PARNELL'S PARLIAMENTARY PUPPETS. THE STRINGS IN A
TANGLE!]

* * * * *

[Illustration: LORD'S IN DANGER. THE M.C.C. GO OUT TO MEET THE ENEMY.

"Sir EDWARD WATKIN proposes to construct a Railway passing through
Lord's Cricket Ground."]

* * * * *

ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

EXTRACTED FROM THE DIARY OF TOBY, M.P.

_House of Commons, Monday, December 1._--Tithes Bill down for Second
Reading. GRAND YOUNG GARDNER places Amendment on the paper, which
secures for him opportunity of making a speech. Having availed
himself of this, did not move his Amendment; opening thus made for
STUART-RENDEL, who had another Amendment on the paper. Would he move
it? Only excitement of Debate settled round this point. Under good
old Tory Government new things in Parliamentary procedure constantly
achieved. Supposing half-a-dozen Members got together, drew up a
number of Amendments, then ballot for precedence, they might arrange
Debate without interposition of SPEAKER. First man gets off his
speech, omits to move Amendment: second would come on, and so on, on
to the end of list. But STUART-RENDEL moved Amendment, and on this
Debate turned.

[Illustration: Osborne Ap Morgan.]

Not very lively affair, regarded as reflex of passionate protestation
of angry little Wales. OSBORNE AP MORGAN made capital speech, but few
remained to listen. Welshmen at outset meant to carry Debate over to
next day; couldn't be done; and by half-past eleven, STUART-RENDEL's
Amendment negatived by rattling majority.

Fact is, gallant little Wales was swamped by irruptive Ireland.
To-day, first meeting of actual Home Rule Parliament held, and
everybody watching its course. This historic meeting gathered in
Committee-room No. 15; question purely one of Home Rule; decided,
after some deliberation, that, in order to have proceedings in due
dramatic form, there should be incorporated with the meeting an
eviction scene. After prolonged Debate, concluded that, to do the
thing thoroughly, they should select PARNELL as subject of eviction.

"No use," TIM HEALY said, "in half-doing the thing. The eyes of the
Universe are fixed upon us. Let us give them a show for their money."

PARNELL, at first, demurred; took exception on the ground that, as
he had no fixed place of residence, he was not convenient subject
for eviction; objection over-ruled; then PARNELL insisted that, if
he yielded on this point, he must