Punch (94.1888)

February 18, 1888.] PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI._™_

House of Commons, Thursday Night, February 9.—Saunderson quite
unhappy. Came down early this afternoon prepared for exciting doings. Air
full of rumour of war. Duncan, under cover of seconding the Address, came

down armed to the teeth. Parnellites
were to raise question of Privilege; Old
Morality was to introduce his new
pounce; and Arthur Baleocr had ten
Policemen disguised as waiters in the
dining-room. At given signal they were
to enter and arrest every Irish Memher
on. the premises. Hadn't heen such a
glorious prospect for years. Nothing to
equal it—except the absolute flatness of
the night's events. No question _ of
Privilege; no arrests. The disguised
waiters had nothing to "take up" but
the dinner. Ministerialists brought down
by urgent Whip left the House by
scores when their Leader rose to continue
debate; before midnight whole thing
miserably died out.

Gladstone hope-
lessly infected with
Duncan comes here to-night. prevailing spirit. Fol-

Tne gracious Duncan ! lowed Moyer &nd

Macbeth. Seconder of Address.
"Nowwe'11 have it," said Saunderson, shifting shillelagh
to left-hand coat-tail pocket. But we didn't have it at all.
Gladstone almost blessed Ministers, approved their pro-
gramme, and promised assistance in making it a legislative
Session.

"Call that a Grand Old Man?" the Colonel muttered
between clenched teeth; "I call him a Mild Old Muff."

Up to last moment some hope lingered round Pyne. After
hanging out on his castle walls for weeks and months, turned
up to-day under the very nose of Arthur Balfour.

"So you've let yourself down to this?" said Laic aha,
looking in to hear the writ moved for Dundee. "Better
where you were. As for me, can't approve the way Oppo-
sition is carried on, so gave up my seat. If you could spare
a. quarter of an hour, L'd explain, in fuller detail, my reasons
for resigning."

"Excuse me," said Ptne. "Whipped out coil of rope whioh
was wound round his waist; hitched one end over rail of
Peers Gallery with neatness only attainable after long prac-
tice ; went up hand over hand with amazing celerity.

" Don't wait," he said looking down on amazed ex-
Member for Dundee. " Think I see a Policeman coming."

"How very abrupt!" LaicaITA said, gladder than ever "How very abrupt!

he had left the House of Commons. Business done.—
Address moved.

Friday Nig ht—" They' ve picked Pine at last, J hear,"
said Wilfrid Lawson to Sage of Queen Anne's Gate.

" Well," said Sage, "he was getting,a little over-ripe,
don't you think ? A man can't hang out for months over
his castle wall, even in Ireland, without going to the bad."

Incidents of the arrest quite dramatic. When Pyne
left House early this morning, Police on his track—but he
got away. Might have been all right if he'd stayed
away. But duty first. So he took penny 'bus to bottom
of Parliament Street. Observed Police in charge of main
gateways to Palace Yard.; skirted railings, descended
steps by Clock Tower. A few more steps, and he would
be safe within the precinots.

"I must dissemble," said the Chatelain of Lisfarny
Castle. So he
thrust his
hands in his

Eockets, raised
is shoulders
in vain at-
tempt to hide
his face, and
vaguely whis-
tled "■Erin Go
Bragh." But
all in vain.
Hawk eye of
policeman
spotted him.
" Mr. Pyne,
I presume ?"
said represen-
tative of Law
and Order,
just as if he
had come upon
Dr. Living-
stone in the
wilds of Cen-
tral Africa.

Pyne's hand
at his belt like
flash of_ light

other moment A 7?ne> who re1uires a great deal of forcing,
rope would have been unwound, and he would have been
half-way up the Clock Tower. But the Policeman too
quick for him. Seized the rope, which served conve-
niently for binding the prisoner, and so he was carried
off to the lowest dungeon beneath the Castle Moat.

At least, that's what Joseph Glllis tells me. The
sketch was taken by Our Own Artist, who was provi-
dentially on the spot.

This pretty well to begin with.; But more to follow.
Soon as Speaker had taken Chair, Gilhoolt rose and
gave notice, " On Monday to ask for leave to bring in a
Bill for the better housing of the working-classes." A
seraphic smile crossed Arthur Balfour's face as he
listened. " My dear friend," he sweetly murmured, " I
have made arrangements for your own better housing
long before Monday."

Chief Secretary was overheard. Beport got wind, and
Gilhoolt was marked as a doomed man. Everybody said
he would be arrested when he left the House.

" Then why leave it ? " said Joey B. "I've slept on
two chairs in the Lib'ry meself. If you '11 be lonely,
we'll keep the House sitting all'night to wake you.
Only say the word."

Gilhoolt pressed the patriot's hand, but too moved to
say any word. Walked about the House; took affec-
tionate leave of familiar places. House up at quarter-
past eleven. Gilhoolt walked forth with unfaltering
step. Crowd of Members followed in silent procession.
Big Ben tolled forth the half-hour. Most impressive
scene. Only wanted presence of Chaplain to complete
analogy that struck everybody. At the gateway Police-
man posted. At proper cue, Gilhoolt arrested, and, for
better housing, taken over to police cell in Whitehall
Place. Business done.—Irish minority reduced by two.

" Hall Marked."—Clever Mr. S. Hall, of the Chan-
cery Bar, has just " taken silk." As a leader, he shouia
be "on velvet."