[Illustration: Head of a Chapter.]
THE Bishops are considering the "Amen-Corner" Amen-ments to the
Catechism. _Dr. Punch_ happening to drop into the Upper House as a cool
retreat on a July day, reminded their Lordships of the touching appeal
of _Little Billee_ when he went "down upon his bended knees" to the
inhuman _Gorging Jack_ and _Guzzling Jimmy_, imploring a short respite
in these words:--
"O let me say my Catechism
As my poor mother taught to me."
And _Mr. P._ asked the Upper House to pause before adding another burden
to the sorely tried child on a hot Sunday. Also the learned Doctor of
Divinity wished to ask why, when amending, is it considered necessary to
preserve the prim archaic style of English, which is nowadays only
associated with the strictest Quaker, and which is so suggestive of
formality and unreality? Why say "What meanest thou," and so forth? It
was Puritanical; now it is pedantic. The Bishops agreed with _Mr.
Punch_, but the Thermometer being 120 deg., they adjourned to the "Wholly
Shade," adjoining the lawn-tennis ground.
It is pleasant to record how something was done in the House of Laymen.
Lord NELSON said he had received a blow on the head,--from a draught.
The President wanted to know if it was a draught of a resolution? Lord
NELSON explained that it wasn't. He had alluded to an air-draught. He
wished to propound the old theological question, "_Cur induit albam
Millerus tegulam?_" with its answer, "_Ut caput servat calidum_."
("_Hear, hear!_") He wished to know whether, for the reason above
mentioned, he might wear his hat. The President remarked that he thought
it would be out of order if he did. Earl NELSON observed that he would
soon be out of order if he didn't, as he should have a severe cold. Mr.
HUBBARD, M.P., who is to be made a Peer, with the title of
Earl-y-CHURCHOUSE, was understood to say that if he wasn't allowed to
wear his hat, he knew he should have a _gravamen_ to-morrow. The
President then gave the required permission. Hats are now worn in the
House of Laymen.
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