DOI issue:
February 12, 1881
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.17750#0072
64
PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.
[February 12, 1881.
of parties, making the one' common bond of union a desire to re-
establish authority in the House of Commons.
Business clone.—Grot ready to sit all night.
Tuesday.—Mr. Newdegate, smiling knowingly, throws up his
hands, shakes his head, and beats his knees, in token of arrival at
the conclusion that there never were
such things seen in the House of
Commons—whether at the corner seat
of the fourth bench below the gang-
way, or elsewhere. It is midnight,
and the House has now been sitting,
without intermission, for thirty-two
hours. The Irish Members, few in
number, but unfettered by the con-
siderations that ordinarily maintain
discipline among bodies of gentlemen,
have taken that time-honoured insti-
tution, the British House of Commons,
by the throat, have flung it igno-
miniously on its back, and have been
mercilessly kneeling on its chest.
One might say that this, the so-called
mightiest assembly in the world, is
like Gulliver in Lilliput.
Just now there are signs of
movement in the sleeping giant.
Oddly enough,—though I believe
such things sometimes happen in the
Pantomime and in real life,—the
first person to feel the weight of re-
Taking off otjk Cotes. awakened authority, is one of the
most inoffensive. Mr. T. D. Sul-
livan, though not lacking in courage, has neither the! ponderosity
of speech that distinguishes Dr. Comins, nor the pertness that
makes Mr. Dawson insufferable, nor the coarse vulgarity that in the
person of Mr. Healt libels on the floor of the House of Commons
the Irish peasant class. Yet it is on Mr. T. D. Sullivan that the big
guns of the Opposition suddenly brought into plav, open fire. Of
course, fiasco followed. The Speaker could not rule Mr. Sullivan
out of order, and the well-meant, but ill-directed attempt failed.
Mr. Milbank, succumbing to the excitement of the movement, and
seeing double, jumped up when Mr. Dillon had been twice
called to order, and declaring that he had four times been cautioned
invoked the thunder of the Chair. But the Chair, rather embarrassed
than assisted by these wild attacks, declined to act, remained immov-
able when Sir Stafford Northcote pricked the sides of its intent,
and was not to be incited to premature action, even when Mr. W. H.
Smith made, from the front Opposition Bench, a third appeal.
Then came chaos, and departed the Leaders of Her Majesty's
Opposition. They had thrice warned the Chair, and now in accord-
ance with the spirit of Parliamentary discipline, they proceeded to
punishment. With angry gesture the usually mild and placable Sir
Stafford rose, and with stiff obeisance
to the Chair, left the House, accom-
panied by Sir Michael Hicks-Beach,
Mr. W. H. Smith, and some others.
At the gangway the Fourth Party,
who but yesterday pledged their sup-
port to a pleased Ministry, joined their
forces to the out-going stream, as,
ever broadening, it reached the door
and passed out amid thunderous cheers
from the Home-Bulers; Mr. Parnell
himself standing pale and motionless
the while, waiting for opportunity to
speak. Then Mr. Milbank, standing
well out on the floor of the House,
waving his hat as if it were a drawn
sword, cheered on Her Majesty's
Ministers to the support of the Chair.
His enthusiastic demeanour drew Movement by Sullivan
forth from some gentleman opposite (N0T Arthus)-
a chilling remark of a personal character. This brought up Mr.
Milbank again with hat outstretched and denunciatory gesture
towards Mr. Biggar, whom he accused of uttering the unparlia-
mentary phrase. Then, somehow or other, amid the confusion a
Division befell, and when the Tellers came back Mr. Biggar reported
to the Deputy Speaker that Mr. Milbank had walked across the
floor of the House and observed to him (the Member for Cavan)
"Mr. Biggar, Sir, you are an impudent scoundrel." "I should like,
Sir," said Mr. Biggar, who is always putting conundrums to the
Chair, "to have your opinion as to whether he is justified in that
opinion.'' This was not quite what Mr. Biggar wanted to say ; but
nobody was at the moment saying what he meant, or doing what he
should, and the appearance of Dr. Commins with evidence of possession
of notes for a speech of an hour or two long, was gladly welcomed as
an opportunity for everyone to go out and reflect upon what we are
coming to.
