Friday Night.—Still grinding away at the report stage of Land Bill; don't get any forrader; been at it a week, and to-night just as many Amendments on the paper as there were on Monday. All night upon a single new Clause. Everybody wearied to death. Even WINDBAG SEXTON a little moody; not had such a good night as usual; the debate lasting throughout sitting, and, there being only one Motion before the House, SEXTON (with the SPEAKER in the Chair) could speak only once; that he did, at considerable length. But a poor consolation for lost opportunity.
Congratulated the suffering SPEAKER on this accident; pointed out to him things were bad enough; but might be worse.
"I suppose, TOBY," he said, "you never read PRIOR? Haven't looked him up for many years; but, sitting here through this week, there is one couplet—from his Solomon, I think—ever running through my mind:—
'ABRA was ready ere I called her name;
And, though I call'd another, ABRA came.'
Just like SEXTON."
Business done.—One Clause added to Land Bill.
"GREY APES OF AGE."
"Grey hair is fashionable for the youthful,"