Chapter 2

A TIMPORARY OBSTHRUCTION"A TIMPORARY OBSTHRUCTION."Truculent Tim, the Ambiguous Patriot."GIT OUT O' THE ROAD, IS IT? BE AISY NOW—WILL ME CONSCHIENCE LET ME?"["There was a suggestion on the part of the Government that everyone was anxious to get away from the House. Some people certainly were not.... He had no anxiety to get away, but was most anxious to turn the House to account in the interest of his constituents and the country generally, though they all meant different things when they used that expression."—Mr. T. M. Healy (Louth, N.) in the House of Commons.

"A TIMPORARY OBSTHRUCTION."

Truculent Tim, the Ambiguous Patriot."GIT OUT O' THE ROAD, IS IT? BE AISY NOW—WILL ME CONSCHIENCE LET ME?"

["There was a suggestion on the part of the Government that everyone was anxious to get away from the House. Some people certainly were not.... He had no anxiety to get away, but was most anxious to turn the House to account in the interest of his constituents and the country generally, though they all meant different things when they used that expression."—Mr. T. M. Healy (Louth, N.) in the House of Commons.

A TRIP "PER SEA."

Appetite—Steward—Wandering—The Cigar—Umbrella—Suspicions—Judicial—Interrogation—Evidence—Stowaway—Verdict—Off—Surmise—Lunch—Afloat—Night—Morning—Away—Landing.

Appetite—Steward—Wandering—The Cigar—Umbrella—Suspicions—Judicial—Interrogation—Evidence—Stowaway—Verdict—Off—Surmise—Lunch—Afloat—Night—Morning—Away—Landing.

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Suddenly aware of commencement of what promises to be uncommonly fine and large appetite when it reaches maturity.Happy Thought.—Find steward.Still Happier Thought.—Finding steward, not for the purpose usually associated with calling for that official on a rough day between Dover and Calais. On present occasion only to ask him, when found, the hour of lunch. Somehow he eludes my search. After wandering about vaguely into several other persons' cabins, I find myself suddenly on a narrow lower deck. Don't know its technical name. And now "a strange thing happens." Before me, leaning against a rail, is the portly, or rather sea-portly, jovial-looking individual, whose acquaintance I have already made in captain's cabin, thoughtfully finishing a cigar. By the way, at any period of our too-brief acquaintance I never see him without cigar, which he is always just finishing, but never commencing. At this moment his cheery countenance wears as hard an expression, quite unnatural to it, as it could by any possibility assume for more than three minutes at a stretch, He is addressing a flabby, cadaverous-looking individual in seedy black trousers and coat, one button of which conceals the upper part of a waistcoat made of some "washing material," and apparently as greatly in need of the cleansing process as is its wearer. In one ill-shaped, dirty hand he holds a very superior class of umbrella, with a gold tip to it. I at once jump to the conclusion that its present possessor, having come by it dishonestly, has been taken dirty-red handed, and that my stout acquaintance is a sort of nautical magistrate, authorised to try such cases by a sort of informal court-martial on board, and empowered to order the culprit, if found guilty, to be put in irons, or to be mast-headed, or otherwise dealt with according to maritime law.

Standing in the gangway I become an interested spectator of the trial. The evidently guilty party, pale as a suet dumpling, and trembling like a jelly (remarkable culinary combination), is awaiting his sentence. "Why didn't you go on board the tender with every one else?" asks my Judicial and Nautical Assessor (I fancy this is the terra in the Admiralty Court, where, if on shore, he would probably sit attired in full naval uniform, with a judge's wig on, and a cocked hat a-top of that). The man mutters something about "didn't hear." "Not hear!" ejaculates the Assessor, taking a short pull at his cigar and smiling incredulously, "not hear! when everyone was shouting and rushing all over the ship!" Personally I can bear witness to these facts; but, not being called as evidence for the Crown and Anchor, I remain silent. Why even down in the engine-rooms the stokers must have heard the shouts for "Tubbs!" It occurs to me suddenly that this wretched man must have stolenTubbs'umbrella. But I am at once enlightened as to the real state of the case. "Look here, my man," says the Judicial and Nautical Assessor, as he critically eyes the ash of his cigar before flicking it off while speaking to the prisoner, "you said you came on board to see your friends off; you gave their name asTompkins. Well, there isn't such a name on the books." This statement seems to come as a "facer" to the cadaverous man, who, becoming more cadaverous than ever, eyes the deck-rails askance, as if contemplating a sudden rush and a jump into the water.

