_House of Commons, Tuesday, Jan. 31st._--Back again in old place, with
SPEAKER in Chair, Mace on table, and Serjeant-at-Arms on guard. Nothing
changed except the Government. Some old familiar faces gone; others
replace them. Same old bustle, hearty greeting, and effusive
hand-shaking.
"There's only one thing," says ERSKINE, of Cardross, "that equals the
hilarity of the opening of a New Session, and that is the joy with which
the boys go off on the day of Prorogation."
ERSKINE been in the Chair by the cross-benches some years now. Naturally
growing philosophical; insensibly cultivates habit of sententious speech.
"Wonder you can be so garrulous, TOBY," he says, "considering the number
of Speeches you hear in a Session. We take in eloquence at the pores, and
I for one have no tendency toward exudation."
"Ah," I said, "perhaps that's the lack of exercise. Dear old GOSSET! he
was better off in that respect. Remember how he used to waltz up and down
between doorway and table with BRADLAUGH? A heavy partner, too,
especially taken after dinner. But, on score of health, not by any means
an undesirable variation on sedentary life."
"Well, well," said ERSKINE, whose forbears were out in '45, "we must hope
for the best." And the gallant Scot's hand involuntarily sought the hilt
of his sword as his keen eye roved over the Clan gathered below the
Gangway.
A little odd at first to see Mr. G. on the Bench to the right of SPEAKER,
Prince ARTHUR facing him on Opposition Bench. They seem to assume altered
position quite naturally. Mr. G. looks pretty much as he has done any
time these two years back. Eager, straight-backed, bright-eyed, smiling
gaily in response to cheer that greets him from at present undivided
majority.
"Pretty well, thank you, TOBY. Only one thing the matter with me, and
that, you know, doesn't mend as the years pass. Looking over MCCULLAGH
TORRENS' book the other day, I noted what DIZZY said when that genial
statesman, the former Member for Finsbury, inquired after the health of
Lady BEACONSFIELD. 'They tell me she is better, but you know what better
is at 83.' I'm as well as can be expected going o' 84. I must admit it's
pretty well. I'll undertake to walk a mile, run a mile, eat a meal, and
make a speech with any fellow ten years my junior."
Certainly no one on Treasury Bench exceeds Mr. G. in vivacity or
overflowing energy. SQUIRE OF MALWOOD looks very fit, but there's a
massivity about his mirthful mood that becomes a Chancellor of the
Exchequer with a contingent surplus. Is much comforted by consciousness
that, whilst SAGE OF QUEEN ANNE'S GATE views composition of Ministry with
mixed feelings, and will not commit himself to promise of fealty till he
is in possession of full details of their policy, he unreservedly
approves the SQUIRE.
On other side, Her Majesty's late Ministers in state of almost boisterous
hilarity. Evidently inclined to regard deposition as a joke. Prince
ARTHUR beaming with delight. Something curiously like a smile wreathes
stolid countenance of Sir JAMES FERGUSSON.
"It's their turn now," says Prince ARTHUR, gleefully rubbing his hands,
"and I wish them joy of it. As for me, I shall live my Saturday to Monday
in peace, and shall go to the Opera every Wednesday night in the Season."
"You can go oftener if you like," said ELLIS ASHMEAD-BARTLETT (Knight).
"You may depend on my remaining here. I've thought of a good many things
to say during the last six years."
"Ha," said Prince ARTHUR, thoughtfully, "then perhaps I may absent myself
through portions of other nights of the week."
_Business done._--Address moved.
* * * * *
[Illustration: PARLIAMENTARY SHOOTING BEGINS, JANUARY 31.]
* * * * *