[Illustration: "Francis George."]
_House of Commons, Monday, June_ 13.--House filled up in marvellous
style to-night. Through all last week Benches nearly empty; the few
Members present sunk in depths of depression. To-night, scene changed;
Benches crowded; buzz of conversation testified to ill-repressed
excitement. Mr. G., amongst others, back in his place. "And looking
uncommonly fit too," says FRANCIS GEORGE, Viscount BARING; "not at all
sure he won't, after all, outlive Our JOE. At any rate, he's in fine
condition for the little mill that's coming off."
[Illustration: "Scenting the Battle from afar."]
What everyone gathered to hear was Prince ARTHUR's views as to date
of Dissolution. He has, up to now, successfully maintained attitude
of absolute ignorance that Dissolution is even pending. Up to to-night
the blessed word on everyone's tongue has not passed his lips. When,
a fortnight ago, Mr. G. diplomatically approached topic, the Prince,
with charmingly puzzled look, talked of something else. Nearest
approach he can bring himself to make to topic, is to refer to
arrangements of public business. This afternoon, when he stood at
Table, a ringing cheer went up from serried hosts of Ministerialists;
answered by closed-up ranks of Opposition. "Ha! ha!" said STUART,
scenting the battle from afar, "that is the first challenge and
reply in the great fight. Soon as BALFOUR's finished I shall take the
Shoreditch 'bus, and look up my Constituents at Hoxton."
Prince ARTHUR, with eyebrows slightly raised, stood waiting for
opportunity to speak; evidently marvelling at this unwonted and
unaccountable outburst of clamour. When it ceased, he observed, quite
incidentally, that perhaps it would be convenient for him to make a
statement "as to prospects of concluding business before termination
of the Session." The Session, note. Not the life of Parliament, nor
anything to do with so disturbing a thing as Dissolution. Kept this
up through long business statement; only at conclusion accidentally
stumbled on the word, and then regarded the prospect as so
uninteresting and immaterial, that he could not come nearer to its
contemplation than an interval of seven days. Not before the end
of one week, and not after the middle of another, was as near as he
thought it worth while to approach such trifling contingency.
_Business done._--A great deal.
_Tuesday._--Quite touching to observe SQUIRE OF MALWOOD's friendly
interest in progress of public Bills. GORST, in arranging business
of Sitting, anxious not to appear too grasping, put down only limited
number of Bills on Orders. "Why not put down all you've got?" the
Squire asks, with mildly benevolent glance bent on Treasury Bench.
"Supposing list is run through, there is end of your opportunity;
whereas, if you put 'em all down you're ready to benefit by any
accident, and may some night do wonderful stroke of business, working
everything off."
[Illustration: MR. GLADSTONE has addressed a letter to the
Press:--"SIR,--The requests addressed to me by Liberal friends ... for
personal visits, speeches, and letters have at this juncture become so
numerous that it is impossible to reply to them,... or to do more than
to assure them that my time and thoughts are incessantly applied to
the best mode I can devise to the promotion of our common cause."]
Prince ARTHUR listens attentively, regarding with questioning look the
Grand Grey Figure on other side of Table. "When I was at school," he
says, "we were taught, in a foreign tongue, a maxim about fearing
the Greeks when they brought presents. Not quite sure the right Hon.
Gentleman is chiefly concerned for interests of Government and advance
of public business. But I'll consider his suggestion."
[Illustration: "Big with indignation."]
Business advancing by leaps and bounds; attendance small; Opposition
effaced itself; only CLARK and ALPHEUS CLEOPHAS take objection to
anything. Being in Committee of Supply they naturally want to know
about things. The Squire privily approaches them in turn and entreats
them to desist, which they regretfully do. Presently trouble breaks
out in fresh quarter. FERGUSSON takes opportunity on Post Office Vote
to ask Candidates at forthcoming Election to ignore appeal made to
them by Telegraph Clerks for pledge to vote for Select Committee to
inquire into working of Telegraph service. Says Mr. G. and Squire
concur with him in his protest. This brings up GEORGE HOWELL, big with
indignation at what he calls "a conspiracy against the Working Men
of the country." HARRY LAWSON and STOREY join in. FERGUSSON sorry he
spoke; didn't mean anything; Opposition mollified; vote agreed to.
_Business done._--Supply closed.