"Now, my man," continues the Assessor, with pleasant severity, "you say you've got friends at Plymouth,"—the man is understood to assent to this proposition in a despairing sort of way—"and you say they'll pay for you there." The slightest indication of a cunning smile momentarily illumines the Job Trotter-like countenance of the prisoner. "Well, we don't do business on those terms. You give the steward three guineas, and we'll take you to Plymouth. But if you can't pay—off you go. Here, steward, you're wanted." And that officer coming up, the miserable individual with the valuable umbrella (about which no questions have been asked) is given into his charge by my stout acquaintance, who, as we enter the smoking-room, says to me in an undertone, "He's a regular 'do.' We've hailed a boat, and he'll be put off in two two's. He wanted to get his passage free. He's a 'stowaway,' that's whatheis."

A stowaway! Up to this moment of cruel disenchantment, my sympathies have always been with the "stowaway." I imagined him as a poor, ill-used kind ofSmikeorOliver Twist, hiding himself away among the casks in the lowest hold of the vessel, only issuing forth in the dead of night with the rats and cockroaches, who, suddenly coming to the upper deck in a terrific storm, steers the ship into a peaceful haven, saves the captain from a watery grave, and who, finally, either marries the low high admiral's daughter, or (which is more affecting) the poor stowaway mutters something about "Home," and, gratefully smiling, as he looks up at the now utterly overcome captain, dies, in the lime-light, to slow music, with his head reposing on that deeply affected officer's best epaulette. In fact, a sort of nautical "PoorJo." But this idea is utterly knocked over by the appearance of the real genuine stowaway, who has such a sneaky, crawly, strangling-you-asleep appearance, that I own to a feeling of intense gratification on seeing two men rowing a small boat up alongside (for which we slack off a bit), while at the same moment the discomfited sneak with the expensive, and still mysterious, umbrella, who has descended the lowered gangway, stands on the shaky ledge below as if he were about to take a plunge—which, indeed, he does; not, fortunately for him, into the tidal river, but head foremost into the dingy, where for a second or two he lies sprawling. Regaining his legs, he steadies himself, and actually has the impudence to wave his hat to us by way of bidding us farewell, and hoping we'll have a good passage! "And," I ask of a sharp-looking little officer, who is superintending the hauling up of the ladder, "what will become of him? Can he pay those boatmen?" "Heaven knows!" is the answer, and we drop the subject as we have already dropped the miserable object. At the last he will have to give up that umbrella, worth quite a guinea, in payment for being taken ashore. And then—... alas! poorJob Trotterthe Stowaway! I'm afraid a good seven years is in store for him on some count or other; and, may be, that's about the best that can happen to him.

The bugle-call. Bugle sounded by mysterious person in plain clothes, who, like myself, "comes out for a blow." After this he is "heard no more," until, at sixP.M., he sends out his notes "de faire part,"i.e., to inform the company that it is time to dress for dinner. At 6.30 he gives a good hearty blow out, cheerily announcing the last meal of the day. Then he vanishes till next morning at breakfast-time.

One o'clock.—Such a prodigal luncheon as is provided only on board ship. Most appropriate name, "Liners." At meal times we are all "liners," and very plentifully do we line. Only on board one hour, and my appetite isDominie Sampsonish,i.e., "prodi-gi-ous!"

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After lunch—with the essential Oriental curry—the necessary cigar and coffee-cum-liqueur; we talk as we pace the deck up and down and round and round, occasionally stopping to remark on the coast scenery, and to puzzle out the exact localities of the best known places from Whitstable to Dover.

So passes a fine and most enjoyable afternoon; then more bugle, capital dinner, band playing, lively conversation, cigars and coffee, more pacing deck, storytelling, game of cards, music, piping (no dancing), grogging, and so to bed at an earlyish hour, to sleep soundly, undisturbed even by solos on the fog-horn which, I am subsequently informed, were of frequent occurrence, until the polite Commander of the Bath knocks at cabin door to inform me that it is sevenA.M., and that the warm sea bath awaits me.

L'appétit vient en baignant, and while walking the deck we gratefully welcome the bugler who bugles us to breakfast. We rush down. False alarm! It is only the politeness of the bugler, who beforehand, so that no one shall be taken by surprise, gives us the note of warning, letting us know thereby that, in half-an-hour, breakfast will be, so to speak, "under weigh!" Fair start for all.