Business done.— Prepared for another all-night Sitting.
Wednesday.—-By kind permission of the Speaker, the House
adjourned this morning at half past nine, having sat 41 hours and 41
minutes. Everyone went home, had a thorough good sleep, a bath,
a canter in the Park, or a walk right to the top of Constitution Hill,
winding up by breakfast to the fork. Back again mightily refreshed
at noon, to begin another sitting, which might as well last to Sunday
morning, as there is no use in making more than two bites at a cherry.
This morning we passed the First Reading of the Protection Bill. This
afternoon we were to have passed the Second Heading, but the Irish
Members objected, and the afternoon agreeably wore away with dis-
cussion on motions for adjournment. As I left the House, the last
thing I saw was Mr. Biggar and Mr. Finigan, after evicting ex-
Ministers from the Front Opposition Bench, in possession of their
holding, and with a nice impartiality objecting to everything.
Everyone says to everyone else, that we had a great triumph, and
scotched Obstruction this morning. Certainly this has some look of
the kind.
Business done.—Leave given to introduce Protection of Persons and
Property (Ireland) Bill.
Thursday Night.— Gulliver has awakened, and Lilliput lies low.
What happened yesterday morning turns out to have been merely a
restless movement of the half-
sleeping giant . Now he has moved
in good earnest. It was a fine
dramatic scene. It opened admir-
ably. A few introductory remarks
from Mr. Parnell ; then Mr. Dil-
lon suddenly discovered standing
with folded arms, dark browed and
defiant. Mr. Dillon's action was
a stroke of original genius. The
House of Commons, after long ex-
perience, has thought what it should
do with various kinds of Obstruc-
tion ; but it never. occurred to it
that some day would be presented
to it for solution the difficulty of an
Hon. Member standing silent and
motionless, with folded arms, as if
The O'Gokman Mahon— he were having his photograph
Clahe-voyant. taken. Poor Mr. Gladstone was
hopping between the Treasury
Bench and the Table like a hen on a hot gridiron. Beckoned forward
by the Speaker, pulled back by the Home Secretary, cheered on
by the Ministerialists, howled down by the Home-Eulers, and all the
while fixed upon him the basilisk eyes of this silent man with folded
arms. The Premier had an exceedingly bad quarter of an hour.
John Dillon disposed of, Mr. Parnell popped up, and insisted
upon being made a martyr of. The House hastened to oblige him,
and the unfortirnate Premier had once more commenced his speech
when Mr. Finigan came forward and claimed attention. The
Speaker was now warming to his work. Mr. Gladstone had per-
manently got possession of the slip of paper on which were written
the terms of the Suspensory Order, and Mr. Finigan was worked
off in a twinkling. But if they were in a hurry, Mr. Finigan was
"Mr. Speaker," he said, " I ree-spectfully dee-cline to dee-part
except in o-bedience to su-perior force." .
Nothing could be refused to a Gentleman so syllabic m his into-
nation. Superior force was forthcoming in large quantities—as
many as six of the oldest and most infirm attendants of the House
marching in with pale faces and trembling knees. But Mr. * i^igan
was not particular to a few score years. He gracefully surrendered
his sword and ree-tired. Then the fun grew fast and furious. Atone
sweep of the net twenty-eight Obstructionists were caught, it was
here the piece began to drag, and here where a judicious cutting-
down might be effected. Each man was suspended separately. Each
declined to go, speaking a few lines with more or less effect, and to
each severally and separately the Sergeant-at-Arms addressed him-
self, sometimes with his merry men and sometimes without. It got
a trifle wearisome when the twentieth man had played ins part,
and by the time the twenty-eighth was reached, one began to ieei as
if he were dining exclusively off pickles. But at last they were ail
gone, and then the House of Commons for the first time for many
years, soberly and sensibly settled down to its work.
Business fforce.-Parnelhtes suspended. Mr. Gladstone's new
Sessional Order passed.
Friday Night.—Irish Members cow'd. No more bulls. Mr.
Biggar below the gangway roaring us as gently as a suckmg aove.
Mr. Dillon in Ireland. Mr. Davitt m prison. Mr. Parnell no-
where. House eminently respectable and decidedly dull.
