DOI issue:
March 5, 1892
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.17693#0126
March 5, 1892.]
PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.
117
every English yeoman went to morning service with a stout yew bow
on his back, his quiver full of arrows ; shot a buck on his way back
(by permission of the landlord), and sat down to his midday meal
flanked by a tankard of chill October—at this stage, it is true, there
were signs of impatience amongst town-bred Radicals, who wanted
to know about the Bill.
But it was very beautiful, and those who, from natural taste, inborn
prejudice, or lamentable ignorance, did not care for it themselves,
could not fail to enjoy the supreme delight the occasion brought to
the Minister of Agriculture.
Business done.—Small Holdings Bill introduced.
Tuesday.—Two Bight Bev. Bishops, Lord Bishop of St. Asaph
and he of Salisbury, in Peers' Gallery for two or three hours to-
night ; attracted by debate on Welsh Disestablishment. Bishop of
Salisbury couldn't restrain his astonishment at scene.
'' One of the prof oundest and most important questions of the
day," he whispered in his right reverend brother's ear. "It is the
attack upon the outworks. Wales carried by the Liberation Society,
we shall have them leaping over the palings into our preserves.
Should have thought, now, the House of Commons would have been
seething with excitement; benches crowded; all the Princes of
Debate to the fore; cheers and counter-cheers filling the place.
Whereas there are not, I should say, more than eighteen Members
Ere sent whilst the stout Gentleman down there is demonstrating
ow much happier Wales is under the benediction of the Church
than she would be without. The whole thing reminds me, dear
St. Asaph, of—er—well, of an eight o'clock morning service in in-
clement weather,"
"You're young, brother Sarum," said St. Asaph, "young, of
course I mean, in contradistinction to Old Sarum. When you've
been a little longer in Parliamentary life, you '11 understand things
better. These empty benches, and the general appearance of being
horribly bored presented by the small congregation—which I may
say finds eloquent expression on the face of our friend John G.
Talbot—simply mean that they have heard all these speeches
before, and have made up their minds on the subject. They are
ready to vote, but they will not remain to hear the speeches. As
you say, in such circumstances it would appear more businesslike to
take the vote at once, and get along with other work. But that is
unparliamentary. This will be kept going till there is just time left
before the adjournment to divide. Then you'll see how dear is this
question to the hearts of our friends, and how virulent is the per-
sistence of the adversary."
Turned out exactly as the Lord Bishop had said. After half-past
ten, Members trooped down in scores. When Prince Arthur rose
to continue the debate he was hailed with ringing cheer from em-
battled host. Pretty to see how gentlemen to right of Speaker,
mustered for defence of the Church, were careful to contribute
to fitness of things by wearing the clerical white tie.
"Very nice indeed of them," said Young Sarum, rarely out so
late at night, but drawn back, after light repast, to watch the divi-
sion taken. " I could wish that, instead of the superabundance of
shirt-front displayed, our friends had selected more closely-buttoned
vests, and that their coat-collar fitted a little higher. But we can-
not have perfection, and the white tie at least indicates nice feeling."
Business done.—Proposal to disestablish Church [in Wales nega-
tived by 267 Votes against 220.
Wednesday.—Provand moved Second Reading Shop Hours' Bill,
and, what's more, carried it against Ministers. Campbell-Ban-
nermaist tells me that, though Scotch Members voted for Bill, result
has cast a gloom over them. Expecting Provand would lose, they
were all prepared to say, in casual way, "Ah, well, so the case is
non-provakd." Some had, indeed, gone so far as
commence to write letters home enshrining this joke.
These are now, of course, waste-paper. Pity oppor-
tunity lost. Scotch language not rich in provision
of similar openings for wit.
Business done.—Second Reading Shop Hours' Bill
carried. Rare opportunity for Scotch joke hopelessly
lost.
Thursday.—Mldleton brought London Fog on
again in Lords to-night. Asked the Markiss _ if
he would have any objection to appointment of Joint
Committee to inquire into the matter ? The Mar-
kiss a great artist in words ; suits his conversation
to the topic. His reply decidedly misty ; wouldn't
say yes or no; talked about Joint Committees being
a mysterious part of the Constitution ; didn't know
how they were to be appointed ; hinted at rupture
with Commons if proposal were made; wound up by
saying that if Motion for Committee were submitted,
he would do his best to induce their Lordships to
adopt it.
Strangers in Gallery puzzled by this speech. But
the Lords know all about it. Stratheden winked
at Campbell, and both noble Lords wagged their
head in admiration of Markiss's diplomacy; recog-
nise deep design in involved speech and well affected
hesitation.
Markiss, I hear, vexed with me letting the cat
—I mean the fog, out of the bag last week. Bat
dreams a Dream. 's everybody's secret. The Government have
made up their mind to go to the country on the
London Fog. This Joint Committee will be appointed_ with least
possible delay; a measure based on its Report will be carried throiigh
both Houses; everything will be ready for return of unsuspecting
Fog Fiend next November.
"Sorry you mentioned it prematurely, Toby," the Markiss said,
not unkindly. " But you only forestalled the announcement
by a few days. It's been in my mind for months. The cry of
Nurse Eendel taking care of her charge at Yalescure, St. Raphael, the Riviera.
Separation is growing a little shrill; Free Education hasn't done us
any good ; Small Holdings only so- so. The Fog's the thing!
Grappling with that, aU London rallies to our standard, and with
London at our back we can face the country."