NineA.M.—Lions feeding not in it with us sea-dogs. What a breakfast! as if we were not going to be within reach of food for the next fortnight. We are all taking in stores hand over hand.

Alas! when next the bugle sounds for lunch we shall not be there! For, as the clock strikes one, a tender from Plymouth arrives to fetch us, and in a pelting shower we leave the good shipOrotava, taking with us our chief cheery companion; and after bidding adieu to the other cheery companions on board, we (a small party of three) take train from Plymouth, S. Devon, to Ilfracombe, N. Devon, traversing as pretty a line of country as is to be found in England. And so we begin our holiday, and advise everyone to do likewise and enjoy the trip as much as we did, and a holiday as much as we intend to do.

Rhyme by a Rad.

Chamberlainthinks the old, old Tory mind,Has changed in love of privilege, power, pelf:Say whatJoewill,oureyes he cannot blind;Weknow that his Tory repeats itself!

Chamberlainthinks the old, old Tory mind,Has changed in love of privilege, power, pelf:Say whatJoewill,oureyes he cannot blind;Weknow that his Tory repeats itself!

COMING TO A FULL STOPCOMING TO A FULL STOP.Driver of bolting tandem(to Rector, who has accepted a lift across the park). "All right, Mr. Portley—don't be frightened! The Sunk Fence is sure to stop 'em!"

COMING TO A FULL STOP.

Driver of bolting tandem(to Rector, who has accepted a lift across the park). "All right, Mr. Portley—don't be frightened! The Sunk Fence is sure to stop 'em!"

THE INDEPENDENT FEATHER PARTY.

First Partridge.Hallo! Goin' strong on the wing?

Second Partridge.So, so, dear bird. What prospects for the openin'?

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F. P.Nothin' cheerful. Agricultural depression and Death Duties and Pariah Councils and all that. Hear they're goin' to make allotments in our beanfield.

S. P.Yes, and the Anti-Shootin' League and the claptrap against the Lords. It's very depressin'. However, with a sportin' Government in, things will be lookin' up.

F. P.Takes time, my feathered one, takes time. Why, they're still sittin' with the season just comin' on. Hear it's doocid dull in town, too, with the pavin' up in the Mall and all that.

S. P.Where do you get the club talk from, old rooster?

F. P.Bird I know keepin' over in the roots. Pal of a poacher that's thick with one of these West End game-mongers. Get the latest from him. HearHealyandTannerand that lot are on the war-path, and heaven only knows when the House will be up.

S. P.Wouldn't have mattered much in the good old days before the guv'nor let the shootin' to the brewin' Member. Lords never did a stroke of work after the Twelfth; but these Commoners ain't born and bred among the turnips. Only take the shootin' for the sake of appearances.

F. P.Yes; and I hear that the brewin' fellow's given the first week's sport to three of these New Women.

S. P.Means a bad time for us—blazin' into the brown, and all that. Give me the right kind of sport, I say, and a fly for my money. With these 'prentice hands you never know where you are, don't you know? Bound to fly into the pips some day or other.

F. P.And probably no dogs to give you a wrinkle how things lie. Keepers won't bring 'em out at any price. Say it's chancy enough for themselves and the beaters, without riskin' a decent-bred setter. Lost three and a half brace of clippin' Gordons with two New Women guns last season over the other side of the county.

S. P.Goin' in for co-operation this year? What do you think of the covey system?

F. P.Played out, dear bird. Social fads a bit off colour, don't you know, in these Tory days. Individualism, I say, and let every fowl sit tight for himself, especially with this wild shootin' goin' on. Family ties a little loose, too, this end of the century. Look at the Divorce Courts.

S. P.No chance of Protection, I suppose?

F. P.Afraid not. You see they're keepin'Jimmy Lowtherquiet with a heavy job on Committees. By the way, I seeBrodrick'sgettin' in a lot more ammunition for small-arms. Glad it's smokeless powder. Old stuff used to knock the landscape about badly. Then, again, apart from the view, must say I like to see where I'm flyin'.

S. P.PityChaplindidn't get laid on to our department. Hear he had a notion for a bi-metallic gun; dead safe to settle agricultural depression.

F. P.Well, anyhow,Roseberydid us the compliment to make our last man a Lord; though perhaps it was a covert insult, seein' he was boomin' against the Upper Chamber. Take it all round, I'm for a Tory Government. One of their openin' moves, you see, is to put the First on a Sunday. That's a bit sportsmanlike.

