(_Diary of the week's doings, from our own Correspondent on
the Spot._)
_Monday._--Matters are still very unsettled, and it will take some
time before public confidence is entirely restored. The policy of the
President in defending the Tramways Extension Bill from the citadel
with grape-shot is condemned as an unwise stretch of the provisions of
the Constitution. It has caused a reorganisation in the Cabinet,
the Secretary for the Interior having resigned, taking with him six
regiments of cavalry, four battalions of infantry, and three brigades
of artillery. This desertion has naturally lessened the chance of the
Employers' Liability Amendment Bill passing this session except at
the point of the bayonet. The division on the first reading of the
Telegraph State Construction Bill was Ayes, 50 killed, 3 wounded;
Noes, 12 killed, 172 wounded. Should this measure pass its second
reading it will be opposed from barricades in committee.
_Tuesday._--Trade shows some signs of revival, but the continual
bombardment of the Stock Exchange by the opposition fleet in the
offing causes considerable confusion and annoyance. The Minister of
War has retired into a parliamentary cave accompanied by the militia.
It is considered not improbable that this member of the ministry may
throw his ammunition into the scale against his colleagues. The Pauper
Property Insurance Bill has not much chance of passing during the
present year, unless its supporters can bombard the capital. The
second reading of the Lunacy Acts Consolidation Bill was passed with
the assistance of three ironclads and a torpedo catcher. In spite
of the pacific turn that events are now taking, some of the older
inhabitants express considerable uneasiness.
_Wednesday._--The British Consul has given notice that he will hold
the ministry responsible for the damage done to his residence. On
account of the bombardment he and his family have been forced to
reside in a distant greenhouse. The remainder of the consulate is
razed to the ground. This being the President's birthday, the hall of
the _bureau_ has been crowded with infernal machines sent as presents.
The loud ticking of the concealed machinery has caused several
complaints to be made to the _concierge_. The President and his family
have returned to the seaside. They are being hotly pursued by a large
body of cavalry, infantry, and artillery. However, on the whole the
outlook is brighter, and the trains and omnibuses have recommenced
running.
_Thursday._--The President has returned to the capital, as the
lodgings he had taken at the seaside were discovered by the rebel
fleet, and bombarded. The business of the session progresses slowly
but surely. The Minister for War, with the assistance of the Militia,
has secured the passing of the vote dealing with his department. He
led the charge in person that carried the "Ayes" Division Lobby. If it
were not for the constant bombardment of all the principal buildings,
and the occasional slaughter of Members of Parliament, things would be
almost normal. There is no doubt that the outlook is peaceful.
_Friday._.--Things still quieting down. Traffic in the main
thoroughfares is suspended, because the roads are required for charges
of cavalry, and the squares are now used for shell practice. The
fleet have approached closer. This, of course, causes some additional
damage; but as the populace can now hear the bands of the various
ships during the pauses in the bombardment, the arrangement is rather
popular than otherwise. The Government have apologised to the British
Consul for having blown up his house and stables. The incident
consequently is at an end. Several Members of the Cabinet have
accepted the Consul's invitation to lunch.
_Saturday._.--The Revolution is practically at an end. The fleet are
still bombarding the forts, and the military charge every ten minutes
the populace. The Judges, too, find cause for annoyance in the
constant invasion of the judicial bench by armed artisans. Most of
the fashionable part of the city is in flames, but this is a detail.
However, taking all things into consideration, peace and tranquillity
may be said to be now restored. Of course they are not exactly
the peace and tranquillity of Europe, but they are what people
are accustomed to over here. Should anything of further importance
transpire it shall be wired immediately; but to all appearance the
insurrection is at an end.
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[Illustration: HOW TO SPEND A PLEASANT EVENING!
["For the purposes of this production the orchestra has been enlarged,
so that some of the instrumentalists have to sit among the audience in
the stalls." _Daily Paper._]]
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