To the House of Commons, where an Irish Debate on the Rate-in-Aid Bill,
which did make me drowsy. The House in Committee; the Irish Members
moving all Sorts of frivolous Amendments, abusing the Government, and
quarrelling among themselves. SIR H. BARRON did accuse MR. REYNOLDS of
being ready to Vote away other People's Money because he had none of his
own, and MR. REYNOLDS did say that he never saw such Misery as on SIR H.
BARRON'S Estate; whereupon SIR H. BARRON up in a Rage, and did deny the
Fact with vehement Gestures, flourishing his Fists gallantly. Then MR.
REYNOLDS did fall foul of MR. BATESON, one that had been a Captain, for
questioning the CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER concerning young REYNOLDS'S
Place; and did make a Joke upon MR. BATESON'S Mustachios: whereat much
laughter. But a small Joke do go a great Way in the House of Commons.
Before the Debate, LORD JOHN RUSSELL marching up one of the side
Galleries, and taking the Measure of the House through his Eye-Glass: a
sharp delicate little Man, with a mild Voice, but do carry himself
stately. Methought his Observations amused him, for he smirked a little,
and looked as if he knew the Customers he had to deal with. But to see
him and the HOME SECRETARY and the CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER trying to
persuade the Irish Members not to press their ridiculous Motions to a
Division, wheedling and coaxing them, as smiling and civil as
Haberdashers! The Bill to be reported to-morrow; and then the House to a
little ordinary Business; and MR. HORSMAN'S Bill postponed, through the
Irish cavilling and squabbling. Then a Debate on naming the Committee on
Savings Banks; and made an Irish Question too; the Dispute how many
Irish Members were to serve on the Committee: and the End, the Naming of
the Committee delayed. This Way of doing Business in the House of
Commons makes it no Wonder how little is done; and the chief Cause is
the Irish Members haranguing upon Nothing and quarrelling about Straws,
which do seem to me a childish and spiteful Attempt to give Trouble to
Government. I did hope to hear a Speech from SIR ROBERT PEEL, but was
disappointed, which did vex me; but heard a few Words from COLONEL
SIBTHORP, which made mighty Laughter, and were as sensible as any Thing
I heard all the Evening: and the Colonel in a brave Waistcoat, with his
droll Figure did divert me much. Last of all, a Settlement of the
Smithfield Committee: and I do wonder this became not an Irish Matter
too. The House adjourning at half-past One in the Morning; and to see
the Number of Members lying asleep on the Gallery Benches! All this
While Nothing whatever done of more Importance than Parish Business at a
Vestry. I off to Supper in the Haymarket on pickled Salmon and Stout,
cost me 1s. 6d., and then Home and to Bed, past 2 o'Clock, and my Wife
do say that the House of Commons keep worse Hours than any Tavern in
Town.
[Illustration: _YE PUBLIC ITS EXCYTEMENTE ON YE APPEARANCE OF MISS
LIND._