Explanation of singular abstention is, that business under discussion is Vote on account of Relief of Distress in Ireland. Prince ARTHUR asks for £55,000 for that purpose; wouldn't do for Irish Members to obey their first instinct, and oppose Vote moved by Chief Secretary. If they were there, they might be expected to say, "Thank you;" so they stay away, one or two just looking in to contradict T.W. RUSSELL—"Roaring" RUSSELL, SARK calls him—when he gave an account of what he saw during a recent visit to Ireland.
Business done.—Relief voted for Irish Distress.
Friday Night.—Lo! a strange thing happened. Fell asleep just now, amid deadly dulness, depth of which no one outside House can comprehend. Woke up, hearing familiar voice. 'Twas the voice of Prince ARTHUR, I heard him complain; something about Ground-rents in London. Not, quite his subject; voice, too, didn't seem to come from Treasury Bench. But no mistaking it; same tone; same inflection. Now I come to think of it, more like way he used to talk before he came to govern Ireland. Opened eyes; looked down; behold! it was brother GERALD, opposing STUART's Motion on Land Tax. Very odd; think I'll go to sleep again.
Business done.—Slept.
THE SONG OF THE BACILLUS.
[Not a week passes without our hearing of a fresh agent to destroy the Bacillus.]
Once I flourished unmolested, now my troubles never cease:
Man, investigating monster, will not let me rest in peace.
I am ta'en from friends and kindred, from my newly-wedded bride,