DOI issue:
August 12, 1882
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.17753#0072
64
PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.
[August lz, j.oc2,
ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.
EXTRACTED FROM
THE DIARY OF TOBY, M.P.
House of Lords, Monday Night, July 31.—House crowded to-
night. Peers about to assert their place in the British Constitution.
“The Commons propose,” said my Lord Marquis, stroking his
coal-black beard, “ but the Lords dispose.”
At present Lords disposed to make a hash of Arrears Bill. My
Lord Marquis moves Amendments in truculent speech. Lord Car-
lingford, who follows, seems almost physically weak-knee’d, as he
makes effort to reply. Granville sometimes has pretty conflict
with my Lord Marquis, his strokes being none the less effective because
dealt with a genial smile. Lord
Sherbrook might do it, if he
were not altogether deserted by
the spirit of Bobby Lowe. But
Carlingeord not up to the work,
and performance rather one-
sided. Like the Hatfield Pet
boxing with his dummy.
Great occasion for Lord Cran-
brook. Uplifts his voice to con-
stitutional pitch. Talks himself
out of breath by the thirtieth
sentence. Fortunately Peers
cheer, and Lord Cranbrook
breathes.
Rather a bad night for Lord
Brabourne, though he must by
this time be getting used to bad
times with the Lords. Has taken
his seat on front Cross Benches,
“ ready to make the most of
either side,” as the Lord Marquis
sneers. L. M. not very fond of
Brabourne.
“ All very well at first to have
a man ratting as soon as he ’s
made a Peer. Annoying to the
other side, if not supremely grati-
fying to the side he joins. But manifestations of this kind, pall a
little when often repeated. The average Englishman understands
honest political animosity, and enjoys it; but for a man to pose for
a quarter of a century as sound Liberal, to get whatever was going
in the way of place or profit, to propose himself for a Cabinet Office
when his party come back, failing that, unblushingly to ask for a
Peerage, and when he’s got it to turn on Gladstone, is all very well
to make a play of for one night, but it doesn’t suit a body of English
gentlemen.”
Thus says the Lord Marquis in a loud tone, which betokens that he
(doesn’t care who hears him. Brabourne made a little way the
, other night, by declaring he would not have accepted a Peerage if
he’d known what Gladstone was capable of. As a touch of humour
from an unaccustomed quarter, this not bad. But it won’t last
through the Session. The House cheered uproariously to-night
when the Lord Chancellor, moved from his usual mild manner,
fell upon the new Peer, and made him think that, after all, there
are thorns in a coronet.
Business done.—Arrears Bill mauled in Committee.
House of Commons. Tuesday Night.—The versatility of genius
triumphantly demonstrated to-night by Joseph Gillis. Too com-
mon tendency to regard this great man simply as an obstructionist.
Joseph, it is well known, can stop the car of legislation; but he can
also urge it forward. To-night this last his task. Municipal Cor-
porations Bill before House. Stupendous Bill of illimitable clauses.
Joseph had studied it, and saw way to several amendments. How
assumed Leadership of Opposition and struggled -with Minister in
charge.
Noteable how J. G.’s whole attitude was changed with varying
circumstance. The imitation sealskin waistcoat all very weU when
obstructing, and by reason of long usage convenient for placing
thumbs in arm-holes. But for serious legislation a little lacking in
ceremony. To-night Joseph appears decently dressed in black with
a silver watch-guard hanging across his waistcoat. (Puleston says
he came down in a four-wheeler.) Oratorical attitude also changed
to suit circumstances. Ho more thumb in arm-hole of waistcoat, and
right hand extended in domination of the House. _ Joseph holds in
his left hand copy of the Bill, the fingers of his right being lightly
disposed in his trouser pocket. J. G. has seen Mr. Parnell stand
thus when making a serious speech, and amongst further evidence
of early origin that would have delighted the late Mr. Darwin,
Joey B. has a great faculty of imitation.
During the course of discussion the Alderman exploded—not
Alderman Fowler but Alderman Lawrence. Firth had been
saying nasty things about the London Corporation. Alderman
Lawrence sitting close by separated by the Gangway, with difficulty
controlled his emotion whilst Firth talked about 1 ‘ nest of corrup-
tion,” and so on. When he sat down Alderman rose, and with left
hand in bosom of his waistcoat, and right extended (“for all the
world like Napoleon crossing the Alps,” as Mr. Caine said),
The Cut Direct.
Lord S-lb-rne to Lord Br-b-rne.
