orters would not have so much trouble as now; and the patient
public would be spared the infliction in their daily organs of column
after column of parliamentary debate. The advantage of the Early-closing
Movement in the House of Commons would be, that it would compel the House
to adopt some measure of the kind. It is curious to trace the increase
of late hours. In Clarendon's time "the House met always at eight
o'clock and rose at twelve, which were the old parliamentary hours, that
the committees, upon whom the great burden of the business lay, might
have the afternoon for their preparation and despatch." Sometimes the
House seems to have met at cock-crowing. In the journals and old orders
of the House we find such entries as the following:--"March 26, 1604.
Having obtained permission of her Majesty to attend at eight, the Commons
previously met at six to treat on what shall be delivered tending the
reason of their proceedings." Again, "May 31, 1614. Ordered, that the
House shall sit every day at seven o'clock in the morning, and to begin
to read bills for the first time at ten." The journals record that on
Sunday, August 8, 1641, at six o'clock a.m., the Commons go down to St.
Margaret's, and hear prayers and a sermon, returning to the House at
nine. This, however, was occasioned by the eagerness of the members to
prevent the king's journey to Scotland, and a minute was made that it
should not be considered as a precedent. The Long Parliament resolved,
"that whosoever shall not be here at prayers every morning at eight
o'clock shall pay one shilling to the poor." James I. mentioned as an
especial grievance, that the Commons brought the protestation concerning
their liberties into the House _at six o'clock at night_, _by
candle-light_! "I move," said Serjeant Wylde, "against sitting in the
afternoon. This council is a grave council and sober, and ought not to
do things in the dark." Sir A. Haselrigge said he never knew good come
of candles. Sir William Waddington brought in two from the clerk against
the direction of the House, and was committed to the Tower next morning.
Having sat on the occasion till seven, Sir H. Vane complained, "We are
not able to hold out sitting thus in the night." After the Revolution
matters got worse. Bishop Burnet complains that the House did not meet
till twelve; and in the next generation Speaker Onslow adds, "This is
grown shamefully of late, even to two of the clock." In