PRIOR CLAIMS.
Harold. "Yes, Auntie Connie, I do love you very much; but I love Mamma best." (Apologetically.) "You see I met her first!"
Title: Punch or the London Charivari, Vol. 108, March 23, 1895
Author: Various
Release date: April 29, 2014 [eBook #45529]
Most recently updated: October 24, 2024
Language: English
Credits: Produced by Punch, or the London Charivari, Malcolm Farmer
and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
http://www.pgdp.net
Vol. 108.
March 23 1895.
Harold. "Yes, Auntie Connie, I do love you very much; but I love Mamma best." (Apologetically.) "You see I met her first!"
THE NEW HEN.
(A Fable.)
A New Hen wandering disconsolately in a country farmyard once made the acquaintance of a cock of the old school, when both fell into some discourse concerning the changes of the modes.
"Ah," said the former, arrogantly addressing the latter, "times are indeed a good deal altered since you were a cockerel, and all for the better, thank goodness! Time was, and not so very long ago either, when I was expected to do nothing save lay eggs and breed chickens: now, however, my mistress must know better than to expect such degrading offices of me, for I will neither lay the one nor breed the other."
The old cock was about to offer some remarks in ridicule of these sentiments, when the housewife came into the yard, and, snatching up the New Hen, wrung her neck, remarking to herself as she did so, that a fowl that could neither lay eggs nor rear chickens, had obviously no place in the economy of nature.
New Reading.—"A bull in a china shop" may be Latin-Americanised with a considerable amount of truth as "The 'bos' of the show."
THE MENU À LA MODE.
SHAKSPEARE REVISED BY AN ALDERMAN.
"May I ask," said the worthy Alderman Davies, and he might have added, "I ask because 'Davies sum, non Œdipus'"—but he didn't, and it was a chance lost, "what salary you [the witness under examination] received for this conduct of yours while secretary?" To which witness answered, "£500 a year, and a bonus of £200." Whereupon the Alderman remarked, "Then all I can say is, you could have got many honest men to do the work for much less."
Quite so, Mr. Alderman, true for you; but if a man will act honestly for a sovereign, what might not the addition of ten shillings do? It ought to make him more honest comparatively, while another ten shillings would make him superlatively honest. But how if there were an obligation attached to the increase? Just a trifling deviation out of the straight course to begin with, to oblige a patron?
Let honesty be the drug in the market, and the rare herb dishonesty will be at a premium. It is gratifying to be assured, on aldermanic authority, that Shakspeare was wrong, and that in future for Hamlet's well-known dictum, "For to be honest as this world goes is to be as one man picked out of ten thousand," we must read "For to be dishonest as this world goes is to be as one man picked out of ten thousand."
Happy Alderman Davies! In what paradisiacal pastures must he have moved and breathed and earned his livelihood!
CIRCLING THE SQUARE.
Britannia (to Lord Spencer).
| To "hear old Triton blow his wreathèd horn," My Spencer, in this clear determined manner, |
Is spirit-gladdening; showing you were born To back my power and upbear my banner! |
"FULL SPEED AHEAD!"
["The essential thing is that the party now in office has loyally followed the example of the party in opposition, and, 'neglecting party considerations, and provincial interests, has,' as the Civil Lord claimed for it, 'risen to the full height of its Imperial responsibilities.'"—The "Times" on the Navy Estimates.]
A Parliamentary Paradox.—Sir Ellis Ashmead-Bartlett (alias "Silomio") begs the Government to suppress the Boers.
Convalescent.—After "a bout" of influenza, the best thing for the patient is to be "about again."
LENT.
Sunday Visitor. "Is Mrs. Brown at Home?"
Servant. "No, Sir. Mrs. Brown is playing Lawn-Tennis next door."
Sunday Visitor. "Are the Young Ladies at Home?"
Servant. "No, Sir; they are at Church!"
MY PARTNER.
THE ORIGINAL ARYAN TO THE PROFESSOR.
Verger (to over-generous Visitor). "I beg your pardon, Sir. No Gratuities—er—at present. But—er—the Dean will have passed in Two Minutes, Sir!"
