“That’s all very well,” said LAURIE, who had now entered the House.  “But it seems to me that when H.R.H. reads this curious speech, he’ll be more inclined to fall in with our movement.  In my mind’s eye, I can already see him on the tub in Hyde Park, haranguing the mob of Colonels from under an umbrella.”

Business done.—­Army Estimates in Committee.

Tuesday.—­Decidedly a Labour night, with Capital incidentally mentioned.  First, OLD MORALITY announces appointment of Royal Commission to inquire into relations between Capital and Labour.  His placid mind evidently disturbed by undesirable coincidence.  On Saturday night, GRANDOLPH, suddenly remembering he had constituents at West Paddington, took a penny Road Car, and paid them visit.  Delivered luminous speech on things in general.  Recommended appointment of Royal Commission on relations between Labour and Capital.  To uninstructed mind looks uncommonly like as if Ministers, reading this speech on Monday morning, had said to each other, “Halloa! here’s RANDOLPH in the field again.  Says we must have Labour Commission; suppose we must.”

Nothing of the kind happened.  Cabinet Council met at noon on Saturday and decided upon Royal Commission.  GRANDOLPH didn’t speak for some hours later.  Odd that he should have hit on this Commission business; just like his general awkwardness of interference.  Must prevent all possibility of mistake; so OLD MORALITY, in announcing Commission, innocently, but pointedly, stops by the way to mention that Ministers had decided upon it “last Saturday.”

Wish GRANDOLPH had been here; would like to have seen the twinkle in his eye when he heard this little point made.  But GRANDOLPH busy down by the Docks, picking up his outfit.  Secret of the sudden and surprising growth of the beard out now.  GRANDOLPH off to the gold-diggings, and beard usually worn there.  Hardly knew him when I looked in the other day at Connaught Place; trying on his new things; pair of rough unpolished boots coming over his knees; belt round his waist holding up his trousers and conveniently suspending jackknife, tin pannikin, and water-bottle.  “For use on the voyage,” he explains.  Then a flannel shirt open at the neck; a wide-awake cocked on one side of his head; and a pickaxe on his shoulder.

“I’m tired of civilisation, TOBY, and I am off to the diggins.  Leave you and OLD MORALITY, and the MARKISS and JACOBY to look after politics.  As for me, I’m going to look for gold.  I’m not rushing blindfold into the matter.  I’ve studied it with the highest and the deepest authorities—­and what do I learn?  Native gold is found crystallised in the forms of the octahedron, the cube, and the dodecahedron, of which the cube is considered as the primary form.  It also occurs in filiform, capillary, and arborescent shapes, as likewise in leaves or membranes, and rolled masses.  It offers no indications of internal structure, but, on being separated by mechanical