, we
ought to call it A "Week at Donnybrook." It opens with a pleasant
novelty in the Dog-days—a Saturdav Morning Sitting {July 21).
And for such an agreeable and useful morning's work, too ! Four
hours of obstructive row over the Irish Judicature Bill, resulting in
one division of 90 to 4 on a Motion of Me. Biggab's to postpone a
Schedule. And this, after several rounds of the same weari-
some wrangling in the small hours of Friday's sitting. The only
novelty was that Biggae said " What the deuce ! " and was called
to order for it. If " What the deuce ! " makes Biggab's behaviour
disorderly, what the deuce do you call Biggab's behaviour without
that energetic form of interrogation ?

The House is rapidly getting into a state of white-heat at this
idiotic annoyance, and no wonder. If it keeps temper enough, under
the provocation of Pabnell, Biggae, and O'Donnell, to pass sen-
tence on these incorrigible offenders with decent judicial dignity, it
will have earned canonisation ; for, certainly, they have been enough, this week, to rile a Senate of Saints. There is a limit even to Parlia-
mentary patience ; and it has evidently been reached at last. If July does not see the end of this intolerable waste of public time,
and unjustifiable tax on private temper, the House of Commons will have deserved the ignominy to which it is the object of this precious
trio to reduce it. In Sie William Haecotjet's words, Messes. Pabjtell, Biggae & Co., will have succeeded in their attempt "to
defy the authority of Parliament, to bring the House of Commons into oontempt, and to block the great engine by which the British Empire
is chiefly maintained." Of course this is what they wish. But ought they to have their wish ? It is all very well to treat these persons
with contempt. Contempt, irony, sarcasm, ridicule, are as much thrown away on them as hail on the hide of a rhinoceros. They
must be prevented from further obstructing public business, as you prevent a knot of roughs from stopping a thoroughfare. The rules
of the House were framed for men of sense and Gentlemen, so no wonder a difficulty is found in bringing them to bear on the present
offenders. But if the old rules won't fit, new ones will have to be framed. The nuisance must be abated.

Monday {Lords),—The House in a hush of expectation. Quite a rush of at least a dozen Peers to their places to hear Lobd
Gbanvtlle—in an awful silence—ask Loeb Deeby " whether he could give any explanation respecting the rumoured movement of troops
to the Mediterranean," and to hear Lobd Debby's answer—in a silence as awful—" that the Mediterranean garrisons were below their
fuU complement; and in the present uncertain and disturbed condition of Europe, it has been thought desirable that they should be
strengthened—to the extent of about 3000 troops. This is the sole foundation for the statements in the newspapers,"

" Parturiunt montes, nascetur ridiculus mus."

But there can surely be no mistake about the Mouse after this. How can the D. T. drummer persist in beating his big drum so