S. P.Yes, but they're a mixed lot—this coalition. Tell me that J. C. don't know a muzzle from a butt-end! However, here's luck and rude health to all good sportsmen.Vive le Sport!I'm off with the missus for a mornin' fly. Ta-ta!

[Exeunt.

RATIOCINATIONRATIOCINATION.Rector."Duggan, attention! As you're an old Balaclava Soldier, I am inclined to make allowances; but this is the Third time I have seen you under the influence of Drink! How is this?"Sexton."Well, you see, Sir, when I go down town, one Fellow says, 'Duggan, will you have a Drink?' and another says the same, and I get Drunk without knowing it!"Rector."But, Duggan, when I go down town, no one asks me to take a Drink!"Sexton."Yes; but you're not nearly such a Popular Man, you see!"

RATIOCINATION.

Rector."Duggan, attention! As you're an old Balaclava Soldier, I am inclined to make allowances; but this is the Third time I have seen you under the influence of Drink! How is this?"

Sexton."Well, you see, Sir, when I go down town, one Fellow says, 'Duggan, will you have a Drink?' and another says the same, and I get Drunk without knowing it!"

Rector."But, Duggan, when I go down town, no one asks me to take a Drink!"

Sexton."Yes; but you're not nearly such a Popular Man, you see!"

A LESSON FROM THE NEW LIZARD.

(By a Worritted One.)

[The Frilled Lizard—Chlamydosaurus Kingi—from Roebuck Bay, Western Australia, a recent addition to the Zoo, is believed to "elevate its frill when angry or excited"; but as no power on earth seems to make it excited or angry, its frill never shows to advantage.]

[The Frilled Lizard—Chlamydosaurus Kingi—from Roebuck Bay, Western Australia, a recent addition to the Zoo, is believed to "elevate its frill when angry or excited"; but as no power on earth seems to make it excited or angry, its frill never shows to advantage.]

OhChlamydosaurus!You spread out before us,If not your fine frill, an example!With lizards to live what a deal would one give,At least, if they're all up to sample!Oh, thing enigmatic, lethargic, lymphatic,True type of theeadem semper;Your finery gay you can't rightly display,For lack of that trifle—a temper!If creatures more human—especially woman—Were like you in dress and in diet,And perfectly willing to sacrifice frilling,And other mere show-things, to quiet.'Twould bring us all balm, for our world would be calmAs though stilled by the wand of a wizard.But ladies are few who will learn at the ZooThe true secret of life—from a lizard.

OhChlamydosaurus!You spread out before us,If not your fine frill, an example!With lizards to live what a deal would one give,At least, if they're all up to sample!Oh, thing enigmatic, lethargic, lymphatic,True type of theeadem semper;Your finery gay you can't rightly display,For lack of that trifle—a temper!If creatures more human—especially woman—Were like you in dress and in diet,And perfectly willing to sacrifice frilling,And other mere show-things, to quiet.'Twould bring us all balm, for our world would be calmAs though stilled by the wand of a wizard.But ladies are few who will learn at the ZooThe true secret of life—from a lizard.

New Name for the "New Woman."

Unsexed, factitious, foolish, coarse, inhuman!She's not the New, she's but the "Novel" Woman.

Unsexed, factitious, foolish, coarse, inhuman!She's not the New, she's but the "Novel" Woman.

ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

EXTRACTED FROM THE DIARY OF TOBY, M.P.

House of Commons, Tuesday, August 20, 2.18A.M.—New Members, and some who sat in last Parliament, have had opportunity to-night of tasting old times at Westminster. AsR. G. Websterpointedly observes, "Tim Healyhas drawn his shillelagh, and thrown away the scabbard." Here is House of 670 Members, in Session in obedience to constitutional conditions. Must needs meet on 12th of August; but every man, or nearly everyone, chiefly anxious to get necessary business over as soon as possible, and so off to moor or sea, or quiet home in long-severed country across the Irish Sea or beyond the Tweed.Tim Healyhas introduced Bill to amend Municipal Franchise in Ireland; wants to carry it through all its stages, and send it on to Lords before Prorogation. "Only a little one," he pleads.Prince Arthurpoints out if exception made in one case will be claimed in others. Can't obligeTim.

