EXTRACTED FROM THE DIARY OF TOBY, M.P.
House of Commons, Monday, November 6.—Prince Arthur in fine form to-night; made one of those speeches that distinctly enhance Parliamentary reputation. Ticklish situation for Leader of Opposition in face of Parish Councils Bill. Won't do, with General Election within measurable distance, to declare plump against it; still less will it suit party to support one of principal measures of a Government whose successive steps, however devious, are all bent upon goal of Home Rule. For two nights men rising from Opposition benches have endeavoured to wriggle through this difficulty; been more or less unsuccessful; Prince Arthur, with sure aim and light touch, does and says exactly right thing.
By all means let Hodge have a voice in direction of his own affairs; his best friend, the party who spent themselves in his behalf in Corn-Law days, who acted in his best interests whenever question of political enfranchisement or his relations to parson and squire cropped up—the great Tory party would be the very last to slacken effort for his prosperity. So anxious are they on the score, they would not imperil opportunity by throwing out this Bill on the Second Reading. But Prince Arthur showed, in little asides, that this particular measure is badly conceived, not nearly so good as what would have befallen Hodge had a Unionist Ministry been in office. For an hour the Prince spoke, displaying perfect mastery of the subject, managing, without assuming a hostile attitude, to bestow upon the measure some damaging blows.
