Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 105, August 19th 1893

by Various

EXTRACTED FROM THE DIARY OF TOBY, M.P.

House of Commons, Monday, August 7.—House brisked up to-day on approaching Report Stage Home-Rule Bill; over three hundred Members present, including Joseph, fresh from Birmingham; on whole, a melancholy gathering. At outset every appearance of collapse. Influence of Bank Holiday over it all. Ministers who should have been in places to answer questions not arrived. Worse still when Home-Rule Bill reached, and new Clauses called on. Turned out Prince Arthur was still dallying at Dulwich, Heneage 'appy at 'Ampstead, Wolmer tarrying by the giddy swing on Peckham Rye. Bartley, ever ready to sacrifice himself in interests of Empire, proposed to move new Clauses for absentees, but Speaker wouldn't have it; so passed on to Parker Smith. P. S., as sometimes happens in correspondence, proved most important part of letter. He had quite a cluster of Clauses; moved them in succession through long and dreary night.