zen Members on Ministerial Benches; a score on
Opposite side; others in ambush, especially on Ministerial side.

"AKERS-DOUGLAS, like _Roderick Dhu_, need only blow his horn and the
glen is filled with armed men," said Colonel MALCOLM, who knows
his Walter Scott by heart. The DOUGLAS being a man of modern ideas,
doesn't blow his horn: would be unparliamentary; might lead to his
being named and relegated to the Clock Tower. Effect brought about
when bell rings for Division; then Members troop in in fifties.
"What's the Question?" they ask each other, as they stand at Bar.
Nobody quite sure. Some say it's wages of Envoy Extraordinary at
Buenos Ayres; others affirm it's salary of Chaplain of Embassy in
Vienna. A third believes it's something to do with the Nyassa region;
a fourth is sure it's Turks in Armenia; whilst Member who has heard
portion of one of several speeches delivered by SAGE OF QUEEN ANNE'S
GATE, says it's Motion made to provide a Chaplain for DRUMMOND WOLFF,
whose forlorn condition, planted out amid Mahommedans in Teheran, SAGE
has been lamenting. Few quite sure of actual question; fewer still
heard it debated. But no time to lose. House cleared for Division.
Must go in one Lobby or other; so Ministerialists follow each other
like sheep; Opposition flock into other Lobby. Amendment (whatever it
is) negatived by 134 Votes against 69.

In conversation about Vienna Chaplaincy WINTERBOTHAM comes to front.
"Why," he asks, "should we support an English church in Vienna more
than in other Continental towns, where the residents provide the
funds? Not many months ago I was in the church at Vienna; called upon
to hand the plate round, and there were only a few shillings to hand
over to expectant parson."

"Very good story," said WILFRID LAWSON; "but if I was WINTERBOTHAM,
wouldn't tell it again. _What became of the money?_"

_Business done._--Diplomatic and Consular Vote obtained.

_Tuesday._--OLD MORALITY proposes forthwith to take morning sittings
on Tuesdays and Fridays. Private Members in state of burning
indignation. Scarcely anything left to them but Tuesdays. On Fridays
Government business takes precedence. Notices of Amendment may be
moved on going into Committee of Supply; but so hampered that hardly
any use as outlet for legislative energies of private Members.
On Tuesdays have it all to themselves. May move Amendments, take
Divisions, and generally enjoy themselves. Now OLD MORALITY comes
along "Like