So it would have been, if that eminent strategist had foregone his speech.  If he had laid Resolution on the table, and said, “There you are,” Government would have accepted it, and he would have had a night of triumph.  But he would speak.  Spoke for an hour, and utterly ruined chances of the Resolution he recommended.

[Illustration:  Herbert Maxwell Performed his task well. Anon.]

HERBERT MAXWELL, put up from Treasury Bench to reply for Government, did his work admirably.  After fearful fiasco with CHAPLIN last Friday, OLD MORALITY checked disposition to give young Ministers opportunity of distinguishing themselves.  If MAXWELL made a mull of this, following on Friday week’s catastrophe with CHAPLIN, it would be serious.  MAXWELL won more than negative credit of not making mistake.  He delivered excellent speech, showing complete mastery of subject.

Business done.—­House Counted Out again.

Thursday.—­An Irish night at last, Quite a long time since we talked of the distressful country.  Wouldn’t guess that Ireland was to the fore by looking at the Irish quarter.  Usual when Prince ARTHUR is on his feet expounding and defending his policy for Irish camp to be bristling with contradiction and contumely.  To-night only five there, including BRER RABBIT.  BRER FOX promised to come, but hasn’t turned up.  Understood to be engaged in composition of new Manifesto.  Towards midnight Prince ARTHUR, wearied of the quietude, observed that he didn’t believe there was a single Irish Member present.  Whereupon NOLAN, waking from sleep, under shadow of Gallery, indignantly shouted out, “What?” TANNER, just come in, roared, “Oh!” “Ah!” said Prince ARTHUR, and the conversation terminated.

[Illustration:  Mr. Swift McNeill “prating.”]

Explanation of singular abstention is, that business under discussion is Vote on account of Relief of Distress in Ireland.  Prince ARTHUR asks for L55,000 for that purpose; wouldn’t do for Irish Members to obey their first instinct, and oppose Vote moved by Chief Secretary.  If they were there, they might be expected to say, “Thank you;” so they stay away, one or two just looking in to contradict T.W.  RUSSELL—­“Roaring” RUSSELL, SARK calls him—­when he gave an account of what he saw during a recent visit to Ireland.

Business done.—­Relief voted for Irish Distress.

Friday Night.—­Lo! a strange thing happened.  Fell asleep just now, amid deadly dulness, depth of which no one outside House can comprehend.  Woke up, hearing familiar voice.  ’Twas the voice of Prince ARTHUR, I heard him complain; something about Ground-rents in London.  Not, quite his subject; voice, too, didn’t seem to come from Treasury Bench.  But no mistaking it; same tone; same inflection.  Now I come to think of it, more like way he used to talk before he came to govern Ireland.  Opened eyes; looked down; behold! it was brother GERALD, opposing STUART’s Motion on Land Tax.  Very odd; think I’ll go to sleep again.