Men say I have honoured that Chair ever since,
With the poise of a judge and the mien of a prince.
Perhaps! But I'm weary, and glad, I declare,
To make now a change to my own Easy Chair.
When the candles burn low, and the company's gone,
In the silence of night I shall sit here alone,
Or with you, Mr. Punch, many-memoried pair,
And muse on old days in that high Speaker's Chair!
Eh? What, Mr. Punch? Read me last night's debate?
Oho! Order! Order!! I'm drowsy, 'tis late.
For Ayes and for Noes, Punch, no more need I care;
I may take forty winks in my own Easy Chair!
I may take forty winks in my own Easy Chair!
* Mr. Arthur Wellesley Peel was elected Speaker at the opening of the Session of 1884, upon the retirement of Sir Henry Brand.
Ancient Custom.—"A quaint practice exists" at the Episcopal Palace, Fulham, "of waking up the domestics by means of a long pole." "Stirring them up," apparently, as the keepers do the beasts at the Zoo. The Sun reminds us of the existence of "rousing staves" for waking sleepers in church. About Regatta time riparian dwellers are frequently disturbed in their slumbers by "rousing staves," which, however, are sung by jolly young watermen, canoeists and house-boaters.
RETIREMENT; OR, THE EASY CHAIR.