Members of the House of Commons have read with a thrill of interest
Lord HENRY BRUCE's letter to his constituents, announcing his
intention not to offer himself for re-election in North West Wilts.
Full five years Lord HENRY has sat in the House. He has rarely joined
in debate, but the manner of his occasional interposition was always
notable. He slowly rose, placed one hand in his trousers' pocket,
looked round the House and said nothing. Then, when the SPEAKER
was about to call on someone else, Lord HENNY blurted forth a few
sentences, the end generally coming first, and having apparently said
about half what he meant to say, abruptly sat down. But the House,
with keen instinct, always recognised the heaven-born orator, and knew
his time would come. It has come with the opportunity of writing this
letter, which is full of beautiful things. "I deprecated," says
Lord HENRY, reviewing his distinguished Parliamentary career, "the
surrendering of an ancient dependency like Heligoland, and which
has since been strongly fortified, to satiate a shadowy claim of the
GERMAN EMPEROR to the Island of Zanzibar." To satiate a shadowy claim
is good. Space forbids quotation of more than one additional sentence
from this masterpiece. "Let me conclude by saying, that I trust
whoever may succeed me in North-West Wilts will wear ELIJAH's mantle
with the same pleasure as I have already done." What that means no man
can say.
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[Illustration: The Editor of the "Welsh Review."]
We are glad to learn that Lord HENRY BRUCE's retirement from
Parliamentary life does not imply absolute withdrawal from public
affairs. Since the appearance of his letter, there has been a rush
upon him by able Editors and Magazines. He has undertaken to write
to the _Twentieth Century_ an Article on "Recent Ministerial
Appointments." Mr. BOWEN ROWLANDS, M.P., Q.C., has also been in
communication with him. "The very man for the _Welsh Review_," says
the enthusiastic Editor.
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We learn from a reliable source that LORD HENRY BRUCE has intimated to
Mr. AKERS-DOUGLAS that, in the event of his being selected to Move or
Second the Address at the opening of the New Session, he will appear
in Elijah's mantle. It is to be hoped Lord SALISBURY, offended, as he
is understood to be, at Lord HENRY's frank criticism, will not ignore
this proposal. The House of Commons will be much gratified to find
itself relieved from the monotony of the uniform--alternately Militia
Colonel and Post-Captain--which mars the success of an interesting
ceremonial.
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The heading, "The Royal Engagement," which appears daily in two of the
morning papers does, not, as appears at first sight, indicate warlike
preparations in Royal circles. The allusion meant is to the Royal
Betrothal.
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NAME WANTED.--There are a considerable number of Ladies' Clubs, where
matrons and spinsters can commingle. Now 'tis proposed to start a
Spinsters' Club, only Spinsters eligible. What shall it be called?
Spinning is associated with Spinster, but recent events at Cambridge
make the use of the word somewhat objectionable. How would "The
Arachne" do? Or as Omphale assumed the attire of Hercules, and tried
to wield the club, why not call one of these the Omphale?
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OLD SONG, ADAPTED TO THE OCCASION (_by one who wasn't asked to the
Marquis of Salisbury's party_).--"_I dreamt that I supp'd in Marble
Halls_," &c., &c.
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[Illustration: IN CONFIDENCE.
"MUMMY DEAR, WHO'S PAPPA'S MOTHER-IN-LAW?" "MY MOTHER, DEAR,--YOUR
GRANDMAMMA."
"Oh--(_Considering._)--DO YOU THINK GRANDMAMMA WOULD TAKE A PRIZE AT
THE CAT SHOW?"
"ETHEL, DEAR! WHAT _DO_ YOU MEAN?" "WELL, MUMMY DEAR, I HEARD PAPPA
SAY THAT, IN THE WHOLE COURSE OF HIS LIFE HE HAD NEVER COME ACROSS
'SUCH AN OLD TABBY AS HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW'!"]
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