Old boy's limp is, I fancy, getting better. He has suffered it for some years now. Seems that one day towards the close of last century Burke flung dagger on floor of House by way of peroration. Weapon rebounded, and struck The Mahon on the instep. If you step into the lavatory with him, he'll show you the scar.
"A mere thrifle, a mere thrifle, acushla! They were lively bhoys when I was in me proime."
Gladstone in fine form and excellent voice. Honoured occasion by donning one of his biggest collars and a new necktie. Curious proof of his persuasiveness how he gradually talked his necktie round till knot rested under left ear. Balfour squealed forth his disapprobation for upwards of an hour. Rather a pitiful spectacle, the more so by reason of the contrast.
"He should try to avoid immediately following Gladstone," said Randolph, looking down contemptuously at his former friend.
Best speeches after first, longo intervallo, were Bradlaugh's and Robertson's, the Scotch Solicitor-General. Conservatives quite forgotten their old animosity to Member for Northampton. As for Parnellites, cheer him madly as they do Parnell. Certainly Bradlaugh has acquired House of Commons' manner. Speeches in good style and full of point.
Quite a treat to hear such speech as Robertson's from Treasury Bench. Mem. for Markiss. Why not double his salary, and let him speak from Matthews's brief, and, above all, from Balfour's?
Business done.—Debate on Proclamation of National League.
Friday.—Amphibious old Warrior, who has been Admiral afloat, Generalissimo ashore, and is now Member for County Carlow, reappeared to-night, and took oath. It was a moving scene. Old veteran got up in rather young-looking costume, light tweed, with white waistcoat, in cut what young beau of twenty might wear.
"Why, Colonel," said Cyril Flower, a judge of these things, "you look younger than ever in your new suit!"
