Bill; talked about "Our Bill," and
disclosed familiarity with its details remarkable since, at the time
he spoke, it was not printed. Doesn't blunder twice along same road.
Pretty to see him yesterday inviting LORD-ADVOCATE across the table to
explain details of measure, he asked leave to introduce, dealing with
state of things in Highlands and Islands of Scotland. CHAMBERLAIN
being much interested in question, having marked it for his own, might
be supposed to have been consulted by LORD-ADVOCATE before Bill was
drafted. All a mistake. JOSEPH knew no more about it than an ordinary
Member of Opposition, and would be much obliged if LORD-ADVOCATE would
briefly sketch his Bill.

To-night, on Committee on Education Bill, MUNDELLA moved Amendment
extending beyond fourteen years limit of age at which fee grants would
be made. DYKE obdurate. JOKIM wrung his hands, and protested thing
couldn't be done. Hour after hour Debate went forward, Ministers
refusing to budge; JOSEPH chanced to look in after dinner; thinks it
would be well to accept Amendment; says so in brief incisive speech,
a very model of debate; and OLD MORALITY straightway capitulates.
Remarkable state of things; as a study more interesting even than
mathematics.

_Business done_.--Education Bill in Committee.

_Thursday_.--Land Purchase Bill came on in Lords for Committee stage.
House unusually crowded; quite animated in appearance; when at
length it gets into Committee LORD CHANCELLOR leaves Woolsack and,
still wearing wig and gown, lends new air of grace and dignity to
Ministerial Bench. Sits between MARKISS and ASHBOURNE. Wonder what the
MARKISS thinks of him? For a cheerful, social, soothing hour, imagine
nothing more supreme than the confidences of the MARKISS in respect to
some half-dozen other of his colleagues.

[Illustration: Lord Colchester.]

Before Committee is reached, The MCCULLUM MORE comes to front, and
modestly engrosses attention. Other Peers prepared, once in while,
to buckle down to hard night's work, fighting over Clauses of Bill
in Committee. That sort of obscure labour might suit them, but not
the thing to attract the MCCULLUM MORE. Had already enjoyed himself
on Second Reading, delivering one of those orations which, as
COLCHESTER says, may be magnificent but are not debate. That should
have satisfied vanity of ordinary man; but the MCCULLUM MORE not
an ordinary man. There were several things he forgot to say in the
speech. Others