; Don’t know yar! ”
PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.
[August lz, j.oc2,
ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.
EXTRACTED FROM
THE DIARY OF TOBY, M.P.
House of Lords, Monday Night, July 31.—House crowded to-
night. Peers about to assert their place in the British Constitution.
“The Commons propose,” said my Lord Marquis, stroking his
coal-black beard, “ but the Lords dispose.”
At present Lords disposed to make a hash of Arrears Bill. My
Lord Marquis moves Amendments in truculent speech. Lord Car-
lingford, who follows, seems almost physically weak-knee’d, as he
makes effort to reply. Granville sometimes has pretty conflict
with my Lord Marquis, his strokes being none the less effective because
dealt with a genial smile. Lord
Sherbrook might do it, if he
were not altogether deserted by
the spirit of Bobby Lowe. But
Carlingeord not up to the work,
and performance rather one-
sided. Like the Hatfield Pet
boxing with his dummy.
Great occasion for Lord Cran-
brook. Uplifts his voice to con-
stitutional pitch. Talks himself
out of breath by the thirtieth
sentence. Fortunately Peers
cheer, and Lord Cranbrook
breathes.
Rather a bad night for Lord
Brabourne, though he must by
this time be getting used to bad
times with the Lords. Has taken
his seat on front Cross Benches,
“ ready to make the most of
either side,” as the Lord Marquis
sneers. L. M. not very fond of
Brabourne.
“ All very well at first to have
a man ratting as soon as he ’s
made a Peer. Annoying to the
other side, if not supremely grati-
fying to the side he joins. But manifestations of this kind, pall a
little when often repeated. The average Englishman understands
honest political animosity, and enjoys it; but for a man to pose for
a quarter of a century as sound Liberal, to get whatever was going
in the way of place or profit, to propose himself for a Cabinet Office
when his party come back, failing that, unblushingly to ask for a
Peerage, and when he’s got it to turn on Gladstone, is all very well
to make a play of for one night, but it doesn’t suit a body of English
gentlemen.”
Thus says the Lord Marquis in a loud tone, which betokens that he
(doesn’t care who hears him. Brabourne made a little way the
, other night, by declaring he would not have accepted a Peerage if
he’d known what Gladstone was capable of. As a touch of humour
from an unaccustomed quarter, this not bad. But it won’t last
through the Session. The House cheered uproariously to-night
when the Lord Chancellor, moved from his usual mild manner,
fell upon the new Peer, and made him think that, after all, there
are thorns in a coronet.
Business done.—Arrears Bill mauled in Committee.
House of Commons. Tuesday Night.—The versatility of genius
triumphantly demonstrated to-night by Joseph Gillis. Too com-
mon tendency to regard this great man simply as an obstructionist.
Joseph, it is well known, can stop the car of legislation; but he can
also urge it forward. To-night this last his task. Municipal Cor-
porations Bill before House. Stupendous Bill of illimitable clauses.
Joseph had studied it, and saw way to several amendments. How
assumed Leadership of Opposition and struggled -with Minister in
charge.
Noteable how J. G.’s whole attitude was changed with varying
circumstance. The imitation sealskin waistcoat all very weU when
obstructing, and by reason of long usage convenient for placing
thumbs in arm-holes. But for serious legislation a little lacking in
ceremony. To-night Joseph appears decently dressed in black with
a silver watch-guard hanging across his waistcoat. (Puleston says
he came down in a four-wheeler.) Oratorical attitude also changed
to suit circumstances. Ho more thumb in arm-hole of waistcoat, and
right hand extended in domination of the House. _ Joseph holds in
his left hand copy of the Bill, the fingers of his right being lightly
disposed in his trouser pocket. J. G. has seen Mr. Parnell stand
thus when making a serious speech, and amongst further evidence
of early origin that would have delighted the late Mr. Darwin,
Joey B. has a great faculty of imitation.
During the course of discussion the Alderman exploded—not
Alderman Fowler but Alderman Lawrence. Firth had been
saying nasty things about the London Corporation. Alderman
Lawrence sitting close by separated by the Gangway, with difficulty
controlled his emotion whilst Firth talked about 1 ‘ nest of corrup-
tion,” and so on. When he sat down Alderman rose, and with left
hand in bosom of his waistcoat, and right extended (“for all the
world like Napoleon crossing the Alps,” as Mr. Caine said),
The Cut Direct.
Lord S-lb-rne to Lord Br-b-rne.
; Don’t know yar! ”