_House, of Commons, Monday, June 29_.--Early promise of JAMES BAIN,
Knight, begins to be realised. Created profound sensation on night he
took his seat, by walking about with his hat on. SPEAKER down on him
with swift stern reproof. BAIN couldn't make out what all the bother
was about. Seeing a friend on Bench below him, thought he would go
and have a chat with him. Members seated all about had their hats on;
he had cautiously mounted his without reproof, and now, when he moved
three steps with his hat on, Members howled, "Order! order!" and
SPEAKER joined in the cry. Six or seven Members having explained to
him that though a Member may wear his hat when seated, the stability
of the Constitution is imperilled if he does not uncover when he
moves, albeit a step, to the right or left, the new Member passed
remainder of sitting in safety.
[Illustration: Barran de Leeds.]
Next night in his place when BARTLEY was speaking from corner seat
below Gangway, BAIN on top Bench behind. Thought he would stroll out.
Not going to be caught again moving about with his hat on. Carefully
took it off, and holding it firmly in right hand, walked with springy
steps down Gangway and, crossing between BARTLEY and the Chair, made
for the door. As he emerged in full view, there went up from a hundred
throats such a howl of indignation that BAIN stood stock still; stared
round with look of astonishment. Were they howling at him? No doubt
about it. SPEAKER also calling "Order! order!" in those thrillingly
solemn tones. What had he done now? hat in his hand; could someone
else's by any chance have got on his head? Passed his left hand over
massive brow. No, all right. Best thing to do would be to get off
premises as quickly as possible. So BAIN bolted.
"My dear fellow," said BARRAN, running after him, "you know you
mustn't do that any more. You're a young man, and I'm an old one. I
know all the ropes in this machine. When you want anything ask me."
"Well," said BAIN, "since you are so kind, I'd like to ask you what
I've done now?"
"Done?" cried BARRAN, "why you've crossed between a Member on his legs
and the Chair. If you wanted to go out, you should have gone round by
the back of the Bench."
After this BAIN disappeared for some days. Getting coached up in
Parliamentary practice. Back to-night and made maiden speech. Quite
delightful; button-holed House as it were; informed Members he was
sent there with a mandate; incidentally mentioned that he was a
Magistrate in several counties; waved his arm in defiance of School
Board and sat down, after declaiming, with much animation, a new and
original peroration. "Gentlemen," he said,--"I mean Mr. SPEAKER, I'm
for the Bill, the whole Bill, and nothing but the Bill."
This would have been speech of the evening only for HENRY FOWLER's.
That admirable in every way; a distinct and far advance on a
Parliamentary position won by sheer hard work and ability; an epoch in
a Parliamentary career already notable for its steady progress. Pity
Mr. G. wasn't present to witness the triumph of the most promising of
his recruits of the '80 Parliament.
_Business done_.--HENRY FOWLER's Instruction to Education Bill
negatived by 267 against 166.
_Tuesday_.--"My studies as you know, dear TOBY, have not specially
lain in the domain of history," said Professor STOKES, in the course
of a brief address delivered to me in a corner of the Library. "The
pure dry light of mathematics has had an irresistible attraction for
me. Possibly, therefore, I am wrong in some more or less immaterial
points when I say that, since the time of WARWICK, we have had no one
prominently in English public affairs with quite the same influence
as is possessed by my Right Hon. friend JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN. The time
is gone by when kings were made and unmade. But my Right Hon. friend
has done more than anyone to make the present Ministry possible,
and, having made them, he claims the right to direct, and, in some
respects, even to mould their policy. A very curious phenomenon, very
curious indeed. If you were not so evidently in a hurry, I should like
to dilate upon it."
[Illustration: "The pure dry light of Mathematics."]
