Silence was broken by a burst of hearty cheering, in which the keen ear detected a slightly discordant note. Whilst Members were frankly disposed to applaud the boldness of what I believe purveyors of new models of female dress call the "confection," whilst they were lost in admiration of its effect, there was a feeling of disappointment that they had not thought of it themselves, and been the first to enter the field.
Thanks to the genius of Frank Lockwood a former House was able to realise the figure presented by the present. Earl Spencer, whilst still with us in the Commons, skipping along in the purity of a Monday morning smock, carrying in his right hand a garlanded pitchfork. What the present House, jaded with a succession of Budgets and the persistence of the Ulster question, would like to see is the entrance of those twin brethren, Lord Castlereagh and Earl Winterton, walking arm-in-arm, arrayed in garb approaching as nearly as possible that which, thanks to Mr. Hodge, this afternoon illuminated the Legislative Chamber.
"EXTRY SPESHUL!"
Business done.—Chancellor of Exchequer announced third edition of Budget. "Before the end of the week," said Sark, "I expect we shall meet him running up and down the Terrace with hand to widely-opened mouth shouting "Extry Speshul!"
Tuesday.—Amery began to think he had escaped consequences of his little mistake. Nearly a week has sped since he called attention to indiscretion of Captain Bellingham, aide-de-camp to the Lord-Lieutenant, who, reviewing small body of Nationalist volunteers, enjoined them to stand fast by cause of Home Rule. From answer of Chief Secretary it appeared that Member for South Birmingham had been forestalled by Lord Aberdeen, who had called upon the Captain for explanation and received suitable apology for the error.
Irish Members quick to see opening innocently made for them. Having long regarded with resentment Lord Londonderry's active patronage of movements of Ulster volunteers, have sedulously sought opportunity of bringing it under notice of House. Amery obligingly provided it. Unexpected delay in seizing it was due to search for particulars now presented in form of question addressed to Premier, citing with dates and places six separate occasions when the aide-de-camp to the King had, by his presence and counsel, sanctioned reviews of Ulster volunteers, "whose avowed object," as the question put it, "is, in event of enactment of Home Rule Bill, to resist by armed force the authority of the Crown and Parliament, and to make the administration of the law impossible." What Mr. Devlin, with studied politeness, was anxious to know was "whether there is any special reason why in this matter the Marquis of Londonderry should be treated differently from Captain Bellingham?"
Premier not to be drawn into the controversy. Duties of aide-de-camp to the King, unlike those of aide-de-camp to Lord-Lieutenant, are, he said, of entirely honorary character. In such circumstances he did not think it worth while to take notice of the matter.
Lord Morley. "Thanks, I won't trouble you; I still have a crust left."