"Very well," says the Implacable One; "then see what it will cost you. No Bill no holiday, at least not as long as I can stand on floor and raise my voice."

All through the long sittingTimbeen to the fore. No matter what subject, it served for him to take objection, and in most cases division.Attorney-Generalwanted to take first reading Expiring Laws Continuance Bill; a purely formal procedure; a matter of course at end of each Session.Timobjected. After vain protest,Attorney-Generalretired.Prince Arthurmoved debate on Limerick election should have particular place on Agenda.Timobjected. Such a course, he argued, implied that debate on the dutiful address to most gracious speech from the throne might be interrupted in favour of any ordinary business. In voice faltering with emotionTimresented this slight upon his Sovereign. Next in enormity was evidence discerned by his keen vision of demoralising influence ofHemprer Joeon Conservative principles. Before the fusion, Conservatives held sacred all constitutional precedents. Now, with a light heart, they proposed to flout an ordinance that had prevailed for seven hundred years.

Why seven hundred nobody knew.Timmight have put it at eight hundred or a thousand; but he is, above all things, a moderate man.

SpeakerruledPrince Arthur'sprocedure strictly in order.Squire of Malwood, coming to rescue of Ministers, admitted it was a course invariably taken under former Ministry.Timtook his stand on the British Constitution; put his protecting arms round his affronted Sovereign; declined to budge, and the master of many legions surrendered.

The same through long sitting, which closes at this moment with dawn surprising the blushing East. On successive questions—the suspension of twelve o'clock rule, theSpeakerleaving Chair without question put, Chitral, and a long series of formal motions in Supply—Timdelivered innumerable speeches; took in all ten divisions. Once, House being cleared for division, he, in conformity with quaint requirements of the moment, remained seated with hat on, contesting points of order withSpeaker. Alone he did it. Although from fifty to a hundred Members went out to vote with him, none felt capable of joining in his masterly controversy with the masterfulSpeaker.

Tim takes the leading partTim takes the leading part in the performance ofMuch Ado about Nothing, by the John Daly Company."We shall stay here at least a month; and he (Benedick) heartily prays some occasion may detain us longer."Much Ado, &c., Act I., Sc. 1.

Tim takes the leading part in the performance ofMuch Ado about Nothing, by the John Daly Company.

"We shall stay here at least a month; and he (Benedick) heartily prays some occasion may detain us longer."

Much Ado, &c., Act I., Sc. 1.

Hard lines for newSpeaker; in Chair for nearly twelve hours, incessantly on the watch. But, asSarksays, the game has for himbeen well worth burning the candle at both ends. To-night's sitting has finally established his position in the Chair.

Business done.—Address agreed to.

Tuesday.—Sark, whose knowledge ofShakspeareis extensive and peculiar, goes about humming:—

Ban, ban Caliban.Got new House Commons;Get new Chairman.

Ban, ban Caliban.Got new House Commons;Get new Chairman.

This accomplished to-night in simplest fashion. Two hours discussion of Limerick's flash of humour in having elected to represent it in Parliament a gentleman languishing in one of Her Majesty's prisons. This disposed of, House went into Committee of Supply. But as yet we have no Chairman.Mellor'sunrequited labours closed with life of last Parliament.Sarkalways says justice never done toMellor.

"A painstaking, upright, courteous gentleman," he testifies. "Much too good for obstruction's daily food in Chair of Committees. If he had a fault tending to incapacitate him for Chair, it was the extreme geniality of a nature that made him shrink from giving pain. He came into office at an epoch of exceptional difficulty.Lyon Playfairhad bad time when he was hampered by well-organised, ruthless obstruction led byParnell. Obstruction to the Home-Rule Bill throughout first session ofMellor'schairmanship not less ably led, forJoe, not yet come to Imperial estate, was much to the fore. It was certainly not less ruthless; numerically was in treble force. To obfusticate the Chairman was easiest, most effective way of delaying progress of Bill through Committee;Mellorsuffered accordingly. The order of things should have been reversed.Mellorshould come to Chair to-day.Lowthershould have had his job in Session of 1893.James W.is endowed in marked degree with the quality of phlegm invaluable to Chairman in troublous times. What worried sensitive nature ofMellorwould have flurried him no more than bucket of water cast over a duck's back."

"I was made a corporal just in time," saidPrivate Hanbury, musing over recent turns in wheel of fortune. "WithJames W.in the Chair, I would rather have charge of the Estimates than be engaged in obstructing their passage."

