There was, as I have said, some hesitation on part of House as to how they were to be received.  On the whole, went off well.  The reference to “the Government, at whose last hours we have now arrived,” and the proposal to write their epitaph, brought down the House.  GRAND CROSS sitting in Gallery nervously watching result, decidedly encouraged.  In larger leisure of Opposition we shall probably have more of these vicarious flashes of latent humour.

[Illustration:  OFF TO THE COUNTRY AGAIN.]

Business done.—­Address moved, met with Vote of No Confidence, submitted by ASQUITH in brilliant speech.

Tuesday.—­Imminence of change in Ministry brings into prominence and close proximity what is likely to happen in Ireland when Home Rule is established.  Irish Members of all sections on the alert.  SAUNDERSON in his war-paint, which assumes shape of luminous white waistcoat.  Always know, when the Colonel puts that on, he means business.  Made to-night good Derrydown speech punctuated by howls of execration from Irish brethren opposite.  That is just what Colonel enjoys; moved him to higher nights of oratory.  His lurid picture of ASQUITH, Q.C., “sitting on the lips of Irish volcano,” extremely effective.  Irish Members cruelly and effectually retorted by putting up REDMOND JUNIOR to reply.  Colonel gallantly smiled, but it was a gashly effort.  Device evidently effective.  REDMOND did admirably; nothing could have been better than his grave remark, to presumably alarmed House, that, having for seven years sat opposite Colonel, he was able to assure them that he was “perfectly harmless—­perfectly harmless.”

[Illustration:  Honest John Burns.]

“Now that,” said ASHBOURNE, in London just now winding up his ministerial affairs, “is the cruellest thing I ever heard said of SAUNDERSON.”

Later, more serious evidence of seething condition of feeling in Ulster brought under notice of House.  Ross, Q.C., was returned at General Election, in place of CHARLES LEWIS—­a character useful as a study for young Members, showing how a man of considerable ability, and distinct Parliamentary aptitude, may prove a hopeless failure.  Ross born and brought up in Derry; accustomed to controversial practices.  Familiar from boyhood with the concrete form dialectics are apt to take when indulged in beyond space of half an hour.  “If they mean business,” Ross said confidentially to Honest JOHN BURNS, “they’ll find the Derry Boy in it.”

So, before coming down to House, he carefully filled his trouser-pocket with convenient-sized paving-stones.  When he got up just now, House stared with amazement at curious appearance presented by the Orator.  Ross, pleased with attention created, threw back his coat, placed hands on hips, stiffened his legs, and made the most of the paving-stones.  Members opposite whispered, and tittered.

“Let them laugh that win,” said Ross.  “In case of a row, a paving-stone in trouser-pocket is worth a Krupp’s Battery in the bush.”