Lives but to show how sweet an Earl
In House of Lords may bloom.
Business done.—Clause III. added to Welsh Disestablishment Bill.
Thursday.—The Bashful Bartley, temporarily overcoming a constitutional weakness that is the despair of his friends, and has proved a serious block in the way of his public advancement, put himself forward just now. Is disturbed by dalliance of Lord Brassey, sometime ago appointed Governor of Victoria. Bartley has conviction that if, in good time coming, his party should acknowledge faithful service by appointing him to Governorship, he would lose no time in entering upon his new sphere of usefulness. That course Lord Brassey might be expected to follow. "Instead of which, he goes about the country—stealing ducks," Bartley, impelled by swing of the quotation, was about to add. Pulling himself up in time, he added, "making party political speeches in favour of candidates at elections."
Sydney Buxton, in his most Severe-Young-Man-manner, informed the not quite Blameless Bartley that Brassey not yet set out to undertake Governorship of Victoria because he is not yet Governor. Hopetoun's term does not expire till September, and unless it were desired to run the risk of a sort of colonial Box and Cox scene, it would be well he should await the due date of his succession.
Bartley blushed, said nothing—at least, not aloud. To himself muttered, "They may say what they like; but, after all, bashfulness is the best policy."
The Tiresome Tomlinson so affected by this repulse of an esteemed friend and neighbour that when, later in sitting, Bartley, forgetting his pious resolve, moved amendment to Budget Bill exempting a wife's revenues from income-tax, T. T., rushing out to support him in division lobby, lost the way. When he arrived at lobby door, found it locked. Rattled at handle; kicked panel. For only reply came whisper through keyhole, in voice he recognised as Tommy Bowles': "Too late. Go away, you foolish virgin."
"Bad enough," said T. T., "to lose chance of voting against the Government. But why Tommy Bowles should call me a foolish virgin, I don't know. Do I look like one?"
Business done.—Scotch Grand Committee set up. Opposition straightway go and gather sticks wherewith to knock it down.
Friday.—Came across little group in lobby just now steeped in brackish waters of tribulation. Only three of them, but they seemed to have all the trouble of the world divided amongst them.