Thursday.—­Rather a painful scene just now between PRINCE ARTHUR and the SQUIRE of MALWOOD.  T.W.  RUSSELL proposed new Clause on Irish Land Bill, which provided for reinstatement of evicted tenants; received with general applause, and finally agreed to.  In the midst of general congratulations and shaking hands, the SQUIRE lounged in, and with many back-handed slaps at the Government, added his approval to the general chorus.  The Ministry were hopelessly bad, but this clause, though proposed by a supporter of theirs, was moderately good.

[Illustration:  Balfour, Q.C.]

“Singular thing,” said Prince ARTHUR, in meditative tone, as if he were talking to himself, “that the Right Hon. Gentleman can never interfere in debate, however far removed the subject may be from the arena of Party Politics, without forthwith dragging it into the arena.”

“That,” said BALFOUR, Q.C., who chanced to be on the Front Opposition Bench, “is a striking example of the misapprehension under which acute minds occasionally labour.  I have known my Right Hon. friend for many years; we have sat on this Bench together in Opposition, and have worked in the same Ministry, and I confess it is a little shocking to me to hear him accused of tendency to enter upon controversial topics.  I am myself a man of peace, and do not readily assume an attitude of reproof; but, as Mr. HENRY ARTHUR WILSON said when he stood over the improvised Baccarat-table with a piece of chalk in his hand, the line must be drawn somewhere, and I am inclined to rule it at the place where my friend HARCOURT is accused of wilfully and designedly disturbing the Parliamentary peace.” Business done.—­Still on the Land Bill.

Friday Night.—­Still grinding away at the report stage of Land Bill; don’t get any forrader; been at it a week, and to-night just as many Amendments on the paper as there were on Monday.  All night upon a single new Clause.  Everybody wearied to death.  Even WINDBAG SEXTON a little moody; not had such a good night as usual; the debate lasting throughout sitting, and, there being only one Motion before the House, SEXTON (with the SPEAKER in the Chair) could speak only once; that he did, at considerable length.  But a poor consolation for lost opportunity.

Congratulated the suffering SPEAKER on this accident; pointed out to him things were bad enough; but might be worse.

“I suppose, TOBY,” he said, “you never read PRIOR?  Haven’t looked him up for many years; but, sitting here through this week, there is one couplet—­from his Solomon, I think—­ever running through my mind:—­

  ’ABRA was ready ere I called her name;
  And, though I call’d another, ABRA came.’

Just like SEXTON.”

Business done.—­One Clause added to Land Bill.

* * * * *

“GREY APES OF AGE.”