A good deal in what the Professor says; CHAMBERLAIN, as a rule, most
considerate in his attitude. At much pains to preserve an appearance
suitable to a Gentleman who sits on the Opposition Benches, and is
supposed to know no more of the secret councils and intentions of
the Ministry than anyone else in same quarter of House. Made a slip
in earlier stages of Education Bill; talked about "Our Bill," and
disclosed familiarity with its details remarkable since, at the time
he spoke, it was not printed. Doesn't blunder twice along same road.
Pretty to see him yesterday inviting LORD-ADVOCATE across the table to
explain details of measure, he asked leave to introduce, dealing with
state of things in Highlands and Islands of Scotland. CHAMBERLAIN
being much interested in question, having marked it for his own, might
be supposed to have been consulted by LORD-ADVOCATE before Bill was
drafted. All a mistake. JOSEPH knew no more about it than an ordinary
Member of Opposition, and would be much obliged if LORD-ADVOCATE would
briefly sketch his Bill.
To-night, on Committee on Education Bill, MUNDELLA moved Amendment
extending beyond fourteen years limit of age at which fee grants would
be made. DYKE obdurate. JOKIM wrung his hands, and protested thing
couldn't be done. Hour after hour Debate went forward, Ministers
refusing to budge; JOSEPH chanced to look in after dinner; thinks it
would be well to accept Amendment; says so in brief incisive speech,
a very model of debate; and OLD MORALITY straightway capitulates.
Remarkable state of things; as a study more interesting even than
mathematics.
_Business done_.--Education Bill in Committee.
_Thursday_.--Land Purchase Bill came on in Lords for Committee stage.
House unusually crowded; quite animated in appearance; when at
length it gets into Committee LORD CHANCELLOR leaves Woolsack and,
still wearing wig and gown, lends new air of grace and dignity to
Ministerial Bench. Sits between MARKISS and ASHBOURNE. Wonder what the
MARKISS thinks of him? For a cheerful, social, soothing hour, imagine
nothing more supreme than the confidences of the MARKISS in respect to
some half-dozen other of his colleagues.
[Illustration: Lord Colchester.]
Before Committee is reached, The MCCULLUM MORE comes to front, and
modestly engrosses attention. Other Peers prepared, once in while,
to buckle down to hard night's work, fighting over Clauses of Bill
in Committee. That sort of obscure labour might suit them, but not
the thing to attract the MCCULLUM MORE. Had already enjoyed himself
on Second Reading, delivering one of those orations which, as
COLCHESTER says, may be magnificent but are not debate. That should
have satisfied vanity of ordinary man; but the MCCULLUM MORE not
an ordinary man. There were several things he forgot to say in the
speech. Others had occurred to him since. He might, without stopping
progress of business, work them off in Committee; but in Committee he
must needs stand on level with ordinary Peers anxious to get on with
business, and his observations would probably not be reported. Thing
to do was to move Instruction to Committee. This would bring him on
first thing in a full House, before Peers had wearied themselves with
application to real business. So gave notice of Instruction. Doesn't
matter in what terms; sufficient that he was able to deliver his
speech. MARKISS a little sarcastic in begging him _not_ to press
Instruction. Nobody showed inclination to debate it, but it had served
its turn. Having delivered his speech, The MCCULLUM MORE stalked off
home, leaving to others the drudgery of Committee work.
_Business done_.--Land Bill through Committee in Lords.
_Friday Night_.--Education Bill through Committee. Last scene of all
a little lively owing to revolt on Conservative side. RICHARD TEMPLE
led it in speech of unwonted eloquence. Quite overflowing wealth of
imagery: described School Board as the ogre that eats up everything;
that enough by way of description; but TEMPLE rising to fresh heights,
went on to characterise it as the thin edge of the wedge.
Capital speech of quite another kind from JENNINGS. As the Member
for Sark says, JENNINGS when he has anything to say to the House of
Commons _talks_, doesn't speechify; style excellent, and so is the
matter. House would like to hear a little oftener from JENNINGS; due
to it from Stockport who has also sent us GEDGE.
_Business done_.--Education Bill through Committee.
* * * * *