THE HIGHER CRITICISM.
Scene—Author at his desk, with Newspaper Cuttings before him.
THE SONG OF THE SLUGGARD.
["A medical contemporary (The British Medical Journal) asserts that 'The desire to rise early, except in those trained from youth to outdoor pursuits, is commonly a sign, not of strength of character and vigour of body, but of advancing age.'"—Daily Telegraph.]
THE DRAMATIC COMMON SENSER-SHIP.
Last week the name of Mr. Redford as newly-appointed Licenser of Plays was announced. This is just to the late Licenser's assistant and deputy. But if the office is to be continued, why should it not be thrown open to competitive examination? A paper of such questions as the following would secure a learned Theban for the office:—
1. Who was the Licenser of Plays in the time of Shakspeare?
2. Translate passages (given) from (α) French dramatists, (β) Italian, (γ) German, (δ) Spanish, (ε) Norwegian, (ζ) Russian, (ἑ) Japanese.
3. Translate passages (given) from the works of English dramatists into the above-mentioned languages.
4. Give your opinion on the following "situations" and "plots," and say whether you consider it in the interests of public morality that they should be licensed for performance or not.
5. State your reasons for such opinions.
6. Is it your opinion that an officer of the Licensing (Play) Department should be in attendance every night at every theatre (a stall being kept for him by the manager on pain of fine or forfeiture of licence) to note if any change or any introduction be made in the dialogue or in any part or portion of the play already licensed? And if not, why not?
7. Would it be, or not, advisable in your opinion that every author, or all the authors when collaborating, should read their own pieces aloud to the Licenser, giving as much action and dramatic illustration as space will allow? And that the low comedians and eccentric comedians, male and female, with songs and dances, should attend, and show (a) what steps they propose taking in the new piece, (b) what words, (c) winks, (d) becks, and (e) wreathed smiles they intend giving in order to point an innuendo or adorn an apparently harmless joke?
8. Do you think that, as an assistant judge on such occasions, one or more experts (at so much an hour) should be present?
9. (a) In your opinion should not every play be seen by the Licenser, duly acted, with the costumes, before a licence can be granted? (b) and then that the licence be granted only on the condition that no alteration in word or action be made at any time, and under no pretence whatever, during the run, on pain of forfeiture of licence?
The above suggestions will serve as a foundation for some future Licensing Exam.-paper.
COURTLY QUADRUPEDS.
(To the Editor of the "Sp-ct-tor.")
Sir,—I am sure you will be glad to have another veracious story about Animal Etiquette. During the recent frost we hung a bone up in the garden for the starving birds to peck at, and one of our dogs—a collie—was mean enough to steal it. Next day we noticed him limping, and were surprised to find a great gash across one of his paws. I at once understood what had happened. Our other dogs had evidently thought stealing the bone under the circumstances was very bad form, and the collie had been cut by them!
Yours sympathetically,
Parish Pump.
Sir,—I find that even kittens have a code of etiquette, and understand the niceties of social rank. The other day our kitten was on the table, when a winged creature which I took for a fly settled just in front of it. Pussy immediately gracefully retreated backwards till, on arriving at the edge, she slid to the ground. At first I put down her behaviour to fright, but it was nothing of the sort. It was a pure act of courtesy. The supposed fly was a lady-bird! Our intelligent little animal had shown her instinctive respect for title and sex, which was naturally very gratifying to an ardent
Sir,—Our terrier killed a rat yesterday. To-day we saw him, for no obvious reason, approach the rat-hole again. We all agreed that he must be paying a visit of condolence to the bereaved relatives!
["Tourists and foreigners ... in Athens have been put to great inconvenience on account of the cab strike."—Standard, March 14.]
"The Proposed Commons Preservation Bill."—Seeing this heading to an article, an eminently well-informed Conservative politician, whose zeal was in excess of his knowledge, exclaimed, "Ah! I thought it would come to this! The Ultra-Radicals are not going straight for the abolition of the Upper House, but have decided on undermining it, by doing away with the Lower One to begin with. Fancy its being necessary for the Commons to bring in a Bill for their own self-preservation!!"
