Certainly his speech has depressing effect. Members, with one consent, go out to think over what he is probably going to say. Convenient arrangement for them, but does not add to hilarity of proceedings, or vary impression Campbell-Bannerman's figure of speech conveys.
After Beach, Birrell, with a new chapter of Obiter Dicta. Some of the smartest things addressed to the empty seat where Chamberlain should have been on view. But Joseph not yet come up out of Egypt. Had he been here, and House a little fuller, the new chapter would have gone off capitally. As things turned out, there was a fatal unreality in situation, which House quick to realise. Pretty to see Members, as Birrell struggled with his notes, involuntarily sniffing, as if they recognised familiar whiff of midnight lamp.
"Worst of these impromptus prepared beforehand," said St. John Brodrick, himself a master of spontaneous speech, "is, you never know in what circumstances they may have to be delivered."
Towards midnight, some refreshment in the incursion of Swift Macneill. Came up smiling; handing himself round, as it were, for inspection, as sample of kind of persecution of Protestants that would follow in Ulster on enactment of Home-Rule Bill. "I'm a Protestant, Mr. Speaker," he shouted, beaming on the Chair, "and I'm sent here by a majority of 2,500 Catholic peasants to represent an Ulster Constituency."
The Hattitude of Dr. Tanner, Thursday morning, April 6.
Swift Macneill's smile infectious. It illumined with something of saintly halo the depressed figure of Dr. Barton, who, again breaking his vow of silence, confessed that yesterday he had been enrolled as Member of an Organisation in Ulster sworn to resist Home-Rule. "I don't know, Mr. Speaker," he said, in hoarse whisper, "what that act may involve, and I don't care. It may lead to my spending the remainder of my days in penal servitude." Whereat the jaded House merrily laughed.
Business done.—Second Reading Home-Rule Bill moved.
Friday.—A dull night, my masters. Still harping on Home Rule. Second night's debate on Second Reading. Naturally supposed to be in heyday of vigour. But Benches empty; level of oratory third-rate; Stansfeld a hoary Triton among the Minnows; Ellis Ashmead Bartlett (Knight) gloomily views the scene. "Thought you were going to speak to-night?" I said, "Read the announcement in the papers." Never forget the haughty, withering glance of Ellis Ashmead.