Sleep, Mr. Speaker; sleep, sleep, while you may.
Blind Man's Buff with the Chairman; or, "The Mellor and His Men."
"Chairman must be on alert every moment in Committee. Rule under his jurisdiction is conversation as opposed to speech-making when Speaker in Chair. Any moment out of depths of dulness may suddenly rise a whirlwind, which he is expected forthwith to ride. Especially in connection with Bill like this now before Committee, Chairman is in state of tension from time he takes Chair till he leaves. Don't forget all this when you criticise Mellor, still new to place. He's a good fellow, and a shrewd one; but has, among other difficulties, to fight against proneness to good-nature. Good-nature out of place in the Chair. Courtney knew that, and successfully overcame his natural tendencies. Mellor too anxious to oblige. Must get over that. Above all, should never explain. Suddenly called upon for decision on knotty point, must needs make mistake sometimes. If he does, unless it be very serious, he should stick to it. For Chairman of Committees, better to be in the wrong and uphold authority of Chair, than to wriggle into the right at its expense. Mellor should be more monosyllabic in his style, more ruthless in his dealing with disorderly interruption, more wary about putting his foot down, but, being planted, it should be immovable. It would make his fortune if he could only name Chamberlain. That would be difficult, I know, for Joey C. is sly, dev'lish sly. He should begin with Jemmy Lowther, who gives plenty of chances. Thence he might work upwards. Is that a bell ringing? Yes. Must be off, or I'll get shut out. We've lately adopted the Early Closing Movement."
Certainly bell was ringing; it was for Division on Clause I. Still fact seems to run on all fours with what I remember Raikes talking of just now. Yet, again, when one comes to think of it, can a bell run on all fours? Everything very strange. Shall go and vote.
Business done.—Clause I. agreed to.
TO THE WOOLSACK.
Sincere congratulations for
Our conscience-keeping Chancellor.