eads
the brass band in the Malleable Iron Works."

That settled it. Thenceforward MATTHEWS regarded as a doomed man.
CHAMBERLAIN made speech conclusively showing innocence of Miss CASS. Not
only was her father leader of the brass band, but it was clear she had
not been out of the house on the nights the policeman swore he saw her
in Regent Street. ATTORNEY-GENERAL came to rescue of colleague, but
movement ineffectual. Old Morality uttered some ponderous commonplaces
without avail. CAINE, revelling in temporary freedom, lashed the HOME
SECRETARY. GRANDOLPH, that pink of chivalry, finding his old friend and
colleague down, joyously jumped on him.

"I made him Home Secretary, and when I kicked over the traces of course
I expected him to resign with me. But he stuck to office and salary. I
said nothing, but I thought the more. Waited for my chance, and here it
is."

So GRANDOLPH prodded MATTHEWS in the back, buffetted him about the head,
and made him begin to wish that he'd resigned long ago. Motion for
adjournment of House carried to a Division, and Government defeated by
Majority of Five!

"A bad Cass--a very bad Cass!" repeated Old Morality, as he picked up
his papers, and went off in unexpectedly good time for dinner.

_Business done._--The HOME SECRETARY'S.

_Wednesday._--HENRY MATTHEWS spent pleasant quarter of an hour this
afternoon. SMITH came down, and surrendered unconditionally in the CASS
case. Promised to make the inquiry which MATTHEWS had refused. JOHN
DILLON suggested that, in order to save time, Ministers should in future
make up their minds what to do before the Division was taken. MATTHEWS
said nothing. Rather sorry for him. Thought I'd cheer him up a bit.

"Don't take this too much to heart," I said. "Good deal of talk about it
just now, but soon be forgotten."

"Take what to heart?" he asked, with pretty air of surprise. "SMITH is
only confirming what I said when I promised an inquiry."

"But then you refused it afterwards."

"Exactly. So, if SMITH had come down and refused the inquiry, I would
still have been all right. Don't you see?"

I didn't, quite. Perhaps it will come on further reflection. _Business
done._--Supply.

_Thursday._--Came upon curious scene in Lobby this afternoon, just after
prayers. F. W. MACLEAN, Member for Woodstock Division of Oxfordshire,
standing at full length near the Post-Office. To him enter GRANDOLPH,
making for House, anxious to see how MATTHEWS is looking