_House of Commons, Monday, June 23_.--A gleam of glory in sombre
chamber of the Peers; a thin streak of red making its devious way
between the table and the Benches. At the head comes Black Rod, giving
some relief to the glittering spectacle; Garter King-at-Arms, without
whom British Constitution would be a vain thing, follows. Then the
Prince of WALES, looking a trifle anxious; is bringing out his son
and heir to take his place in the hereditary chamber; anxious that
all should go well. Next the new Duke of CLARENCE, looking very well
in his new Peer's robes, on which his fair mother, seated with her
daughter in side galleries, casts approving glance. Then the Duke
of EDINBURGH, with the stalwart Hereditary Grand Marshal, Jockey o'
Norfolk, and Aveland, Lord Great Chamberlain.
Procession strolled in in quite casual way; passed Woolsack to which
HALSBURY lent grace and dignity; New Peer handed his credentials
to LOBD CHANCELLOR; but HALSBURY, above all things, man of cautious
habits. No doubt everything was right and in order; presence of Prince
of WALES guarantee of it; but HALSBURY not to be taken in. All very
well, but all in due order. So new Peer taken charge of by the Reading
Clerk; Procession moved on to table; documents mumbled over; oath
taken; roll signed. New Peer turned to look at LORD CHANCELLOR;
decidedly more friendly; haughty, forbidding, distrustful look,
vanished from his ordinarily genial countenance. Young Peer encouraged
to venture on friendly nod; LORD CHANCELLOR in response, lifted
three-cornered hat, and on replacing it, was observed to cock it
slightly on one side. Procession now moved on towards doorway by side
of Throne, where was set three chairs.
"A little slow isn't it, Sir," said Duke of CLARENCE to H.R.H.;
"suppose we sit down here a bit; Black Rod will go and fetch us
a flagon of Malmsey wine; am told they always keep a butt on the
premises for stray Dukes."
"No Malmsey for you, CLARENCE," said the Gracious Parent; "but if
you'd like to sit down a moment, you may."
So new Peer sat in middle chair, Father and Uncle anxiously regarding
him. LORD CHANCELLOR slewed round on Woolsack to see what was going
on behind him. New Peer, making himself quite at home, put on hat;
finding LORD CHANCELLOR staring at him, uplifted it; LORD CHANCELLOR
did same with his. Duke tried it again; LORD CHANCELLOR, comically
half turned round on the Woolsack, followed suit.
"Do it a third time, CLARENCE," whispered H.R.H., entering into fun
of thing. So the new Peer, always with his eyes gravely fixed on LORD
CHANCELLOR, who, in the excitement of the moment, had got his left leg
cocked over the Woolsack, did it a third time; LORD CHANCELLOR did the
same; Princesses in the Gallery sweetly smiling; Garter King-at-Arms
totting off the number of salutes; and Black Rod thanking his stars
that presently, when they left the House, he could walk face forward,
not as when he visited the Commons, walking backward like a crab.
"I think that'll do," said H.R.H. "HALSBURY is in very uncomfortable
attitude; besides this is a sort of game that palls after the third
round. Go and say good-bye to HALSBURY, and we'll go and have a cup
of tea with your mother."
Procession reformed; New Peer led up to Woolsack, where LORD
CHANCELLOR, with little gesture of surprise, as if he had only now
caught sight of him for first time, shook hands with him. Prince of
Wales lifted his cap to LORD CHANCELLOR; LORD CHANCELLOR lifted his
cap to Prince of WALES; the other Princes followed suit; Black Rod
toddled off; and the gay and gorgeous procession disappeared through
the doorway, leaving the Chamber in sudden twilight, as if the sun had
dipped below the horizon.
An exceedingly friendly meeting all round; quite contagious.
[Illustration: "Toby, M.P., I presume?"]
"TOBY, M.P., I presume?" said BROADHURST, as I walked out. He had
been looking on, and had quite caught the graceful manner of the LORD
CHANCELLOR. I raised my hat three times, and went on to the Commons,
where there were wigs on the Green.
_Business done_.--In Commons, Compensation Clauses withdrawn.
_Tuesday_.--TIM HEALY puts final spoke in wheel of Compensation Bill.
Rose after questions on paper disposed of, and asked for ruling of
SPEAKER on an important point affecting Parliamentary Procedure. TIM'S
manner boded ill for the Government--deferential, low-voiced, with
total absence of self-assertion or aggression, TIM stood, the very
model of a modest young man.
"Yes," said Prince ARTHUR, "but I hope he's not going to say anything
about Irish business. When he's in this mood, I prefer he should
address himself to my dear friend JOKIM."
[Illustration: _Right Hon. A. Balfour_. "My dearest Tim, 'for this
relief much thanks!'"]