_Thursday._--Mr. G. hurried in just now, a little late. Been these two
hours at Carlton Gardens wrestling with representatives of the British
workman on Eight Hours' Question. A little out of breath with skipping
upstairs and running along corridor to be in time. Otherwise, as fresh
as if his afternoon had been spent lounging on lawn at Dollis Hill,
where the other night the Archbishop of CANTERBURY went to dine
with him. Wants to know about the date of Dissolution. It will be
convenient, he says, "at least, for those who have youth and vigour
sufficient again to submit themselves to the constituencies." Mr.
G.'s face wrinkled into smile as he uttered this witticism. House
spontaneously burst into cheer as hearty on the Conservative side as
with Opposition.
Rattling on with business. SPEAKER out of breath with putting the
question and declaring "the Ayes have it." Irish Education Bill not
only passed Committee, but reported and read a Third Time. SEXTON sits
content, having done good stroke of work in amending Bill. Managed
affair with skill, address and indomitable perseverance. Resisted all
temptation to make long speeches; pegged away at his Amendments, and
carried the most important in teeth of the Ulstermen.
"All very well," said DUNBAR BARTON, "JACKSON giving way to those
fellows, and Prince ARTHUR saying, as TOOLE does on the House-boat,
'Oh, it's nothing!' It may be nothing to him, but it's a good deal
to us. MACARTNEY and I have done our duty. For myself I shall say no
more. I was christened DUNBAR BARTON. Henceforth let me be known as
DUM BARTON."
_Business done._--More than ever.
_Friday._--Met BROOKFIELD in corridor just now. Capital fellow
BROOKFIELD, though not very well known in House, much less to
fame outside. Was in the 13th Hussars; is now promoted to the
Lieutenant-Colonelcy of 1st Cinque Ports Rifle Volunteers. Has sat for
Rye these seven years, but never yet spoke. This the more remarkable
since he is a trained student of art of public speaking; has, indeed,
just written profound treatise on the business. FISHER UNWIN sent me
copy from Paternoster Square. Sat up all night reading it. The speech
of "our worthy Member," proposing "The Town and Trade of X," is
thrilling. Another, put into the mouth of "the youngest bachelor
present," responding for "the Ladies," makes your flesh creep.
BROOKFIELD's idea novel and ingenious. Sets forth what he calls a
conventional speech. This fills up Column A. In Column B. he comments
on it, rather severely sometimes; in Column C. throws out suggestions
which, duly followed, make speech perfect. All possible occasions
are dealt with, whether responding for Bishop and Clergy, Army, Navy,
Reserve Forces, House of Commons, or House of Lords. BROOKFIELD,
moreover, goes behind the scenes; shows the wretched man who has to
make speech preparing it. You see him making up his mind what he has
to say; jotting down a note; revising it after asking everyone he
meets what he thinks of it. Then you write out your speech; learn it
off; get up to address company; things swim before your eyes; tongue
cleaves to roof of mouth; and you sit down.
[Illustration: An Apt Pupil.]
Admirable book: useful on all occasions of daily life; invaluable
on eve of General Election. Surprised to find BROOKFIELD looking
miserably dejected. Tell him he ought to be quite otherwise. Explains
that, fact is, means to catch SPEAKER's eye. Parliament can't last
many more days; hasn't made maiden speech yet; must do it now, or
never; Rye getting anxious. Could I give him a few hints? With
great pleasure; full of the subject. Begin at the beginning. Ideas;
memoranda; methods: (a) The arrangement of speech, (b) the management
of the voice, (c) attitude or gesture. On this last I am very
particular. "Holding up one finger," I say, "is a favourite way of
bespeaking special attention to some 'point' which you are trying to
make; and waving the right hand, with outstretched arm, the forefinger
leading, is an easy and not ungraceful method of illustrating the
narrative portion of your speech. For the more vehement passages,
a sudden flourish of the hand upwards, over your head, generally
accompanies some aggressive, triumphant assertion, such as, 'I care
not _who_ he may be!' And a similar movement downwards, with both
hands, would indicate some indignant complaint, such as, 'And _never_,
from that day to this, have they fulfilled their promise.'"
"Excellent!" cried LEVESON-GOWER, who, as I spoke, involuntarily waved
the right hand, the forefinger leading.
"Yes." said BROOKFIELD, looking a little more uneasy than before;
"very clear, and to the point; but fancy--er--I've heard it before."
"Of course you have," I said. "It's in your book; see page 123. Mind
you let me know when your speech in the House is coming off, After
reading _The Speaker's A B C_, I wouldn't miss it for anything."
_Business done._--Dissolution postponed.
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