Young Harry obtaining his Majority on Coming of Age in the Parliamentary Time.
It was on Bimetallism. Like olives and claret, Bimetallism quite an acquired taste; ordinary Member will have none of it; flees House when subject announced. In the Parliamentary world, Bimetallism supplies part of the Browning or Ibsen cult known out-of-doors. Analogy accurate inasmuch, that whilst mass of mankind are averse to contemplation of topic, the few faithful pass all ordinary bounds in the enthusiasm of their worship. Thus, for upwards of hour to-night, Meysey-Thompson handled it as if he loved it. Montagu, whilst musically jingling in trowser-pocket handful of newly-minted sovereigns, equally adulatory. Then Mr. G. walked in. It was reasonably thought in advance that Bimetallism would prove too much even for the charm of his oratory. Had evidently come down unprepared for special effort; neither sheaf of notes nor pomatum-pot. He listened to mover and seconder, and then just talked to entranced House, crowding up in every corner. Quite surprised, as Mr. G. was himself when he sat down, to find he'd been talking for an hour.
Business done.—House declares by 229 votes against 148, will have nothing to do with Bimetallism.
Wednesday.—Hear a very pleasant thing in connection with an old friend. Am told that as soon as Local Veto Bill passes into law, Wilfrid Lawson is to be raised to the Peerage.
"Why not?" asks Squire of Malwood. "On the principle that the Devil shouldn't have all the good tunes suitable for Wesley's hymns, why should the Trade have the monopoly of the Peerage? Why shouldn't there be a Viscount Appolinaris as well as a Baron Bass, a Lord Barleywater to pair off with a Baron Barleycorn? Let us drink (in toast-and-water), health and long life to Lord Barleywater of Brayton!"
Business done.—In discussion on Irish National Education Bill Grandolph effects little surprise. Been running admirably in double harness with Prince Arthur. This afternoon suddenly jibs; nearly upsets coach.
Friday, 1 A.M.—"Begin to think, Toby," said Prince Arthur, as we walked home together in the moonlight, "that we shall scotch this Home-Rule Bill yet. Expectation only just dawned on me. When I went down to House in the afternoon, was of different opinion. Had philosophically settled down to acceptance of inevitable. Might maim it a bit in Committee; play with it so as to block off other business, and send it up to Lords at so late period of Session that they would seem justified in throwing it out, on score of inadequate time to discuss it. Now I think we shall go one better. Courtney thought he could serve Unionist cause better from standpoint below Gangway. The supremest service he could render to that cause was effected when he created vacancy in Chair."
"Don't you think," I said, "they were a little hard on Mellor? Wasn't the sport something after the fashion of the gallant emprise in Windsor Park with the carted stag? And then the merry sportsmen didn't give the new Chairman the ordinary courtesy of a fair start and a little run."
"Oh," said Prince Arthur, "if you put it in that way, of course there's something to be said. But all is fair in hate and war. Mr. G. should have thought of that before he got rid of Courtney. Our business is to stop Home-Rule Bill from passing, and after to-night the way is clear, and the goal certain."
Business done.—New Chairman baited for an hour by Westminster Clock. Before the lawless, disorderly squabble about Law and Order in County Clare, regular foot-ball scrimmage, in which Saunderson naturally turned up. In one of the pauses the Colonel dropped into poetry? could hear him crooning to himself:—
There's Justice O'Brien of Clare,
How rare!
'Tis little for justice they care
Down there!
They're choke full of crimes,
(So at least says the Times),
And they've got no policemen to spare,
How quare!
They've got no policemen to spare.
Friday Night.—Seems, after all, Mellor quite right in his ruling yesterday. Point was that, on supplementary Estimate, you may not debate questions of policy settled when original vote agreed to. Prince Arthur denounced this as absolutely novel principle. Chamberlain kept game up from other side, and for full hour conviction borne in upon new Chairman that life not worth living. Speaker, appealed to to-day, declares Mellor to have been in the right. Report of Select Committee on Estimates. Procedure cited to show Courtney categorically laid down the principle challenged, and systematically acted upon it.