VADE MECUM FOR A CERTAIN COURT OFFICIAL.
Question. Your duty, I believe, is to protect the public from receiving impressions—from your point of view—of a pernicious character?
Answer. Certainly; and this I accomplish by reading and rejecting what I think the public should avoid.
Q. How long has the office been in existence?
A. About a century or so.
Q. How did the public get on before your office came into existence?
A. Fairly well, especially in the days of Shakspeare.
Q. Had the Bard of Avon to obtain a licence for the production of his plays?
A. No; they were then practically edited by the public.
Q. Could not the public edit plays in the reign of Queen Victoria with the intelligence displayed in the days of "Good Queen Bess"?
A. It is impossible to say, as the question has not been tested by experiment.
Q. You say that your duty is to preserve the purity of the public taste; was that also the object of the earlier of your predecessors?
A. Seemingly not, as the office was called into existence to serve as a bar to the dissemination of opinions of an entirely political character.
Q. But that is not now the raison d'être of the appointment?
A. Oh, no; for nowadays, thanks to the newspapers, politics enjoys free trade.
Q. But still, the right of interference exists?
A. Yes, but it is only used to prevent a performer from "making up" as a Cabinet Minister, to the annoyance of the right hon. gentleman favoured with the attention.
Q. Is there any rule to guide the use of the official blue pencil?
A. None in particular. That emblem of concrete authority may be diligently used for a decade, and then be laid aside for a quarter of a century.
Q. Then there is no policy in the office?
A. None to speak of. What was wrong in 1875 may be right in 1895, and may be wrong again at the commencement of the next century.
Q. But purely such an office has not gained the entire applause of the London Press?
A. On the contrary, the all but universal condemnation.
Q. And yet when the office became vacant there were many journalistic applicants?
A. Because journalists accept the situation of the hour, and make the best of it.
Q. Is it possible that the candidates who have failed may find their objection to the existence of the office stronger than ever?
A. It is not only possible, but probable.
Q. And thus any non-journalist who accepts the appointment may not have a very pleasant time of it?
A. So it would appear to the casual observer.
MY INFLUENZA.
Monday.—This is the day I promised to go with my aunt to the first meeting of that new Society for the Propagation of Female Suffrage amongst the Turks. Wish I'd never promised. Don't see how I can escape. Why, yes, good idea—the influenza! I'll have it. Almost fancy I have a slight pain in my back, which would certainly be a symptom. I will decide that I have a pain in my back. Send note, saying, in uncertain weather caution is necessary; fear that I'm attacked by the prevailing epidemic; wish every success to the good cause, and so forth. Then, relieved in my mind, down to the club, and forget all about the old lady.
Tuesday.—Shall have a melancholy time this evening. Mrs. Pogson's At Home, with recitations. Oh lord! Daren't offend old Pogson by refusing. It would not be so bad if there were not the five Miss Pogsons. Of all the awful, middle-aged young women——! Ha, by Jove! Never thought of it. Of course. The influenza. Telegraph at once. Deeply regret, illness, and so forth. I really have a slight pain in my back. Wonder what it is. Put on my thickest coat when I go out.
Wednesday.—Awful joke this influenza. Shall escape old Blodgett's dinner to-night. Should have been bored to death. Now sixpenny telegram settles it all. The only thing is I really have a pain in my back. Reminds me of boy crying "Wolf" in the fable. Shall stay in this evening, and keep warm by the fire.
Thursday.—Do not feel much worse, but pain still there. Shall not venture out. Can therefore, quite truthfully, excuse my absence from Boreham's matinée. Good enough fellow, Boreham, but can't write a tragedy at all. So shall escape the awful infliction of his mixed imitation of Ibsen and Shelley. The worst of it is that, with this beastly pain in my back, I begin to think my influenza is no sham at all. Stop in all day in warm room. In the evening feel headache, as well as pain in back. Fear the worst.
