If I were to indulge in quotations from well-known parodies of prose, this chapter would soon overflow all proper limits.  I forbear, therefore, to do more than remind my readers of Thackeray’s Novels by Eminent Hands and Bret Harte’s Sensation Novels, only remarking, with reference to the latter book, that “Miss Mix” is in places really indistinguishable from Jane Eyre.  The sermon by Mr. Jowett in Mr. Mallock’s New Republic is so perfect an imitation, both in substance and in style, that it suggested to some readers the idea that it had been reproduced from notes of an actual discourse.  On spoken as distinguished from written eloquence there are some capital skits in the Anti-Jacobin, where (under the name of Macfungus) excellent fun is made of the too mellifluous eloquence of Sir James Mackintosh.

The differentiating absurdities of after-dinner oratory are photographed in Thackeray’s Dinner in the City, where the speech of the American Minister seems to have formed a model for a long series of similar performances.  Dickens’s experience as a reporter in the gallery of the House of Commons had given him a perfect command of that peculiar style of speaking which is called Parliamentary, and he used it with great effect in his accounts of the inaugural meeting of the “United Metropolitan Improved Hot Muffin and Crumpet Baking and Punctual Delivery Company” in Nicholas Nickleby (where he introduces a capital sketch of Tom Duncombe, Radical Member for Finsbury); and in the interview between Mr. Gregsbury, M.P., and his constituents in a later chapter of the same immortal book.

The parliamentary eloquence of a later day was admirably reproduced in Mr. Edward Jenkins’s prophetic squib (published in 1872) Barney Geoghegan, M.P., and Home Rule at St. Stephen’s.  As this clever little book has, I fear, lapsed into complete oblivion, I venture to cite a passage.  It will vividly recall to the memory of middle-aged politicians the style and tone of the verbal duels which, towards the end of Mr. Gladstone’s first Administration, took place so frequently between the Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition.  Mr. Geoghegan has been returned, a very early Home Ruler, for the Borough of Rashkillen, and for some violent breaches of order is committed to the custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms.  On this the leader of the House rises and addresses the Speaker:—­

“Sir,—­The House cannot but sympathize with you in the eloquent and indignant denunciation you have uttered against the painful invasion of the decorum of the House which we have just witnessed.  There can be no doubt in any mind, even in the minds of those with whom the hon. member now at the bar usually acts, that of all methods of argument which could be employed in this House, he has selected the least politic.  Sir, may I be permitted, with great deference, to say a word upon a remark that fell from the Chair, and which might be misunderstood?