_House of Commons, Thursday, January 22_.--Both Houses met to-day
after Christmas Recess. No QUEEN's Speech; no moving and seconding of
Address; no Royal Commission and procession of SPEAKER to Lords. All
seems strange, and spirits generally a little depressed. Only ROBERT
FOWLER rises superior to circumstances of hour. Blustering about the
Lobby "like Boreas," says CAUSTON.
[Illustration: King Yah! Yah!]
"Only not so rude," says HARRY LAWSON, jealous for the reputation of
Metropolitan Members, even though some sit on the Benches opposite.
With folded hands thrust behind coat-tails, rollicking stride,
thunderous voice, and blooming countenance, Sir ROBERT positively
pervades the Lobby. Personally receives POPE HENNESSY; shakes
hands with everybody; and finally halting for a moment under the
electric-lit archway leading into House, presents interesting and
attractive picture of the Glorified Alderman.
Scotch Members take possession of Commons to-night. LORD ADVOCATE
brings in Bill, providing new machinery for private legislation; the
Scotch Members with one accord fall upon proposal, and tear it to
ribbons. Meanwhile other Members troop off to Lords, where spectacle
is provided which beats the pantomimes into fits. Two new Peers to
take their seats; procession formed in back room outside; enters from
below Bar. First comes Black Rod, with nothing black about him; then
Garter King-at-Arms, a herculean personage, fully five feet high, with
a dangerous gleam in his eye, and the Royal Arms of England quartered
in scarlet and blue and gold on his manly back. Behind, in red cloaks
slashed with ermine, the new Baron and his escort of two brother
Peers. There being no room for them to advance in due procession, they
fall into single file, make their way to the Woolsack, where sits that
pink of chivalry, that mould of fashion, that perfection of form, the
LORD HIGH CHANCELLOR.
New Peer drops on one knee, presents bundle of paper to LORD
CHANCELLOR. L.C., coyly turning his head on one side, gingerly takes
roll, hands it to Attendant. New Peer gets up; procession bundles back
to table; here Gentleman in wig and gown gabbles something from long
document. New Peer writes his name in a book (probably promising
subscription towards expenses of performance.) Garter King-at-Arms
getting to the front trots off with comically short strides for
so great a dignity; New Peer and escort follow, Black Rod solemnly
bringing up rear. Garter King makes for Cross Benches by the
door; passes along one, the rest following, as if playing game of
Follow-my-leader. Garter King suddenly making off to the right, walks
up Gangway to row of empty Benches. Stops at the topmost row but one,
and passes along. New Peer wants to follow him. Garter King prods him
in chest with small stick, and tells him to go on to the Bench above.
This he does, with escort. Meanwhile, Black Rod left out in the cold.
Garter King motions to three Peers to be seated; tells them to put on
their cocked-hats; counts ten; nods to them; they rise to feet, uplift
cocked-hats in direction of LORD CHANCELLOR on Woolsack. He raises his
in return of salute. Three Peers sit down again. Garter King counts
ten; nods; up they get again, salute LORD CHANCELLOR; sit down once
more. "One--two--three--four--ten," Garter King mumbles to himself.
Once more they rise; salute LORD CHANCELLOR; then Garter King leading
the way, they march back to Woolsack.
Garter King now introduces new Member to LORD CHANCELLOR. L.C. starts
as if he had never seen him before; then extends right hand; New Peer
shakes it, procession reformed, walks out behind Bar. A few minutes
later, another comes in, all the business done over again. Impressive,
but a little monotonous, and as soon as possible after its conclusion
Noble Lords go home.
_Business done_.--In Commons, Private Bill Legislation Bill read a
Second Time.
_Friday_.--WM. O'BRIEN, standing with tear-stained face on pier at
Boulogne waving wet handkerchief across the main, has drawn away
JUSTIN McCARTHY, who can't be back till Monday. PARNELL was to have
come down to-day, and, making believe to be still Leader of United
Irishmen, asked OLD MORALITY to set aside day for discussion of his
Motion on operation of Crimes Act. BRER FOX accordingly looked in
shortly after SPEAKER took the Chair.
[Illustration: Dr. Channing in the Pulpit.]
"Seen BRER RABBIT anywhere about, TOBY?" he asked.
So I up and told him about McCARTHY's new journey to Boulogne.
"Oh, indeed," said BRER FOX; "if that's the case, I think I won't
trouble House to-night. Got an engagement elsewhere; think I'll go and
keep it. Not used to hanging about here, as you know; awful bore
to me; but as long as BRER RABBIT comes here, I must be on spot to
vindicate my position. So I'll say ta-ta. No--never mind ringing for
fire-escape; can walk down the steps to-day."
Thus there being no Irish Leader on the premises, and hardly any Irish
Members, had a rare chance for attending to British business. CHANNING
brought on question of working Overtime on the Railways; moved
Resolution invoking interference of Board of Trade. Question a little
awkward for Government. Couldn't afford to offend Railway Directors,
yet wouldn't do to flout numerous body of working-men, chiefly voters.
Proposed to shelve business by appointment of Select Committee.
Opposition not going to let them off so easily. Debate kept up all
night, winding up with critical Division; Government majority only 17.
"And this," said OLD MORALITY, with injured look, "after PLUNKET's
brilliant oration on the time-tables of the London and North-Western
Railway Company! If he'd only illustrated it with magic-lantern,
things would have gone differently." But he was obstinate; said there
would be difficulty in arranging the slides, and so rejected proposal.
_Business done_.--CHANNING's Resolution about Overtime on Railways
negatived by 141 Votes against 124.
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