Curious how influence of the hour permeates and dominates everything, even to the distant Lake Ny’yassa.  Question asked when House met as to how things were going on there under Commissioner JOHNSTON.  No one at all surprised when, in reply, LOWTHER referred to the “two powerful Chiefs, JUMBE and MCPONDA.”  Should like to hear the views of the last gentleman on the Scotch Equivalent Grant, its application to secondary education in Scotland, and the probable ultimate destination of the L25,000 allotted to parochial boards.

Business done.—­More of the Scotch Equivalent Grant.

[Illustration:  Effect of a great big D in the House.]

Wednesday.—­May Day passed off quietly enough; but you can’t have air charged with electricity, and your back-cellars filled with dynamite, without danger of explosion.  Burst to-day in unlooked-for place, in unexpected circumstances.  HALDANE brought in Bill providing that ratepayers should share with Duke of WESTMINSTER and other great landowners benefit of unearned increment.  Prospect alluring, but debate not exhilarating.  House nearly empty; ASQUITH delivering able but not exciting speech in favour of Bill.  Just sort of time and circumstances when, in another place, Judge might be expected to fall asleep on Bench.  Citizen ROBERT GALNIGAD BONTINE CUNINGHAME GRAHAM, sitting on Bench behind ASQUITH, listening like the rest of us to his well-ordered argument.  The Citizen a little tired with Sunday’s peregrination.  Been walking about all day with stout stick in hand, and blood-red handkerchief in pocket, ready for any emergency.  At favourable moment blood-red handkerchief would flash forth, tied on to stick with timely twine, and there’s your flag!  Republic proclaimed; Citizen GRAHAM first President, under title GALNIGAD I., and before Secretary-of-State MATTHEWS quite knew where he was, he would be viewing the scene from an elevated position pendant in Trafalgar Square.

Chance had not come; GRAHAM still plain Citizen, in House of Commons listening to commonplace proposals about unearned increment.  This evidently wouldn’t do.  Suddenly jumped up; shook fist at back of ASQUITH’s unoffending head, and, a propos de bottes, “wanted to know about the swindling companies and their shareholders?”

ASQUITH really hadn’t been saying anything about them; turning round beheld Citizen GRAHAM glaring upon him, throwing about his arms as if he were semaphore signalling to the rearguard of Republican Army.

“Order!  Order!” cried SPEAKER, sternly.

“Oh, you can suspend me if you like,” said Citizen GRAHAM, airily, as if it were no hanging matter.  Members angrily joined in cry of “Order!  Order!” SPEAKER promptly “named” the Citizen—­not with his full list of names, for time was pressing.

“Name away!” roared the Citizen, whom nothing could disconcert.  HOME SECRETARY having no fear of the lamppost before his eyes, formally moved that the Citizen be suspended.  GRAHAM snapped his fingers at HOME SECRETARY.  “Suspend away!” he shouted.