to Westminster. The country is there all through the year and every day: Parliamentary Session lasts only seven, or at best eight months. This year, if we've luck, we may run it into ten. But then House doesn't meet every day. One is expected to go off to seaside, or somewhere else, from Saturday to Monday. Thinking of these things, couldn't resist temptation. So suddenly packed up, drove off, and here I am. Needn't stop all night, you know, if you fellows grudge me a little enjoyment; but shall at least begin evening pleasantly. Shall vote in division on Betterment question, and make statement on arrangements for Indian Currency."
Business done.—Some votes in Navy Estimates.
Tuesday.—Campbell-Bannerman and W. Woodall, V.C., the Casabiancas of the evening. They sit on Treasury Bench, whence all but they have fled; listen with polite attention to talk round Army Estimates; and when there's anything like a lull get up and say few words. Whole proceeding a farce of drearily colossal proportions. Major-General Hanbury prances to front, reviews British forces under present Administration, finds many buttons loose, and numerous gaiters askew. Opportunity useful for showing that this Eminent Legislator has not given up entirely to Home Rule what was meant for mankind. Omniscience Hanbury's forte; Army Reform his foible. Honourable distinction for him that he has never drawn the sword on any tented field. Debates on Army Estimates invariably call to the front an amazing reserve force of unsuspected men of war. There are Colonels, Majors, and Captains enough to officer the army at Monaco.
There's Webster of East St. Pancras for example. The few Members present gasped for breath when, just now, he offered few observations on War Office management. What did he do in this galley? Well known that in interval of revising his popular Dictionary he trifles with the law. Might, in course of time, come to be Lord Chancellor; but never Field Marshal. That only shows how limited is current information, how true the observation that the world knows nothing of its greatest men. Why, for sixteen years Webster served with distinction in the Third Battalion South Lancashire Regiment! Under his civilian waistcoat to this day he coyly hides the bronze medal for Blameless Conduct.
That he should take part in debate on Army Estimates not only natural, but, in national interests, imperatively desirable. Hanbury's case quite otherwise. He never set a squadron a field, nor the division of a battle knows more than Alpheus Cleophas. Yet Alpheus Cleophas is not more glib, authoritative, or, on the whole, more entertaining when Army Estimates are to the fore.
Business done.—Army Estimates in Committee.
Friday, 4 A.M.—Came upon Nussey an hour ago putting himself to bed on a chair in the Library. This his first experience of Parliamentary life; introduced at four o'clock yesterday afternoon, and took his seat for Pontefract. "Lawka mussey! and is this Nussey?" cried Wilfred Lawson, whose aptitude for dropping into poetry beats Silas Wegg hollow. It certainly was Nussey yesterday afternoon, and this is what is left of him in the sunshine of a summer morning.
"Didn't think," he said, with a feeble smile, "that on occasion of my proud entrance upon Parliamentary life I should forthwith be made into an all-night Nussey. All very well to grow gradually into that state of life. Begin, say, with suspending twelve-o'clock rule, and getting off at one or two in the morning. But to plunge straight in like this is, if I may say so, a little hard on newcomer fresh from country. I suppose, from look of it, that it is only beginning of things. An all-night Nussey to-day; a weekly Nussey before parched July has wet its lips; and so on, till I become a monthly Nussey. Very kind of you to come and see me, but if you don't mind, I'll just drop off to sleep. Put the Amendments to the Home Rule Bill on the chimbley, and I'll take a look at them when I feel dispoged."
A nice night we've all had; moreover than which, at a quarter to three, lemon squashes gave out, and as one of waiters in hoarse voice assured me, there wasn't "a hounce of hice" left on premises. Yesterday afternoon Mr. G. moved his time-table Closure scheme in speech cogency of which testifies to miraculous advantage of limitation of delivery within space of half-hour. Prince Arthur followed in best debating speech he has delivered since he became Leader. Most adroit in argument, excellent in manner, felicitous in phrasing. He, too, brief, and therefore necessarily to the point. After this flood-tide of talk opened, and flowed, shallow but persistent, for next four hours. Napoleon Boltonparty, getting on board the Raft of Tilsit-cum-North-St.-Pancras, drifted up and down on washy flood. Erect, arms folded, and imperial hat cocked defiantly at Mr. G. Liberals howled at him; shouts of "Moscow! Moscow!" mingled with cries of "Waterloo!" and "St. Helena!" N. B. shook his golden lilies in their teeth, and punted his Raft into the Tory harbour.
Joey C. turned up after early dinner, and the waters were speedily lashed into foam. Following the illustrious example of Napoleon Boltonparty, Joseph threw off all mask of deference to former leader. Hitherto, even in moments of hottest conflict, Joey C. has been sly, dev'lish sly, in his hearing towards his "right hon. friend." To-night he went for him, just as in days not so very far off good Conservatives like Grandolph, amid thunderous Tory cheers, used to gird at the hero of the Aston Park Riots. "I admire the artful——" Here he paused, and looked down with bitter smile on the apparently sleeping figure of Mr. G. on the Treasury Bench. Five hundred lips in the listening throng involuntarily formed the syllables in familiar conjunction with the adjective. No, not yet. At present pace of progression "dodger" may come. To-night Joseph content, having gained the desired effect, to conclude the sentence with the words "——minister who drew up this resolution."