Friday.—No doubt about it. In bed. Must see the doctor. Letter from Gadsby. Wants me to go to the theatre to-night. Jolly party. Supper after at his house. Little dance to finish with. Jolly, lively fellow Gadsby. Knows lots of pretty actresses, and has all sorts of larks. Would have been good fun. And here am I in bed! Hang the influenza! But cannot risk anything. Get Jones fetched—Jones, M.D., my old chum. Tell him how I feel, and say I have the influenza. "Bosh!" says he, "you've been sitting in a draught somewhere, and got a little lumbago in your back. It's nothing. And you've stuck in a hot room till you've got a headache for want of fresh air. Get up and go out as soon as you can." Feel better already. Show him Gadsby's letter. "The very thing," says he; "I'm going. We'll go together. With that influenza of yours, you oughtn't to go out without someone to watch the case."
"We think Lips that have Gone Astray the foulest novel that ever yet defiled the English tongue; and that in absolute filth its Author can give any modern French writer six and beat him hollow!"—The Parthenon.
Fair Author (to her Publisher, pointing to above Opinion of the Press quoted in his advertisement of her Novel). "And pray, Mr. Shardson, what do you mean by inserting this hideous Notice?"
Publisher. "My dear Miss Fitzmorse, you must remember that we've paid you a large Price for your Book, and brought it out at great Expense—and we naturally wish to Sell it!"
THE EASY CHAIR;
Or, Mr. Speaker's Valediction.
["According to present arrangements the Speaker will deliver his valedictory address on the eve of the adjournment for the Easter recess."
Air—"The Cane-bottom'd Chair."
* Mr. Arthur Wellesley Peel was elected Speaker at the opening of the Session of 1884, upon the retirement of Sir Henry Brand.
Ancient Custom.—"A quaint practice exists" at the Episcopal Palace, Fulham, "of waking up the domestics by means of a long pole." "Stirring them up," apparently, as the keepers do the beasts at the Zoo. The Sun reminds us of the existence of "rousing staves" for waking sleepers in church. About Regatta time riparian dwellers are frequently disturbed in their slumbers by "rousing staves," which, however, are sung by jolly young watermen, canoeists and house-boaters.
Mr. P. "WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO READ YOU LAST NIGHT'S DEBATE, SIR?"
Rt. Hon. Arthur Welleslee Peel (drowsily). "ORDER! ORDER!!"
["The original arrangement that Mr. Peel shall retire on the eve of the Easter holidays still holds good."—Times, March 16.
"Well, how did the New Play go off last night?"
"Oh, there was a Sleep-walking Scene in the Third Act that was rather effective."
"À la Lady Macbeth, eh?"
"Well—not exactly. It was the Audience that got up in its Sleep and walked out!"
TO A FLIRTGIRL.
A Poem of Platitude.
The Boot War.—"In consequence of the strike," observed Mrs. R., "I am afraid a great many hardworking men will be left with boots on their hands."
CHECK!
"We air governed too much."—Artemus Ward.
A Suggestion for Improving the Stage. —M. Coquelin for having played truant—not an absolutely new part for him—from the House of Molière has been condemned by the Court of Appeal to pay five hundred francs every time he performs away from the Comédie Française. This may, or may not, be hard on M. Coquelin, an artist whose absence from the stage would be much deplored: but could not there be, in England, some Court of Public Appeal, empowered to condemn an actor or two, not artists like M. Coquelin, in similar penalties for appearing at all? Great opportunity for a new court and new procedure. Witnesses for prosecution from stalls, dress circle, gallery, pit, upper boxes. Witnesses to be heard in defence of course also; and let the best evidence win.
A Good Bank Note.—After the recent meeting of the gentlemen who manage the affairs of The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street, the Bank of England may now be considered not as a bank which may be of sand or mud, but as a rock, and as firm. The Baring Straits having been safely passed, the look-out man cries, "All's well that ends well!"
The Highly-rouged Lady's Claim To Literary Distinction.—That she is well-read.
No. VIII.—After the Influenza.
