“But I suppose you don’t mean,” I venture to ask, “that JACKSON is the exclusive type of a successful Leader?”

“No,” says the SQUIRE, with a far-away look.

Business done.—­Two Votes in Supply.

Tuesday.—­Spent doleful afternoon in Committee of Supply.  Circumstances call upon Members below Gangway, Radicals or Irishmen, to come to front, and make at least show of doing something.  SAGE OF QUEEN ANNE’S GATE pricks up his ears when Chairman puts question to allow L6 7s. 11d. on account of Sheerness Police Court.  Why should Northampton contribute its quota, however small, to expenses of Sheerness Police Court?  Debate and Division; after which, the SAGE retired to smoke cigarette through rest of afternoon, and discuss probable date of Dissolution.

[Illustration:  The Storm in the Reform Club Tea-Cup.]

Then Irish Members come on.  Cream seems spooned off the mass in preparation for festivities on St. Patrick’s Day, and only the skimmest of skim milk left.  WEBB wobbles to the front; talks out vote for Chicago Royal Committee, although ATTORNEY-GENERAL tells him it will be all right as to Irish interests; being now close upon ten minutes to seven, when Committee must adjourn, WEBSTER hasn’t time to make detailed explanations, but promises to do so on Report.  WEBB maunders on all the same, and Vote postponed.

Great day for FLYNN.  TIM HEALY thinks he’s pretty smart as a debater; SEXTON believes he knows a thing or two; O’BRIEN is understood to be something of an orator.  FLYNN will show House how all these qualities may be combined in one man.  Does it by the tiresome twenty minutes, the lamentable half-hour; popping up on every question with comically judicial air; talking on with fatal feeble flatulent fluency, whilst GILL sits nursing his hat awaiting his turn.

Alack for Irish humour, eloquence and deviltry, that it should come to this!

Whilst FLYNN once again turns on the tap of his tepid dish-water, news comes that Lord HAMPDEN died this morning in far-off Pau.  HAMPDEN was the BRAND who sat in Chair during Parliament of 1874, and wrestled nightly with the “bhoys” when they were in their prime—­MAJOR O’GORMAN rollicking through the night; JOSEPH GILLIS with lean hand outstretched and his “It seems to me, MR. SPEAKER”; PARNELL in the white heat of passion; DELAHUNTY with his One Pound Notes, and poor MCCARTHY DOWNING with his scared look and his indescribable but unmistakable air of one accustomed to frequent the best society in Skibbereen.

After a fourth speech from FLYNN, with another to follow from WEBB, one almost envies the EX-SPEAKER lying at rest at the foot of the Pyrenees.

Business done.—­A few Votes in Supply.

Thursday.—­St. Patrick’s Day in the evening.  Irish Members rose to occasion; indeed, at one time O’KELLY and JOHN O’CONNOR rose together; remained on their legs in defiance of Standing Orders and angry protest of Chairman.  Seemed as if someone must be suspended pour encourager les autres.  Storm suddenly stilled; rising passion subdued by appearance of ALPHEUS CLEOPHAS on the scene, wanting to know about the Refreshment-bar in the Lobby. which, he said, was lowering to the dignity and respectability of House.