Lord Chancellor quite friendly with Speaker-Elect, whom he familiarly addressed as "Mr. Gully." Spoke highly of his talents, diligence, and sufficiency to fulfil important duties to which it had pleased majority of Commons to call him. Said he had made it all right with the Queen, and that William Court might go back to Commons, and get about his business. Speaker, not to be outdone in geniality, begged his anonymous friend, one of five muffled up in scarlet gowns, in the event of any mess being made with matters in the other House, to impute the blame to him alone, and let the other fellows go scot-free.
Amongst crowd of Commoners clustered behind Speaker there was scarcely a dry eye when this noble sentiment was uttered.
"Solong!" said the voice that was certainly the Lord Chancellor's. Taking this as hint to retire, Speaker withdrew from the Bar, and left the House "Without a stain on his character," as the Earl of Cork and Orrery handsomely said. Returned to Commons in procession, with Mace lightly but firmly carried by Sergeant-at-Arms. Instead of taking Chair, marched round by passage to the rear, disappeared from view. Consternation in Strangers' Gallery.
"He's bolted!" one gentleman whispered to his neighbour. "Funked it when the music stopped and he came to the hosses."
After few moments of growing uneasiness, a fine figure, in full-bottomed wig, silken gown, beneath which silver-buckled shoes shimmered, emerged from behind Speaker's Chair, and seated itself in it. "Order! Order!" said a full, pleasant voice; and William Court Gully entered upon what promises to be a prosperous and distinguished career.
Sark tells me that, on going into Committee of Supply, he intends to move that henceforward the gallery over the Clock facing the Chair shall be called "The Speaker's Gullery." Sark always thinks of the right thing at the right time.
Business done.—New Speaker installed.
Tuesday.—The Order by which Ministers took Tuesdays having lapsed, private Members to-night came into their own again. Always stoutly resist incursion of greedy Governments on their small possessions. Might reasonably be supposed that, having come into their inheritance, would have made most of it. Lots of things to do to-night. Several resolutions on paper, with Orders of Day to follow. What happened was that by a quarter to nine enthusiasm finally evaporated; count called; only thirty-seven Members responded; lights forthwith put out.
Opening debate on Charity Commission certainly a little heavy. Every Member who got his chance felt it incumbent on him to speak for at least half an hour. Some considerably exceeded this limit.