House engaged all night on Tithes Bill.  Not particularly lively.  Towards midnight TANNER, preternaturally quiet since House met, suddenly woke up, and, a propos de bottes, moved to report progress.  COURTNEY down on him like cartload of bricks; declined to put Motion, declaring it abuse of forms of House.  This rather depressing.  In good old times there would have been an outburst of indignation in Irish camp; Chairman’s ruling challenged, and squabble agreeably occupied rest of evening.  But times changed.  No Irish present to back TANNER, who, with despairing look round, subsided, and business went forward without further check.

Business done.—­Tithes Bill in Committee.

[Illustration:  Exit!]

Tuesday.—­Mr. DICK DE LISLE came down to House to-night full of high resolve.  Hadn’t yet been a Member of House when it shook from time to time with the roar of controversy round BRADLAUGH, his oath, his affirmation, and his stylographic pen.  At that time was in Singapore, helping Sir FREDERICK WELD to govern the Straits Settlement.  But had watched controversy closely, and had contributed to its settlement by writing a luminous treatise, entitled, The Parliamentary Oath.  Now, by chance, the question cropped up again.  BRADLAUGH had secured first place on to-night’s order for his Motion rescinding famous Resolution of June, 1880, declaring him ineligible to take his seat.  BRADLAUGH ill in bed; sick unto death, as it seemed; but HUNTER had taken up task for him, and would move Resolution.  Of course the Government would oppose it; if necessary, DE LISLE would assist them with argument.  In any case, they should have his vote.  Heard SOLICITOR-GENERAL with keen satisfaction.  He showed not only the undesirability and impossibility of acceding to proposition, but denounced it as “absolutely childish.”  Mr. G. followed; but Mr. G. said the same kind of things eleven years ago, when he was Leader of triumphant party, and had been defeated again and again.  Of course same fate awaited him now.  Government had spoken through mouth of SOLICITOR-GENERAL, and there was an end on’t.

Not quite.  STAFFORD NORTHCOTE, unaccustomed participant in debate, presented himself.  Stood immediately behind OLD MORALITY, by way of testifying to his unaltered loyalty.  At same time he suggested that, after all, would be as well to humour BRADLAUGH and his friends, and strike out Resolution.  Then OLD MORALITY rose from side of SOLICITOR-GENERAL, and, unmindful of that eminent Lawyer’s irresistible argument and uncompromising declaration, said, “on the whole,” perhaps NORTHCOTE was right, and so mote it be.