e from a military stock which he
persists in wearing. There sits the Marquis of Clanricarde, who has
suffered much from public opinion, and who deserves to suffer, if only
his conduct in certain electioneering matters be taken into account. The
Earl of Granville is the leader of this small band; he is a pleasant
looking man, and speaks not badly for a lord. The Whig Nestor, the aged
Marquis of Lansdowne, worthy of remembrance for his friendship for Tom
Moore, is easily detected by his blue coat and brass buttons, that
remnant of the palmy days of party. None of these men are remarkable for
oratorical power. A strong contrast is presented by the illustrious
personage sitting on the next row, higher up, just opposite the
bishops--a severe, well-made, heavy, grey-haired man, who sits almost
silent and sullen, as if he had no feelings, as if the debate was a sham,
and he should be glad if it were over. We refer to

"The travelled thane, Athenian Aberdeen,"

the best-abused man, at one time, in her gracious Majesty's dominions,
but without whom, nevertheless, it is questionable whether the Queen's
Government could be carried on. Unfortunately, Lord Aberdeen is not the
man for the public. The public likes to be gammoned, and his lordship
cannot gammon. He is spare in words, cold and unimpassioned in delivery,
and somewhat too indifferent to party attacks. On neighbouring benches
are seated discontented Whigs, overlooked in the scramble for place, and
who therefore view the proceedings of all governments with an impartial,
but yet a jealous eye. Prominent amongst such is the sandy-looking
unamiable Earl Grey, who seems angry with himself and all the world,
because he is lame, and has not the command of the colonies. Below the
table are half-a-dozen benches, on which congregate a few peers till
dinner time. Here sits Earl Fitzwilliam--here also sits one of the most
frightful bores in the House, Lord Monteagle, who always speaks, and, for
a lord, cruelly long. That is the consequence of his having been in the
Lower House. Never stop to hear him. As soon as you see his bald head,
be off. The Dukes sit here. On the front bench on your right is the
Duke of Cambridge. On his left is seated the Duke of Newcastle, a
promising orator when a member of the Lower House, and a follower of Sir
Robert Peel. Crossing to the government benches, the Earl of Derby fills
the first place. We need not paint his portrait; th