ere an
Irish County Councillor under Prince ARTHUR's new Bill. Only last
Friday, in debate preceding the very Division now under discussion,
he had delivered an Address which disclosed intimate acquaintance with
topographical bearings of rarely trodden wilds in Central Africa.
Had shown how an Agent of East Africa Company, setting forth from
So-and-so, had, after perilous passage, reached So-on. After a night
of broken rest, his pillow soothed by the roar of GRANDOLPH's nine
lions, he had set out again. Crossing the River So-forth he wandered
for hours, carrying the flag of his country through the limitless
plains of Etcetera.
House listened entranced, whilst PELLY hurried them from So-on to
So-forth.
"Excellent speech," said the SQUIRE OF MALWOOD, himself not unfamiliar
with land-surveying; "but the country seems a little monotonously
named."
"It's not that," cried PELLY, interrupting; "the fact is, I can't
pronounce the names in the despatches, and call them So-on."
House delighted with this explanation; PELLY found himself at one
bound in front rank of Parliamentary orators. This only last Friday;
to-day called upon to defend himself from charge of breaking written
law of Parliament. Bad this, but worse to come. When PELLY's pensive
voice died away, COURTNEY rose from Chair and sternly said, "In
accordance with practice of the House, the three Hon. Members will
now withdraw." So they strode forth, clothed with innocence. PULESTON
first, with ghastly smile on his face; BURDETT-COUTTS next, wondering
what they would think of this in Stratton Street; PELLY bringing
up the rear, the forlornest file that ever passed between ranks of
jeering spectators, slowly making their way from So-on to So-forth.
_Business done._--None.
[Illustration: The Salvationist Solicitor-General.]
_Thursday._--"The Leadership isn't all beer and skittles, is it?"
I said to Prince ARTHUR just now, trying to put the best face on a
melancholy business.
"No," he said, shortly, "and it isn't public business at all."
Quite true. What officers in command of sham-fights call "the general
idea" of the Sitting to-night, was--questions beginning at half-past
three; over probably at four; House in Committee; take up Army
Estimates; peg away at them till midnight; then "Who goes home?"
Time-table of what actually took place slightly, but firmly different.
House met at three; prayers, which appropriately prefaced HENRY
FOWLER's motion to pe
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