“Like Bottom, translated,” BRAMWELL growls.

Dr. MAGEE, walking out Bishop of Peterborough, comes back Archbishop of York.  The ceremony of their installation not nearly so comic as that of ordinary Peers of Parliament.  Garter King-at-Arms does not appear; nor Black Rod; nor is there any game of Follow-my-leader round the Benches.

“No, no,” said the MARKISS, who Mr. G. quite unjustly says has no strain of reverence in his disposition, “that would never do.  Must be careful with our Bishops.”

[Illustration:  The Inflammable Liquor Bill.]

So the three new-comers, having paid their respects to the LORD-CHANCELLOR, straightway took their seats on the Episcopal Bench, folded their hands over their surpliced knees, and lent an added air of peace and purity to the precincts.

DENMAN bustling about, weighed down with cares of State.  Had promised to bring into Lords ATKINSON’s Muffin-Bell Bill, limiting duration of Speeches.  But Bill stuck in the Commons, whilst ATKINSON turned his attention to his Dowagers Bill.

“ATKINSON’s a good fellow,” said DENMAN.  “Have sometimes thought an alliance between him and me, a sort of coalition between two estates of the realm, might work great things.  But I’m beginning to lose confidence in him.  At certain periods of the lunar month he’s too comprehensive in his legislative ambition.  Why wasn’t he content with his Muffin-Bell Bill?  Why drag in the Dowager?  These Dowagers, dear TOBY, have, if I may say so—­using the phrase strictly in Parliamentary sense—­got their arms round the neck of my friend ATKINSON, and will pull him down.  It’s a pity, for I think, between us, we could have put things straight generally.”

Business done.—­Navy Estimates in Commons.

Friday.—­PHILIPPE EGALITE very rarely troubles House with ordered speech.  A good deal on his mind looking after JACOBY, and keeping the Party straight.  But his silence doesn’t arise from incapacity to speak.  This shown to-night in his speech on Railway Rates and Charges.  Full of good matter, admirably delivered.  After this, Dr. CLARK proposed to discuss Home Rule; but House didn’t seem to care about it particularly.  So at Half-past Eight was Counted Out.  This was the chief Business done.

* * * * *

THE FINE YOUNG GERMAN EMPEROR.

(A NEW SONG TO AN OLD TUNE.)

  I’ll sing to you a brand new song, made by a modern pate,
  Of a fine young German Emperor, an Oracle of State,
  Who kept up his autocracy at the bountiful old rate,
  With the aid of Socialism for the poor men at his gate;
        This fine young German Emperor, all of the modern time.

  His ancestors had “kept their fingers on the pulse of time”
  (He said), and he’d do ditto in a fashion more sublime;
  For, as BACON said of Nature, he who’d rule her must obey. 
  And that with modern “tendency,” is the new imperial way,
        Of this fine young German Emperor, &c.