To Trumble, whom his friends call simply "Hugh."
Well played, Australia! Banks may fail—they do,
And, truth to tell, you have lost one or two,
But this at any rate's a clear deduction—
Your Cricket Team can need no reconstruction!
ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.
EXTRACTED FROM THE DIARY OF TOBY, M.P.
House of Commons, Monday, July 31.—No one who chanced last Thursday to see Hayes Fisher and Logan engaged in controversy on Front Opposition Bench would suspect them of essentially retiring disposition. This conclusively proved to-night. Decided on further consideration that something must really be done in direction of modifying effects of Thursday's riot. Someone must apologise. This put to Hayes Fisher, who delighted Walrond with swiftness, even enthusiasm, of acquiescence.
"Right you are, dear boy," he cried. "I have thought so from the first. Indeed I have publicly placed the matter in its true light. Daresay you read my little affidavit written within an hour of what I quite agree with the Speaker in alluding to as 'the regrettable incident.' Here's what I said: 'To put a stop to his (Logan's) aggressive conduct, I immediately seized him by the neck and forcibly ejected him on to the floor of the House. That began the scrimmage.' Then I go on to point the moral, though indeed it points itself. This is where you and I particularly agree. 'In my opinion the responsibility for the discreditable scene rests even more with Mr. Gladstone than with Mr. Logan.' Yes, Walrond, you are quite right in what you are about to say. I have shown clearly that Mr. G. was at the bottom of the whole business, and he should apologise. Don't you think he'd better be brought in at the Bar? And if he spent a night or two in the Clock Tower it would have most wholesome effect, vindicate dignity of House, and prevent recurrence of these regrettable scenes."