Certainly his speech has depressing effect. Members, with one consent,
go out to think over what he is probably going to say. Convenient
arrangement for them, but does not add to hilarity of proceedings, or
vary impression CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN'S figure of speech conveys.
After BEACH, BIRRELL, with a new chapter of _Obiter Dicta_. Some of
the smartest things addressed to the empty seat where CHAMBERLAIN
should have been on view. But JOSEPH not yet come up out of Egypt. Had
he been here, and House a little fuller, the new chapter would have
gone off capitally. As things turned out, there was a fatal unreality
in situation, which House quick to realise. Pretty to see Members, as
BIRRELL struggled with his notes, involuntarily sniffing, as if they
recognised familiar whiff of midnight lamp.
* * * * *
[Illustration: "THE UPPER G."
"When the fair land of Poland
Was ploughed by the hoof
Of the ruthless invader until
The down-trodden serfs
With small hope and no 'oof'
Demanded a great Home-Rule Bill!"]
* * * * *
"Worst of these impromptus prepared beforehand," said ST. JOHN
BRODRICK, himself a master of spontaneous speech, "is, you never know
in what circumstances they may have to be delivered."
Towards midnight, some refreshment in the incursion of SWIFT MACNEILL.
Came up smiling; handing himself round, as it were, for inspection,
as sample of kind of persecution of Protestants that would follow
in Ulster on enactment of Home-Rule Bill. "I'm a Protestant, Mr.
SPEAKER," he shouted, beaming on the Chair, "and I'm sent here by
a majority of 2,500 Catholic peasants to represent an Ulster
Constituency."
SWIFT MACNEILL'S smile infectious. It illumined with something of
saintly halo the depressed figure of Dr. BARTON, who, again breaking
his vow of silence, confessed that yesterday he had been enrolled
as Member of an Organisation in Ulster sworn to resist Home-Rule. "I
don't know, Mr. SPEAKER," he said, in hoarse whisper, "what that
act may involve, and I don't care. It may lead to my spending the
remainder of my days in penal servitude." Whereat the jaded House
merrily laughed.
_Business done._--Second Reading Home-Rule Bill moved.
_Friday._--A dull night, my masters. Still harping on Home Rule.
Second night's debate on Second Reading. Naturally supposed to be
in heyday of vigour. But Benches empty; level of oratory third-rate;
STANSFELD a hoary Triton among the Minnows; ELLIS ASHMEAD BARTLETT
(Knight) gloomily views the scene. "Thought you were going to speak
to-night?" I said, "Read the announcement in the papers." Never forget
the haughty, withering glance of ELLIS ASHMEAD.
"Sir," he said, "I talk only with my peers."
So suppose we shall have him one day next week, when CHAMBERLAIN,
GRANDOLPH, and BALFOUR take part in fray. Begins to look as if, for
all practical purposes, might as well have deferred meeting of House
till Monday.
"Mr. G. a great man," says DAVITT. "Insisted upon us coming back on
Thursday, to debate Home-Rule Bill. He can do most things; he can
bring a horse to the water, but he can't make him debate."
_Business done._--Eight hours' talk round Home-Rule Bill.
[Illustration: The Hattitude of Dr. Tanner, Thursday morning, April 6.]
* * * * *