ed. Yes, it was
ASQUITH. With genial smile and friendly grip of the hand he welcomed the
new Member. Delighted Ministerialists cheered again at this happy
conclusion of the episode.

_Business done._--Committee stage of Bill pledging national credit for loan
to East African Protectorates entered upon. Not without opposition from
Ministerial benches. ALPHEUS CLEOPHAS MORTON, of whom we hear little in
these degenerate days, insisted that this kind of charity should begin at
home--that is in the Highlands of Scotland. WEDGWOOD and THORNE thought
Government had gone far enough in the way of lavish expenditure of
tax-payers' money by providing them and others with salaries of L400 a
year. From other side of House BANBURY made several speeches in succession.
Division called and opposition swamped.

_Wednesday._--"Such larks!" as _Joe Gargery_ used to say to _Pip_ when they
met for confidential confabulation. Of all men it was COUSIN HUGH began
them. At first sight difficult to associate tendency to larkiness with
austerity of Member for Oxford University. But human nature is complex,
and, after all, COUSIN HUGH is only human.

In a former Parliament he was convicted of what was officially known as
loitering in the Lobby. It was a Wednesday afternoon, and in those days
debate automatically stood adjourned at half-past five. Business to the
fore related to Marriage with a Deceased Wife's Sister. Every prospect of
Resolution being approved if there were opportunity for division. The thing
to do was to prevent one taking place. Accordingly, when House divided on
Closure motion, COUSIN HUGH and his confederates were such an
unconscionably long time returning to their places that half-past five
struck before main question could be put from Chair. Debate accordingly
stood adjourned for indefinite period.

A fortnight ago another of those domestic questions which stir COUSIN
HUGH'S soul to the depths came up. At the ballot-box a Member secured
favourable position for motion relating to Divorce. COUSIN HUGH straightway
blocked it by a bogus Bill. Last Wednesday Opposition proposed on motion
for adjournment for Easter to attack Government from divers points of
compass. Ministerialists, taking leaf out of COUSIN HUGH'S book, put down
notices that blocked the whole lot. To-day PREMIER'S attention called to
the matter. Admits "situation is scandalous"; undertakes forthwith to
submit Resolution dealing with it.

Characteristically odd