(By Our Artist in Fret-Work.)
At length Prince Arthur interposed; gently, but firmly, drew the coy Fisher to the front. His apology followed by one from the lingering Logan. Scene ended amid mutual tears.
"Yes, it's all very well," said Fisher, wringing his pocket-handkerchief and glaring angrily at Mr. G. "But, after all, the real criminal has escaped, and logic, as applicable to events of daily life, has received a staggering blow."
Business done.—Acland explained English Education Estimates in speech admirable alike in matter and manner.
Another Injustice to Ireland.
Tuesday.—Some men are born to trouble as the sparks fly upwards. Of these is William O'Brien. It would seem that fate had expended its malignity when Prince Arthur deprived him of his breeches. Now Joseph has appropriated his dinner-table. The lynx eye of Bartley detected the irregularity which disclosed existence of this fresh outrage. Bartley favourably known in House as guardian of its honour and dignity. From time to time spirit moves him suddenly to rise and point fat forefinger at astonished Mr. G., whom he has discovered in some fresh design upon stability of the Empire or symmetry of the Constitution. At stated hours, formerly on Thursdays ten o'clock now generally on stroke of midnight, he is seen and heard shouting "Gag! gag!"
"Odd," says Member for Sark, "how phrases change in similar circumstances though at different epochs. When Closure first invented, put in motion by dear Old Morality, and supported by Bartley, Hanbury, Jimmy Lowther, and the rest, it used to be spoken resentfully of as 'pouncing.' Now it is 'gagging.' But it is precisely the same, inasmuch as the minority of the day, against whom it is enforced, denounce it as iniquitous, whilst the majority, who took that view when they were on other side of House, now regard it as indispensable to conduct of public business. Bartley having lived through both epochs is useful illustration of this tendency. When Old Morality pounced on Irish members his lusty shout of approval used to echo through House with only less volume than now his roar of anguish goes up to glass roof when Old Morality's original thumbscrews are fitted on him and his friends. A quaint, mad world, my Toby."
To-night Bartley not so well-informed on subject as usual. Thought it was John Dillon, who, acting the part of Amphitryon, piloted his guests within preserves of members' private dining-room. Turned out it wasn't Dillon at all, but William O'Brien, who in most tragic manner tells how, having secured in advance a table for his guests, found when the dinner-hour struck Joseph and his Brethren seated thereat, merrily profiting by his forethought. Straightway O'Brien led his guests to the table in members' room which Unionist Leaders have marked for their own. This he appropriated, and there, regardless of surprised looks from ex-ministers at adjoining table, he truculently dined.