Curious instance of association of ideas and sympathy. So
PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.
117
every English yeoman went to morning service with a stout yew bow
on his back, his quiver full of arrows ; shot a buck on his way back
(by permission of the landlord), and sat down to his midday meal
flanked by a tankard of chill October—at this stage, it is true, there
were signs of impatience amongst town-bred Radicals, who wanted
to know about the Bill.
But it was very beautiful, and those who, from natural taste, inborn
prejudice, or lamentable ignorance, did not care for it themselves,
could not fail to enjoy the supreme delight the occasion brought to
the Minister of Agriculture.
Business done.—Small Holdings Bill introduced.
Tuesday.—Two Bight Bev. Bishops, Lord Bishop of St. Asaph
and he of Salisbury, in Peers' Gallery for two or three hours to-
night ; attracted by debate on Welsh Disestablishment. Bishop of
Salisbury couldn't restrain his astonishment at scene.
'' One of the prof oundest and most important questions of the
day," he whispered in his right reverend brother's ear. "It is the
attack upon the outworks. Wales carried by the Liberation Society,
we shall have them leaping over the palings into our preserves.
Should have thought, now, the House of Commons would have been
seething with excitement; benches crowded; all the Princes of
Debate to the fore; cheers and counter-cheers filling the place.
Whereas there are not, I should say, more than eighteen Members
Ere sent whilst the stout Gentleman down there is demonstrating
ow much happier Wales is under the benediction of the Church
than she would be without. The whole thing reminds me, dear
St. Asaph, of—er—well, of an eight o'clock morning service in in-
clement weather,"
"You're young, brother Sarum," said St. Asaph, "young, of
course I mean, in contradistinction to Old Sarum. When you've
been a little longer in Parliamentary life, you '11 understand things
better. These empty benches, and the general appearance of being
horribly bored presented by the small congregation—which I may
say finds eloquent expression on the face of our friend John G.
Talbot—simply mean that they have heard all these speeches
before, and have made up their minds on the subject. They are
ready to vote, but they will not remain to hear the speeches. As
you say, in such circumstances it would appear more businesslike to
take the vote at once, and get along with other work. But that is
unparliamentary. This will be kept going till there is just time left
before the adjournment to divide. Then you'll see how dear is this
question to the hearts of our friends, and how virulent is the per-
sistence of the adversary."
Turned out exactly as the Lord Bishop had said. After half-past
ten, Members trooped down in scores. When Prince Arthur rose
to continue the debate he was hailed with ringing cheer from em-
battled host. Pretty to see how gentlemen to right of Speaker,
mustered for defence of the Church, were careful to contribute
to fitness of things by wearing the clerical white tie.
"Very nice indeed of them," said Young Sarum, rarely out so
late at night, but drawn back, after light repast, to watch the divi-
sion taken. " I could wish that, instead of the superabundance of
shirt-front displayed, our friends had selected more closely-buttoned
vests, and that their coat-collar fitted a little higher. But we can-
not have perfection, and the white tie at least indicates nice feeling."
Business done.—Proposal to disestablish Church [in Wales nega-
tived by 267 Votes against 220.
Wednesday.—Provand moved Second Reading Shop Hours' Bill,
and, what's more, carried it against Ministers. Campbell-Ban-
nermaist tells me that, though Scotch Members voted for Bill, result
has cast a gloom over them. Expecting Provand would lose, they
were all prepared to say, in casual way, "Ah, well, so the case is
non-provakd." Some had, indeed, gone so far as
commence to write letters home enshrining this joke.
These are now, of course, waste-paper. Pity oppor-
tunity lost. Scotch language not rich in provision
of similar openings for wit.
Business done.—Second Reading Shop Hours' Bill
carried. Rare opportunity for Scotch joke hopelessly
lost.
Thursday.—Mldleton brought London Fog on
again in Lords to-night. Asked the Markiss _ if
he would have any objection to appointment of Joint
Committee to inquire into the matter ? The Mar-
kiss a great artist in words ; suits his conversation
to the topic. His reply decidedly misty ; wouldn't
say yes or no; talked about Joint Committees being
a mysterious part of the Constitution ; didn't know
how they were to be appointed ; hinted at rupture
with Commons if proposal were made; wound up by
saying that if Motion for Committee were submitted,
he would do his best to induce their Lordships to
adopt it.
Strangers in Gallery puzzled by this speech. But
the Lords know all about it. Stratheden winked
at Campbell, and both noble Lords wagged their
head in admiration of Markiss's diplomacy; recog-
nise deep design in involved speech and well affected
hesitation.
Markiss, I hear, vexed with me letting the cat
—I mean the fog, out of the bag last week. Bat
dreams a Dream. 's everybody's secret. The Government have
made up their mind to go to the country on the
London Fog. This Joint Committee will be appointed_ with least
possible delay; a measure based on its Report will be carried throiigh
both Houses; everything will be ready for return of unsuspecting
Fog Fiend next November.
"Sorry you mentioned it prematurely, Toby," the Markiss said,
not unkindly. " But you only forestalled the announcement
by a few days. It's been in my mind for months. The cry of
Nurse Eendel taking care of her charge at Yalescure, St. Raphael, the Riviera.
Separation is growing a little shrill; Free Education hasn't done us
any good ; Small Holdings only so- so. The Fog's the thing!
Grappling with that, aU London rallies to our standard, and with
London at our back we can face the country."
Curious instance of association of ideas and sympathy. So