TIM had anticipated Prince ARTHUR'S wishes. It _was_ about
Compensation Bill that he desired to consult SPEAKER. JOKIM, as
last turn in devious course, had proposed to dodge difficulty
about Compensation by accumulating proceeds of increased till
some indefinite period, when great reform of Licensing should be
introduced. "But," says TIM, almost begging pardon for interposing,
"in Budget Bill it has been specifically decreed that proceeds of
tax should be appropriated during present Session." Accumulation, TIM
urged, with a vague notion that he was dropping into poetry, is not
Appropriation. SPEAKER agreed with him: consternation on Treasury
Bench; Ministers tried to put bold face on affairs; could not discuss
question now; would do so by-and-by; confident they could show there
was nothing in TIM'S objection. An hour later, when time came to
resume Committee on Compensation Bill, OLD MORALITY announced that
it would be postponed to give Ministers opportunity to consider point
suggested by TIM. Shout of exultation went up from Opposition Benches:
prolonged fight had been won at last; the obnoxious Bill was floored,
and TIM had done it.
OLD MORALITY, standing at table in attitude where natural nobility of
character struggled with accidental depression, said: "Success, Mr.
SPEAKER, is a mark no mortal wit of surest hand can always hit. For
whatsoe'er we perpetrate, we do but row; we are steered by fate, which
in success often disinherits, for spurious causes, noblest merits.
Great occasions, Mr. SPEAKER, are not always true sons of great and
mighty resolutions, nor, I may add, do the boldest attempts bring
forth events still equal to their worth. That may be the case with
us; but at least we shall carry to our homes the consciousness that we
have diligently striven to do our duty to our QUEEN and our country."
General cheering at this little speech, and scarcely dry eye on
Treasury Bench.
_Business done_.--Compensation Bill in fresh difficulties.
_Thursday_.--Sitting remarkable for two speeches from ordinarily
silent Members. Began and ended proceedings. First was by WHARTON, on
presenting petition signed by over half a million persons in favour of
Compensation Clauses of Licensing Bill. Petition brought down in three
cases by PICKFORD'S van. Conveniently disposed on floor of House;
occupied the whole space. Perturbation on Treasury Bench at the report
that there was Royal Commission going forward in other House. Time
of the Session when these are frequent. Black Rod arrives; requests
attendance of Members to hear Commission read. Advances towards table,
bowing to chair; retires backward; SPEAKER follows him. How would it
be to-day, with floor blocked with towering cases? Black Rod an old
sailor, might haul himself up hand-over-hand, and skip across tops
of cases; but never do for the SPEAKER so to scramble out. Hasty and
anxious inquiry made. Turned out to be no Royal Commission to-day; so
new disaster for Ministers avoided.
WHARTON succeeds somehow when presenting Petition in casting sort
of Cathedral Close air over proceedings. Life-long association with
cathedrals and their precincts have invested him with placid charm
of manner: would have made an excellent Dean; gone off capitally as a
Canon; now, as he waves his hand towards the space lately crowded by
the Petition, wears subtle, indescribable, but unmistakable air, as if
he were taking part in a Confirmation Service.
[Illustration: A Maiden Speech.]
The other orator, GRIMSTON, considerably less ecclesiastical in his
manner. Appeared suddenly on scene at midnight: maiden speech; very
effective. "Mr. COURTNEY, Sir," he said, diffidently hiding his hands
in his trousers' pockets, "I claim the indulgence the House always
extends to young Members, in rising to address it for the first time.
I beg to move that the question be now put," Question put accordingly;
debate Closured, and so home.
_Business done_.--Quite a lot. Licensing Clauses finally dropped;
Allotments Bill read Third Time; Barracks Bill through Committee.
_Friday_.--Police in possession of House to-night. MATTHEWS moved
Second Reading of Bill dealing with Force. Quite unusual consensus
of approval, considering it is a Government Bill. Only for GEORGE
CAMPBELL, chorus would have been unanimous. But GEORGE, looking
in from Zanzibar, where he had called after a brief trip through
Jerusalem and Madagascar, denounced the measure as "thoroughly bad."
House thereupon passed Second Reading without division.
_Business done_.--Police Bill read Second Time.
* * * * *
[Illustration: _From Report of Debate on Hares Preservation Bill, June
26_.--"They (the other Members of Parliament) could not go out and
kill 300 Dodos,"--but evidently _he_ (Sir W.V. HARCOURT) could, and
here he is--caught in the act!]
* * * * *
"The Oof Bird" is the Auk, as _Cornhill Mag._ says its eggs cost £170
apiece,--of course when fresh. What a big lark!--Yours, 'ARRY.
* * * * *
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