Sir W. Hart-Dyke, Sir James Fergusson, and the late Sir W. Forwood,
instead of openly resenting neglect, on more than one occasion went out
of their way to defend the colleagues of the Prime Minister who slighted
them. Mr. Wyndham was last Session not less generously loyal. Mr. Tommy
Bowles, it is true, has been on occasion fractious. As for Sir E.
Ashmead-Bartlett, when he recovered from the shock of realization that
Lord Salisbury had not only formed a Ministry without including him in
its membership, but looked as if he would be able to carry it on, he
showed signs of resentment. Through successive Sessions he has
sedulously endeavoured to embarrass an unappreciative Premier by
cunningly devised questions addressed to the Colonial Secretary or to
the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Mr. Chamberlain and Mr. Curzon
alike proved able to hold their own, and the Sheffield Knight coming out
to kick has found himself fulfilling the humble function of the
football.
[Illustration: THE HUMBLE FUNCTION OF THE FOOTBALL.]