of the calamity overshadowing the Pontefract
Cricket Club whose playing pitch has been damaged through subsidence
caused by underground workings.

* * * * *

Illustration: A GENEROUS RESTRAINT.

* * * * *

"I believe the Almighty has endowed us all with a certain amount of
brains; but we don't all use them." (Cheers).--_Mr. TICKLER in the
debate on the Plural Voting Bill._

Situation raised nice questions as to responsibility of the underground
leaseholder and the prospect of compensation from coal royalties.
PREMIER as fully informed on these subjects as later he proved himself
when by way of Supplementary Question AMERY, with pretty air of one
really in search of elementary information, inquired "In whose hands is
the government of Ireland at the present moment?" "In the hands of HIS
MAJESTY'S Ministers," said ASQUITH.

Illustration: "The one thing borne home to me was what a genius the
Irish people have for admiring each other."--_Mr. BIRRELL._

All very well for Duchy of Lancaster. Its affairs in strong capable
hands. But that does little to assuage grief of WORTHINGTON-EVANS. For
months before the day when MASTERMAN, greatly daring, exchanged safe
position of Secretary of Treasury for dizzy heights of Duchy of
Lancaster, WORTHINGTON-EVANS was daily accustomed to pose him with
questions as to working of Insurance Act. In MASTERMAN'S enforced
absence from House WEDGWOOD BENN placed in charge of Insurance Act
Department. Does a difficult business exceedingly well. Has earned
approval from both sides of House. But WORTHINGTON-EVANS is
inconsolable. His feelings find expression in couple of lines, learned
at his mother's knee, descriptive of anguish of blind boy parted from
his brother by ruthless hand of death:--

Oh, give my brother back to me;
I cannot play alone.

Visibly brightened up on eve of Ipswich election, which seemed to
promise return of the wanderer. As to-night he sits forlorn in corner
seat below Gangway to left of SPEAKER, gazing sadly at corner of
Treasury bench opposite (once amply filled by figure of former Secretary
of Treasury), STEPHEN GWYNNE, seated next to him, gently nudges BUTCHER,
and with softened memories of _Peggotty_ contemplating _Mrs. Gummidge_
in exceptionally low spirits, whispers, "He's thinking of the old 'un."

_Business done._--After brief unsparkling debate Plural Voters Bill read
a third time. H