John William" (M-cl-re)"John William" (M-cl-re) in unwonted state of agitation.

"John William" (M-cl-re) in unwonted state of agitation.

Hermon Hodge, after enjoying the fresh air of the country for three years, comes back to House and loftily complains of the atmosphere. "Is the first Commissioner of Works aware," he inquired, "that in the early part of the afternoon there was a most horrible smell of drains at the bar of the House?"

"Hoightytoighty!" saidJohn William. "What does the man mean? What is he doing at the bar if he objects to the smell of what he calls drains, meaning nips? What is the particular flavour that offends his sensibilities? Is it whiskey or rum? Who is he that he should interfere with the private tastes of hon. Members? To complain of the smell of drains at the bar at a time when the British electorate have, by overwhelming majorities, declared against any tampering with The Trade interests, is too much from a man who has shared in the benefit derived on our side by the wholesome current of public opinion."

Never sawJohn Williamso put about. Usually brimming over with good living and fine feeling.

Business done.—Some votes in Committee of Supply.

Wednesday.—Stanleydelivered maiden speech. Did it very well, too. A double contribution to success. First, subject (slave trade in Africa) one of which he knows something. Second, he made no effort to orate. Hooked his arm, so to speak, with that of Chairman of Committees; walked him up and down, talking in colloquial fashion. Has good voice, which doesn't need uplifting; in the higher notes one catches the faint echo of a foreign tongue.

Sharing pleasure of Committee at his speech, he volunteered a second. Dangerous experiment this. But particular incentive gave it a turn of fresh attraction.Parker Smith, criticising first speech, and differing from its conclusions, accusedStanleyof trading on his reputation. Ever seen a boy in the playing-ground go up to another, clench his fists, hoist his right shoulder, and ask him to "say that again"? ThusStanleytoParker Smith, sitting on same bench near him. Of course he put thing in Parliamentary fashion.

"I don't recollect," he drawled, "saying anything to inspire my hon. friend to make such a charge, and"—here he bent over P. S., fixing him with glittering eye—"I beg he won't make any such remarks in the future."

Before fervered fancy of Member for Partick there lashed a vision of two new books from pen of the great explorer. The first volume was entitledHow I Found Parker Smith. The second bore the legendHow I Left Him. Only one thing to do. Apologise. This P. S. did with alacrity.

Stanley FallsStanley Falls—on his feet!Clothes presumably by Stanley (Pool).

Stanley Falls—on his feet!

Clothes presumably by Stanley (Pool).

Business done.—Two votes in Committee of Supply.

Saturday, 1.40A.M.—Another late sitting, chiefly owing to TruculentTim. That depressing; but Members wend their way homeward hurt by crueller blow. Will be remembered that in last Session of old ParliamentHoward Vincentmade great hit. Came down to the House clothed, not only with chastity, but with mats, strips of carpet, brushes, frying-pans, fish-kettles, and other household goods, all, as he said, made in foreign prisons. Those present during sitting will never forget curious illusion of caudal appendage occasioned by accident of handle of one of the frying-pans, thrust in hon. Member's coat-tail pocket, sticking out at angle of forty-five degrees.

General effect was that House, in flush of generous indignation, passed resolution calling upon Government forthwith to prohibit importation of prison-made brushes and the rest. Committee appointed, and first discovery made was that the brushHoward Vincentnegligently dandled in hand whilst he temporarily painted out Ministerial majority, was not, as represented, of prison manufacture, but (Sarkadds) was secretly bought by the gallant colonel at Army and Navy Stores!

Bryce, who on eve of foreign voyage, solemnly made first part of this declaration. Said nothing more. But confidence once broken, House begins to suspect thebona fidesof the frying-pans, the early history of the fish-kettles.

Business done.—More votes in Supply.

Legal Lunching.—The energetic enterprise of journalism stops at nothing in catering for the curiosity of the public. TheBirmingham Mailtells how the different judges "refresh themselves in the half hour adjournment during assizes." It is exceedingly interesting to know that JusticeHawkins"takes nothing," and that BaronPollock"contents himself with a large cup of chocolate and a biscuit." Moreover, how gratifying it is to be assured that "no judge takes a substantial luncheon while engaged in Court." All such matters are of the greatest moment.

The True "general Election."—The election of LordWolseleyto be Commander-in-Chief.

New Parliamentary Proverb.—Manners make the man, butTannersthe Irishmen!


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