Punch (102.1892)

276 PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. [June 4, 1892.

monotone, in which case one could have slept.
Nolan was evidently arguing in _ incisive
manner, shirking no obstacle, avoiding no
point in the Bill, or any hit made by previous
speaker. His voice rose and fell with con-
vincing modulation. He seemed to be always
dropping into an aside, which led him into
another, that opened a sort of Clapham
Junction of converging points. One after
the other, the Colonel, with full steam up,
ran along; when he reached terminus of
siding, racing back at sixty miles an hour ;
and so up and down another. _ Only guessed
this from modulation of his voice and the in-
telligent nodding of the head with which
he compelled the attention of Attobney-
Genebal for Ibeland. For just over half
an hour he kept up this pace, and, saving a
trot for the avenue, fell back into his seat
gasping for breath, having concluded a
sentence nine hundred words long worked off
in three minutes by the astonished clock.

An interval of T. W. Russell, with one
of his adroitly - argued, lucidly - arranged
speeches. Then Mr. G. and transformation
scene. House tilled up as if by magic. In
ten minutes not a seat vacant on floor ; Mem-
bers running into Side Gallery, nimbly hop-
ping over Benches, to get on front line so as
to watch as well as hear the last and the
greatest of the old Parliamentarians. As
suddenly and swiftly as the House had filled,
the limp lay figure of the Debate throbbed
with life. Scene of the kind witnessed only
once or twice in Session. Six hundred pair of eyes all turned
eagerly upon figure standing at Table, denouncing with uplifted arm,
and voice ringing with indignation, the iniquities of the Mabkiss,
safely absent, and of his nephew, Prince Abthub, serenely present.

A great speech; an a chievement which,
if it stood alone, sufficient to make a
reputation. And yet, when result of
Division announced, it was found that
majority of an iniquitous Government
had run up to 92 !

Everyone delighted to hear
the interesting news froni 27,
St. James's Place, which gives
an heir to the Spencer Earl-
dom, and has spread a feel-
ing of joy and contentment
throughout Althorpe and
Mid-Northamptonshire. The
latest news, brought down
just now by Mabjobibanks, is
"Bobby is doing as well as
can be expected." Business
done.—Irish Local Govern-
ment Bill read Second Time,
by 339 votes against 247.

Wednesday. — Hail ! Sir
Henby Wiggle, Bart, M.P.;
B.B.K., as Abthdb Obton
called himself when resident
in the wilds of Australia, and
explained that the style im-
• T. W. ported Baronet of the British

King-dom. Now we know what was the meaning of that foray upon
the House the other day, when, with the Chairman in the Chair, and
Committee fully constituted, the waggish Wiggin walked adown
the House, with his hat cocked on one side of his head, in defiance of
Parliamentary etiquette. The Birthday Gazette was even then being
drafted, and to-day the wanton Wiggin is Sir Henby, Baronet of
the United Kingdom. Not a more popular announcement in the list.
An honest, kindly, shrewd Wiggin it is, with a face whose genial
smile all people, warming under it, instinctively return.
Business done.—Wiggin made B B.K.

Thursday.—Quite a long time reaching Vote on Account; two
hours taken for discussion of Birmingham Water Bill; Gentlemen
in Radical camp much exercised about size of fish in streams annexed
for purposes of Birmingham water supply. Chambeblain, who has
charge of Bill, says he never caught one longer than two inches.
Dillwyn protests that fishins: in same waters he rarely caught one
less than a pound weight. Evidently a mistake somewhere. House
perplexed, finally passed Bill through Committee.

I hen Rev. Sam Smith wants to know more about Polynesian
Labour Traffic. The Noble Babon who has charge of Colonial

OVERHEARD AT EARL'S COURT.

Old Buffer. "Ugh I I'm tired to death of being Hunted ! Blessed if I'll bun
away from those Blank Cartridges again !"

Broncho. "Yes, you bet! And I've made up my mind to quit Bucking. It's
perfectly sickening having to do it from Year's end to Year's end !"

affairs in Commons, whilst controverting all his statements, says
" everyone must admit that the Hon. Member has spoken from his
heart." " Which," Novab says, "it reminds me of the couplet Joe
^ Gargery meant to put on the tomb-

stone of his lamented father, ' What-
sume'er the failings on his part,
Remember, reader, he were that good
in his hart.' "

At length in Committee of Supply;
Vote on Account moved; Mr. G. on
his feet wanting to know
you know ; doesn't once
mention the Dissolution ;
but puts it to Prince Ab-
thub whether, really, the
time hasn't come when
House should learn some-
thing with respect to inten-
tions of Government touch-
ing" finance, their principal
Bills, and, in short, " so far
foreshadowing the probable
termination of the Session ? "
Wouldn't on any account
hurry him ; any day he likes
will do ; only getting time
something should be said.
Prince Abthub, gratefully
acknowledging Mr. G.'s kind
way of putting it, agreed
1 ho Noble Baron. with his view. Some day he

will tell us something ; to-day he will say nothing. A pretty bit
of by-play ; excellently done by both leading Gentlemen; perfectly
understood by laughing House.
Business done.—Shadow of Dissolution gathering close.
Friday.—I see Tay Pay, in the interesting Sunday journal he
admirably edits, reproaches me because, in this particular page of
history, " Mr. Sexton," he says, "is derided constantly and shame-
fully." Anglice : Occasionally when, in a faithful record of Parlia-
mentary events, Sexton's part in the proceedings must needs be
noticed, it is gentlv hinted that among his many admirable quali-
ties terseness of diction is not prominent. In fact he has been
sometimes alluded to by the playful prefix Windbag. If Tay
Pay had been content to administer reproof, it would have been
well. But he goes on to discuss Sexton's parliamentary style, and
comes to this conclusion:—" Mr. Sexton's one fault as a speaker is
that he does not proportion his observations sufficiently at certain
stages in his speeches; and that preparation sometimes has the effect
of tempting him to over-elaboration." If Tay Pay likes to put it
that way, no one can object. Only, space in this journal being more
valuable, the same thing is said in a single word.
Business done.—Small Holdings Bill sent on to the Lords.

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