LETTERS FROM THE SHADES.
Have just perused report of Commission on Library Wall-flowers. Appears that enterprising book-shop, resort of fashionable world for past century, has sent round urgent whip to Representative Men of Letters (and also Mr. Le Gallienne) asking for short list of best neglected books. Find that answers cover fairly wide ground, from Homer to New English Dictionary. Feeling that it might please general public to have some expression of opinion from various defunct authors described with faint praise as undeservedly neglected, and finding it inconvenient to arrange personal interview, by reason of distance and other difficulties, have sent out circular requesting that they would interview themselves on the subject and kindly let me have result. Some answered evasively through secretaries. Subj in small assortment from letters of those who responded frankly:—
Homer obliges with a few Hexameters.
Herodotus forwards a trifling Brochure.
To me for my part it appears that of the other poets, both those before and after, no one, as the saying is, can hold a two-penny torch to Homerus. He, in the language of the Far-Western people, whips cosmos. But of those that write things not to be mentioned, no Then Man dwelling in the nether world can surpass the Now Woman. So at least they that are over the book-market tell me; but them I cannot easily believe. Further, to speak of such as collect history, but, being unworthy indeed of neglect do yet escape the notice of those that appoint to office, I give the front row to Mr. Oscar Browning.
Shakspeare sends an occasional Sonnet.
Lord Verulam kindly quotes himself.
You shall not ask better from me than that I should distil you these two extracts from my Standard Essays, amended to date.
1. Of Studies.—Reading, and namely of the kitchen ware of Autolycus, maketh a full man; reviewing maketh a puffy man; and my New Organ, now old and strangely unpopular, maketh an harmonious man.
2. Of Gardens.—Very delightful for sweetness is the Wallflower; likewise the Bonny Briar-Patch. But of those flowers such as the Aster and the Carnation, of which the perfume is such that they are best trodden upon and bruised, there is yet another that you shall take heed of. It is the Sweet Earl Lavender. You shall pass by a whole alley of them and find nothing of their sweetness: they are like precocious odours, most desirable when incensed or crushed.
Sortes Shakspearianæ.
Shakspeare in the Commons—
"God speed the Parliament! Who shall be the Speaker?"
Henry the Sixth, Part I., Act iii., Sc. 2.
A Forgotten Melody.—A once popular negro song that might come in as a chorus if Mr. Bannerman does not accept the Speakership, is to the tune of "Old Bob Ridley, O!" and could be evidently neatly adapted to "O White Ridley, O!"
Mr. Slowman Sopht. "Oh come, I say, Miss Mawy, you on Foot? Why, if Hounds run, a Fellah'll never see you again all day!"
Miss Mary. "Dear, dear, how trying it is! Because, you know, when I ride and Hounds run, I never seem to see You again all day!"
AWFUL REVELATIONS!
[Mr. Leslie Stephen, speaking at Toynbee Hall the other day, stated that the members of the Athenæum had deserted the classics for the pages of Punch and the latest French novel.]
Scene—The Library of a well-known Club, where are discovered a few Bishops, Judges, M.P.'s, and other persons "distinguished in literature or art."
Academician (chuckling over Marcel Prévost's latest audacity, to M.P., who is puzzling out the "Journal du prince" in Daudet's "La Petite Paroisse"). I say, old man, lend me your pocket dictionary for a moment, will you?
M.P. Certainly; only it doesn't give half the words. (Sighs, aside.) Why didn't I learn more French at Eton! These mœurs conjugales beat me every now and then at the most interesting point!
A Professor of Metaphysics (who has concealed J. H. Rosny's "Renouveau" behind a file of the "Times," and is sitting on Lavedan's "Les Marionettes," to himself). I really cannot go home till I have cleared up the relations between Chagny and Madame d'Argonne!
A Judge (caught reading "Le Mariage de Chiffon" by a Bishop, apologetically). Ah, I find my French gets rusty without systematic daily practice. Why, would you believe it, I found yesterday I had forgotten what en goguettes meant!
