Member who moves Adjournment over Derby Day expected to be funny. Pam, who, when he was Minister, always did it, established fashion. Been followed in later days by Dick Power, and other eminent sportsmen. Elcho displayed paternal failing for undue length, but just managed to stop in time, not spoiling success of speech that greatly pleased House. Curious to note points of personal resemblance between the new Lord Elcho and the old. Son, doubtless designedly, delivered his speech from corner-seat on front Bench below Gangway, whence, in days of yore, the father used to hold forth, almost literally buttonholing House of Commons; holding on to it in much same way as Ancient Mariner delayed the hungry wedding guest.
"Happy," says the Member for Sark, "is the Legislature that can spare an Elcho for either Chamber! Favoured the generation that succeeds to such an inheritance! With Wemyss in the Lords, and Elcho in the Commons, there is still hope for my country!"
Citizen Pickersgill.
Talk about Police Regulation for Procession on Saturday to demonstrate against Compensation Bill. Citizen Pickersgill moved adjournment of House in order to discuss matter. Cunninghame-Graham seized opportunity to run amuck at his revered Leaders on Front Opposition Bench. Accused them of sitting there like stuffed figures at Madame Tussaud's. "Why stuffed?" John Mobley asked, but Cunninghame-Graham not to be interrupted in flush of eloquence. When once started went at them hammer and tongs; only a few battered figures recognisable on Front Bench when he had finished.
"Fact is, Toby," he said, "Bradlaugh's got his eye on that Bench. Means to sit there some day. Want him to know that even that sanctuary shall not preserve him from my wrath. Just getting my hand in. He'll be sorry he ever ventured to bite his thumb at me." Business done.—Education Vote in Committee.
Thursday.—Lord Chunnel-Tannel moves Second Reading of his Bill. A very inoffensive measure, he says; not proposed to sanction creation of Tunnel under the sea. Oh, dear no! Nothing of that kind. All that is wanted is that the Company shall be permitted to keep their machinery oiled, bore for coal, and fill up spare time by fishing for whitebait with line. Could there be any harm in that? Chunnel-Tannel asked, with hand outstretched with deprecating gesture towards Treasury Bench, on which the long length of Hicks Beach was coiled.
Mr. G. backed up his noble friend; ridiculed idea of danger to England from creation of Tunnel. If anybody had need for apprehension, it was France—a fine, subtly patriotic idea, which did not meet with that measure of applause on Conservative Benches that might have been expected. Fact is, Conservatives don't like this newly established friendliness between Mr. G. and Chunnel-Tannel. Noble Lord not so certain to respond to crack of Ministerial Whip as was his wont before he yielded to the spell. Stout Ministerialists thinking more of Chunnel-Tannel's attitude on Irish Question than of probability of French invasion by proposed Tunnel; so they lustily cheer Hicks-Beach when he denounces scheme. Cry, "Oh! oh!" when Chunnel-Tannel makes crafty appeal for support of Irish Members, and go out in body to stop up the Tunnel.
J. S. Forbes watches scene from Strangers' Gallery. Lost in admiration of Chunnel-Tannel's meek mood.
