"—— but not clear."
Afterwards Blackburn and Stockport were "taken"—"As if they were goes of gin," said the Member for Sark; Rathbone turning over papers, which appeared to have got upside down, recited heaps of figures. These struck him the more he studied them. Anonymous Accountant seemed to have brought him completely under a spell. His highly respectable appearance, his evident earnestness, his accumulated mass of figures, his engagement of the Accountant, the tone of his voice, his general attitude, all conveyed impression that he was really saying something intelligible and useful. The few Members present honestly endeavoured to follow him; might have got a clue only for Sinclair.
At end of first half-hour Rathbone began to show signs of distress. Sinclair thought he was signalling for water; prepared to go for glass; something wrong; Rathbone violently agitated; nodding and winking and pointing to recess under bench before him. House now really excited. Began to think that perhaps the Accountant was hidden down there. If he could be only got up, might explain matters. Sinclair sharing general agitation, dived under seat; reappeared attempting to secrete small medicine bottle, apparently containing milk-punch; drew cork with difficulty; poured out dose, handed it to Rathbone. Rathbone gulped it down; smacked his lips; much refreshed; evidently good for another hour.
"I said to the Accountant," he continued, "if the Magistrates of Sheffield had indiced these lorcences—I mean endorsed those licences——."
Off again, wading with the Accountant knee-deep in figures from Leeds to Sheffield, back to Birmingham, across to Liverpool, on to York, with occasional sips of milk-punch. A wonderful performance that held in breathless attention few Members present to hear it.
"It is magnificent," said the Member for Sark; "but it isn't clear."
Business done.—Rathbone's great speech on the Licensing Question.
Wednesday.—Quite lively for Wednesday afternoon. At outset, apparently nothing particular in wind. Irish Members had first three places on Agenda, but that nothing unusual. Prospect was, that Debate on their first Bill, appropriating Irish Church Fund to provide Dwellings for Agricultural Labourers, would occupy whole of Sitting; be divided on just before half-past five. To make sure, Akers-Douglas issued Whip to Ministerialists, urging them to be in their places as early as four.
"Never know what the Bhoys will do," he said, sagely. "Like to be on the safe side. Division at five, so be here at four."
The Bhoys came down in great force at one o'clock; only a score or so of Ministerialists visible. Fox rose to move Second Reading of Bill. Good for an hour if necessary. Long John O'Connor, that Eiffel Tower of patriotism, ready to Second Motion, in a discourse of ninety minutes.
"May as well make an afternoon of it," he says, gazing round the expectant but empty Benches opposite.
Fox just started, when happy thought struck Irish Members. If they divided at once, before Ministerial majority arrived, could carry Second Reading; so Brer Fox doubled, and in ten minutes got back home. Long John folded himself up, till casual passer-by might have mistaken him for Picton. Conservatives, not ready for this manœuvre, dumfounded. Division imminent; only thing to be done was to make speeches till four o'clock and majority arrived. Everybody available pressed into service. Charles Lewis, coming up breathless, declared that "promoters of Bill, wished by a side-stab in the wind of the Government"—he meant by a side-wind—"to stab the Measure on the same subject the Government had brought forward."
That was better; though how you stab by a side-wind not explained. Prince Arthur threw himself languidly into fray. Talked up to quarter past three; majority beginning to trickle in, T. W. Russell moved Adjournment of Debate. Defeated by 94 votes against 68. Irish Members evidently in majority of 26. Prince Arthur, with eye nervously watching door, wished that night or Blucher would come. Neither arriving, stepped aside, letting Irish Members carry their Bill; which they did, amid tumultuous cheering.
"It's of no consequence, I assure you," Prince Arthur said, quoting Mr. Toots when he inadvertently sat down on Florence Dombey's best bonnet. "They may carry their Bill, but we'll take the money."
Business done.—Irish Members out-manœuvre Government.
Friday.—Second Reading of Compensation Bill carried at early hour this morning, after dull debate. Morning Sitting to-day for Supply. Duller than ever. Dullest of all, Jokim on Treasury Bench in charge of Estimates.
