Crowded House sat for a moment in gloomy disappointment, irresponsive to the cheerful presence of Old MORALITY, who succeeded in looking as if he had said something which, though of no serious importance, was calculated to be generally acceptable.  Actual position was something akin to what used to happen in St. James’s Hall when Manager came forward to announce that, owing to sudden cold, Mr. SIMS REEVES would not be able to sing.  Members glared round as if they were going to ask for their money back; increasingly aggravating to have OLD MORALITY still nodding and smiling on Treasury Bench.  If he thought they were going to be put off in that way, should learn he was mistaken; so Debate raged over three hours, at end of which, OLD MORALITY, swearing he would ne’er consent to adjournment of Debate, consented.

Just now, AKERS-DOUGLAS moved Writ for New Election in the City, and for the moment Members turned from Newfoundland to think kindly of genial, hearty, honest “YAH!  YAH!” gone over to the majority.

Business done.—­Newfoundland Fisheries Bill shelved.

Friday.—­JOKIM had another tumble.  Came down with light heart at Morning Sitting, proposing to run Budget Bill through Committee.  HENRY FOWLER, certainly not an obstructive party, objected, on constitutional ground, that CHANCELLOR OF EXCHEQUER was asking House to propose taxation for purposes not yet defined, “Give us your Education Bill first,” said FOWLER, “and then we’ll vote the Budget that provides ways and means.  No Education Bill, no Budget.”

Argument irresistible.  JOKIM meekly withdrew, and House took up other business.

This continuous blundering not cheerful for Ministers; wonderful how AKERS-DOUGLAS bears up; more than usually beaming to-night.  Don’t understand till Gazette comes out, when, looking down Birthday List, find they’ve made him a Privy Councillor.

“My Right Hon. friend, if I may call him so,” says the MEMBER for SARK, “richly deserves the honour.  I’ve known a good many Whips in my time, but I never came across one who did equally effective work with less friction, than does the Right Hon. ARETAS AKERS-DOUGLAS.”

A.A.  DOUGLAS is of course a mistake; his real initials are A1 DOUGLAS.

Business done.—­In Committee of Supply.

* * * * *

OUR BOOKING-OFFICE.

MY DEAR BARON,—­Let me recommend to your favourable notice, and to that of your readers, “Stories told at Twilight,” by Mrs. CHANDLER MOULTON, the American poetess, who has demonstrated how deftly she can touch the lyre, and shows what a clever storyteller she can be.  These are not ghost-stories as one might imagine, but tales for children, told with so much grace and feeling that they will also secure a large audience among children of a larger growth.

Also look at Old Time Punishments, by Mr. WILLIAM ANDREWS, who gives an exhaustive account of ancient punishments, copiously illustrated, and so graphically described, that he makes us congratulate ourselves in not having flourished in the olden times, or we might have become practical illustrations of the discipline of our forefathers.  How are you getting along with GEORGE MEREDITH’s One of Our Conquerors?