Bishop. Ahem, I believe it is a synonym for en ribote, with nearly the vulgar connotation of gris or soul—tipsy, you know! (Hastily, to Waiter, aware that he has displayed a rather too close acquaintance with Gallic slang.) Kindly fetch me to-day's number of Punch.
Waiter. They are all engaged, my Lord.
Bishop. Then let me look at last week's issue again.
Head Master of Public School (dubiously). Dare I be seen with Madame Chrysanthème? (Noticing that all the quiet corners are occupied with students of French literature.) No—another time!
Leading Novelist. Here's Leslie Stephen been betraying us! He says, what is only too true, that we've abandoned the standard authors, including myself, for Punch!
Cabinet Minister (as a deus ex machinâ). Well, Mr. Punch IS a classic. To read him is a liberal education!
ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.
EXTRACTED FROM THE DIARY OF TOBY, M.P.
House of Commons, Monday Night, March 11.—A great cloud fallen over House to-day. Soon the stately presence that fills the Chair will step forth, never to return. The sonorous voice that can still the storm in its angriest mood will no more resound through the hushed Chamber. The best Speaker the House of Commons in its long history has known, will be merged in the mediocrity of the House of Lords. A hard succession of blows to fall on an assembly. First Mr. G., then Grandolph, and now Arthur Peel, three men of wholly varied type, each unique, in his way reaching the highest level.
Suppose we shall get along somehow, though for all concerned in business of House, in maintaining its usefulness and supporting its dignity, the future without Peel in the Chair not to be regarded without foreboding. He has every quality and gift that go to make the ideal Speaker. A noble presence, a fine voice, a courtly manner, a resolute will, a full knowledge of the forms of the House, a keen though decently suppressed sense of humour—a scholar and a gentleman. These things are seen and recognised from outside. Only those who live and work in the House of Commons know how marvellous is the combination, how infinite in its magnitude the loss impending.
Tuesday.—Talk to-night all about successor to the Speaker. A dozen names mentioned; general conclusion that whoever may be selected, he's not to be envied. The Member for Sark, turning up to-night for first time this Session, brings strange news. Has been on the Riviera, daily expecting influenza. Saw Mr. G. yesterday; the talk at Cap Martin, as here, all about the soon-to-be emptied Chair, and who is to fill it. Sark tells me he is quite certain Mr. G. is thinking of coming forward as candidate; is (so Sark says, and he is a most reliable person) evidently eating out his heart in voluntary retirement. Now he's got his Psalter out, doesn't know what to do next.
"I asked him," Sark says, "whether there was any precedent for an ex-Prime Minister, however young in years and untamed in energy, becoming Speaker."
"Not exactly," he said; "but there is the case of a Speaker who[Pg 144] became Prime Minister. Addington, you will remember, Speaker in 1789, was Premier at the turn of the century. It was said of him, by the way, that he never quite overcame the force of old habits. When engaged with the Cabinet in consideration of foreign affairs he had difficulty in refraining from saying 'The French to the right, the Austrians to the left.' Don't see why the case shouldn't be taken the other way about, and an ex-Premier become Speaker. Fancy I may take it that I have some qualifications for the post. Know the House pretty intimately; have been familiar with it for some years. Am told I never looked so picturesque as when, on public occasions, I wore official gown of Chancellor of Exchequer. Think the Speaker's dress would suit me. But that a mere trifle. What I hanker after, at my time of life, at the close of a career not absolutely free from hard work, is some post not too arduous. Seems to me the Speakership would be the very thing; just enough to do, and not too much."
Mr. G. (disguised in Speaker's wig and gown). "Rather fancy the costume would suit me down to the ground!"
If it had been anyone but Sark had said this, would have listened with incredulity. But Sark most respectable man.
Business done.—Robertson in excellent speech explained Navy Estimates.
Thursday.—The Silence of Silomio. No, it's not the title of a novel. You're thinking of the late Dean Maitland. This quite another story; equally tragic. Came about this way. House met to deal with Army Estimates. Cawmel-Bannerman in his place, after ten days in his bedroom with a cold. The cold must have had most amusing companion, that is if Cawmel was as pawky with it as he was to-night with the semi-military horde led by Private Hanbury, who swooped down and barred approach to Committee, These deployed in the open; placed their amendments on the paper. House knew what to expect. Never suspected Silomio in ambush.