Business done—Second Beading of Protection Bill moved.
PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.
[February 12, 1881.
of parties, making the one' common bond of union a desire to re-
establish authority in the House of Commons.
Business clone.—Grot ready to sit all night.
Tuesday.—Mr. Newdegate, smiling knowingly, throws up his
hands, shakes his head, and beats his knees, in token of arrival at
the conclusion that there never were
such things seen in the House of
Commons—whether at the corner seat
of the fourth bench below the gang-
way, or elsewhere. It is midnight,
and the House has now been sitting,
without intermission, for thirty-two
hours. The Irish Members, few in
number, but unfettered by the con-
siderations that ordinarily maintain
discipline among bodies of gentlemen,
have taken that time-honoured insti-
tution, the British House of Commons,
by the throat, have flung it igno-
miniously on its back, and have been
mercilessly kneeling on its chest.
One might say that this, the so-called
mightiest assembly in the world, is
like Gulliver in Lilliput.
Just now there are signs of
movement in the sleeping giant.
Oddly enough,—though I believe
such things sometimes happen in the
Pantomime and in real life,—the
first person to feel the weight of re-
Taking off otjk Cotes. awakened authority, is one of the
most inoffensive. Mr. T. D. Sul-
livan, though not lacking in courage, has neither the! ponderosity
of speech that distinguishes Dr. Comins, nor the pertness that
makes Mr. Dawson insufferable, nor the coarse vulgarity that in the
person of Mr. Healt libels on the floor of the House of Commons
the Irish peasant class. Yet it is on Mr. T. D. Sullivan that the big
guns of the Opposition suddenly brought into plav, open fire. Of
course, fiasco followed. The Speaker could not rule Mr. Sullivan
out of order, and the well-meant, but ill-directed attempt failed.
Mr. Milbank, succumbing to the excitement of the movement, and
seeing double, jumped up when Mr. Dillon had been twice
called to order, and declaring that he had four times been cautioned
invoked the thunder of the Chair. But the Chair, rather embarrassed
than assisted by these wild attacks, declined to act, remained immov-
able when Sir Stafford Northcote pricked the sides of its intent,
and was not to be incited to premature action, even when Mr. W. H.
Smith made, from the front Opposition Bench, a third appeal.
Then came chaos, and departed the Leaders of Her Majesty's
Opposition. They had thrice warned the Chair, and now in accord-
ance with the spirit of Parliamentary discipline, they proceeded to
punishment. With angry gesture the usually mild and placable Sir
Stafford rose, and with stiff obeisance
to the Chair, left the House, accom-
panied by Sir Michael Hicks-Beach,
Mr. W. H. Smith, and some others.
At the gangway the Fourth Party,
who but yesterday pledged their sup-
port to a pleased Ministry, joined their
forces to the out-going stream, as,
ever broadening, it reached the door
and passed out amid thunderous cheers
from the Home-Bulers; Mr. Parnell
himself standing pale and motionless
the while, waiting for opportunity to
speak. Then Mr. Milbank, standing
well out on the floor of the House,
waving his hat as if it were a drawn
sword, cheered on Her Majesty's
Ministers to the support of the Chair.
His enthusiastic demeanour drew Movement by Sullivan
forth from some gentleman opposite (N0T Arthus)-
a chilling remark of a personal character. This brought up Mr.
Milbank again with hat outstretched and denunciatory gesture
towards Mr. Biggar, whom he accused of uttering the unparlia-
mentary phrase. Then, somehow or other, amid the confusion a
Division befell, and when the Tellers came back Mr. Biggar reported
to the Deputy Speaker that Mr. Milbank had walked across the
floor of the House and observed to him (the Member for Cavan)
"Mr. Biggar, Sir, you are an impudent scoundrel." "I should like,
Sir," said Mr. Biggar, who is always putting conundrums to the
Chair, "to have your opinion as to whether he is justified in that
opinion.'' This was not quite what Mr. Biggar wanted to say ; but
nobody was at the moment saying what he meant, or doing what he
should, and the appearance of Dr. Commins with evidence of possession
of notes for a speech of an hour or two long, was gladly welcomed as
an opportunity for everyone to go out and reflect upon what we are
coming to.
Business done.— Prepared for another all-night Sitting.
