Walter shaking a minatory forefinger, sideways, at the right hon.
gentleman, not looking at him, but pointing him out to the scorn of
mankind and the reprobation of country gentlemen: "Yet _he knows_ [here
the finger wags]--and--_knows full well_--in the--position he
occupies--making a proposal of this kind--must be one--which--must
be--fatal--to--the Bill. _No one knows better_ than the right hon.
gentleman--that when--he--raises a great question _of this kind_--upon a
Bill _of this sort_--_namely_ upon the second reading--of--this
Bill--that that proposal--that he makes--is absolutely against the
principle--of--the Bill. Now, I--de--ny that the principle--of--this
Bill--is confined--and _is to be found_--in the 5th Schedule--of--the
Bill."

A few minutes later an illustration occurred to the inspired orator, and
was thus brought under the notice of the entranced House:--

"Now, Denmark--it is a _remark_--able country, is _Den_--mark--for--we
have little--or no--dis--ease from _Den_--mark. The importation--from
_Den_--mark--is something like fifty-six--thousand--cattle--_and the_
curious part of it is this, that _nine_teen--thousand--of
these--were--cows--and _these cows_ came--to--this country--and--had
been allowed to go--_all over_--this country--and--I have never yet
heard--that these cows that--have so--gone over _this country_--have
spread any disease--in this country--."

This was a mannerism which amused the House at the time, but did nothing
to obscure the genuine qualities of Sir Walter, or lessen the esteem in
which he was held. It cannot be said that the House of Commons was
habitually moved by his argument in debate. But he was held in its
warmest esteem, and his memory will long be cherished as linked with the
highest type of English country gentleman.

THE PAYMENT OF MEMBERS.

At this time of writing there is talk in the House about payment of
members. A private member has placed on the paper a resolution affirming
the desirability of adopting the principle, and it is even said--(which
I take leave to doubt)--that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has a card
up his sleeve intended to win this game. It would be rash to predict
stubborn resistance on the part of a body that has so often proved
itself open to conviction as has the House of Commons. But I should say
that to secure this end it would need a tussle quite as prolonged and as
violent as has raged round Home Rule. Lowering and widening the