As soon as questions over, plot disclosed. Cochrane, a harmless, perhaps necessary, man, put up to move adjournment, in order to discuss the Swazi question. That in itself a stroke of genius. Had Silomio personally moved, game would have seemed too stale. Probability is forty Members not been found to stand up in support of motion. Looks much better to have such action taken on one side of House and supported from the other; invests it with air of impartiality and unanimity. On challenge from the Speaker, Conservatives rose in body to support Cochrane's request. Having secured that object, and being on their legs, they strolled out, leaving Squire of Malwood, Sydney Buxton, and about a score of others all told, to listen to Cochrane's urgent message. Amongst them sat Frank Lockwood, with tender gleam in eyes that roamed with curious intentness about Speaker's chair.
Whilst Cochrane spoke, Silomio sat with inspired look on his face, making voluminous notes. He would come on by-and-by. Let others keep the thing going as long as possible; just when hapless Ministers thought it was over, and they might get to business, they should hear a well-known war-whoop; should discover Silomio at the table, in for a good hour's speech. Meanwhile he sat piling notes upon notes, pausing occasionally to cheer Cochrane, anon humming softly to himself
"Swaziland, my Swaziland!"
"Our Artist"—Sir Frank Blockwood, Q.C., M.P.
Under Secretary for Colonies deprecated in public interest irregular discussion of question at present time. Gorst, hampered by this responsibility, made curiously halting speech. Baden-Powell spoke "as one who had been in South Africa"; Squire of Malwood more gravely repeated Sydney Buxton's warning. Now was Silomio's time. But before he could move Prince Arthur was on his feet, positively, with some commonplaces about respecting Ministerial responsibility, consenting to close the conversation!
Silomio gasped for breath; instinctively felt for his assegai; clutched at his notes dripping with the gore of Sydney Buxton. When he had partially mastered his emotion the amendment was withdrawn and opportunity had fled.
"Sic vos non vobis vellera fertis oves," said Plunket soothingly. "But never mind. You remember that in the end Virgil got his own, and Bathylius was basted." Silomio stared.
Business done.—Silomio contrives a debate and others talk.
Friday Night.—Policemen in lobby much startled by incident that preceded arrival of Speaker to resume sittings at nine o'clock. The steady tramp of a column in marching order broke on the ear. Came nearer and nearer from direction of dining-room; swinging doors flung open; Colonel of the Queen's Westminster Volunteers entered. Behind him, in close order, tramped something like score of members. At word of command they took half turn to right and passed into House, as in earlier days another British column swung through the gates of Delhi.
Ten minutes later, more than half the force were observed to come out of the House, look furtively round, and dash off in various directions, some to smoking-room, some to reading-room, and some clear off the premises. But they had done their appointed work, and Howard Vincent, an old campaigner, had secured opportunity for delivering his speech on hostile tariffs and bounties.
Grave doubt at morning sitting whether House could be made for the alluring joy. Vincent took up position in lobby much as recruiting-sergeant shows himself near Trafalgar Square. Accosted all Members passing by. Offered them free rations and front seats for the lecture if they would stay. Soon picked up enough men to reduce chances of count out. Dinner, I am told, a little exciting, especially towards the end. Several Members discovered straying towards the door. But the ex-captain, of the Royal Berks Militia not to be trifled with. Kept them together past the cheese; delivered every man in the House one minute and thirty seconds before the Speaker took the Chair. If any skulked out when the Colonel was once embarked on his lecture he, of course, couldn't interfere. But they mustn't suppose their departure wasn't marked. No more free rations for them.
Business done.—By reason of Cawmell-Bannerman's great persuasiveness men and money for Army voted at morning sitting.
Seaside Mem.—The Society recently started to abolish Tide-houses will not include Bathing Machines within the scope of its operations.