A Pull All Together.—What our forefathers would have called "seeking an explanation from one's representative," is now, in these days of political slang, known as "pulling your member's leg!" Witness what happened in West Fife:
"Mr. Wemyss said, that if they returned him they would have the advantage of being able to run down to Wemyss when he did anything wrong and pull his leg at the cost of a sixpence in train money, whereas, if they wanted to pull Mr. Birrell over the coals, it would cost them £3 to go to London."
The electors would certainly seem to "have the pull" by Mr. Wemyss's proximity; but why didn't some heckler retort by saying that in pulling a candidate's leg voters must be careful not to get hold of a calf?
Slow Training.—The Cork County National Teachers' Association has passed a resolution that "for the sixth class" the geography of the British Isles is enough, and "that the British Colonies be held over till the examination in the second year." But how will the British Colonies like being held over? And is not Ireland itself going to be a self-governing British Colony—some day? But that idea, too, seems "held over" for the present. The National Teachers, however, are true Nationalists, because they also resolved that "Professors of Irish should be appointed in all the Training Colleges." If females, they will be expected to wear the Celtic fringe, of course.
Ready and Willing (in the Cornell-Leander Fiasco).—One crew wasn't "ready," but the starter was "Willan"—like Barkis. The Cornell crew was ready and willin'. So they had the starter with them at all events; and, they started. Angry partisans described the proceeding as "Willanous." So it was,—from one point of view.
Election Paradoxes.—Standing for a seat, and running against a sitting Member.