Wednesday.—-By kind permission of the Speaker, the House
adjourned this morning at half past nine, having sat 41 hours and 41
minutes. Everyone went home, had a thorough good sleep, a bath,
a canter in the Park, or a walk right to the top of Constitution Hill,
winding up by breakfast to the fork. Back again mightily refreshed
at noon, to begin another sitting, which might as well last to Sunday
morning, as there is no use in making more than two bites at a cherry.
This morning we passed the First Reading of the Protection Bill. This
afternoon we were to have passed the Second Heading, but the Irish
Members objected, and the afternoon agreeably wore away with dis-
cussion on motions for adjournment. As I left the House, the last
thing I saw was Mr. Biggar and Mr. Finigan, after evicting ex-
Ministers from the Front Opposition Bench, in possession of their
holding, and with a nice impartiality objecting to everything.
Everyone says to everyone else, that we had a great triumph, and
scotched Obstruction this morning. Certainly this has some look of
the kind.
Business done.—Leave given to introduce Protection of Persons and
Property (Ireland) Bill.
Thursday Night.— Gulliver has awakened, and Lilliput lies low.
What happened yesterday morning turns out to have been merely a
restless movement of the half-
sleeping giant . Now he has moved
in good earnest. It was a fine
dramatic scene. It opened admir-
ably. A few introductory remarks
from Mr. Parnell ; then Mr. Dil-
lon suddenly discovered standing
with folded arms, dark browed and
defiant. Mr. Dillon's action was
a stroke of original genius. The
House of Commons, after long ex-
perience, has thought what it should
do with various kinds of Obstruc-
tion ; but it never. occurred to it
that some day would be presented
to it for solution the difficulty of an
Hon. Member standing silent and
motionless, with folded arms, as if
The O'Gokman Mahon— he were having his photograph
Clahe-voyant. taken. Poor Mr. Gladstone was
hopping between the Treasury
Bench and the Table like a hen on a hot gridiron. Beckoned forward
by the Speaker, pulled back by the Home Secretary, cheered on
by the Ministerialists, howled down by the Home-Eulers, and all the
while fixed upon him the basilisk eyes of this silent man with folded
arms. The Premier had an exceedingly bad quarter of an hour.
John Dillon disposed of, Mr. Parnell popped up, and insisted
upon being made a martyr of. The House hastened to oblige him,
and the unfortirnate Premier had once more commenced his speech
when Mr. Finigan came forward and claimed attention. The
Speaker was now warming to his work. Mr. Gladstone had per-
manently got possession of the slip of paper on which were written
the terms of the Suspensory Order, and Mr. Finigan was worked
off in a twinkling. But if they were in a hurry, Mr. Finigan was
"Mr. Speaker," he said, " I ree-spectfully dee-cline to dee-part
except in o-bedience to su-perior force." .
Nothing could be refused to a Gentleman so syllabic m his into-
nation. Superior force was forthcoming in large quantities—as
many as six of the oldest and most infirm attendants of the House
marching in with pale faces and trembling knees. But Mr. * i^igan
was not particular to a few score years. He gracefully surrendered
his sword and ree-tired. Then the fun grew fast and furious. Atone
sweep of the net twenty-eight Obstructionists were caught, it was
here the piece began to drag, and here where a judicious cutting-
down might be effected. Each man was suspended separately. Each
declined to go, speaking a few lines with more or less effect, and to
each severally and separately the Sergeant-at-Arms addressed him-
self, sometimes with his merry men and sometimes without. It got
a trifle wearisome when the twentieth man had played ins part,
and by the time the twenty-eighth was reached, one began to ieei as
if he were dining exclusively off pickles. But at last they were ail
gone, and then the House of Commons for the first time for many
years, soberly and sensibly settled down to its work.
Business fforce.-Parnelhtes suspended. Mr. Gladstone's new
Sessional Order passed.
Friday Night.—Irish Members cow'd. No more bulls. Mr.
Biggar below the gangway roaring us as gently as a suckmg aove.
Mr. Dillon in Ireland. Mr. Davitt m prison. Mr. Parnell no-
where. House eminently respectable and decidedly dull.
Business done—Second Beading of Protection Bill moved.