The LORD CHANCELLOR’S reply was vigorous but not altogether convincing.  His description of the Government as a body of harassed and anxious economists did not altogether tally with his subsequent picture of the CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER “always resisting proposals for expenditure made by his colleagues in the Cabinet.”  Despite his eloquence the Peers passed Lord MIDLETON’S motion by 95 votes to 23.

The Commons made good progress with the Finance Bill, though there was a good deal of justifiable criticism of its phraseology.  The SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY admitted that there was one clause of which he did not understand a word, but wisely refused to specify it.  Colonel WEDGWOOD advanced the remarkable proposition that “the workers in the long run pay all the taxes,” but did not jump at Captain ELLIOTT’S suggestion that in that case it would save trouble if the CHANCELLOR were to levy all the taxes on the working classes direct.  When asked to extend further relief to charities Mr. CHAMBERLAIN sought a definition of “charity.”  Would it apply, for example, to “the association of a small number of gentlemen in distress obeying the law of self-preservation in the face of world-forces which threaten to sweep them out of existence”?  I seem to hear Mr. Wilkins Micawber reply, “The answer is in the affirmative.”

Thursday, July 8th.—­In the absence of the LORD CHANCELLOR the Gas Regulation Bill was entrusted to the UNDER-SECRETARY FOR AIR.  The mingling of gas and air has before now been known to produce an explosion, but on this occasion Lord LONDONDERRY so deftly handled his material that not a single Peer objected to the Second Reading.

The proceedings in the Lower House were much more lively.  Mr. STANTON threatened that there would be a general strike of Members of Parliament unless their salaries were increased; but Mr. BONAR LAW seemed to be more amused than alarmed at the prospect.  The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER was asked point-blank whether he was satisfied with the reduction in the bureaucracy during the last six months, and replied that he was not, and had therefore appointed Committees to investigate the staffs in seven of the Departments.  The number is unfortunately suggestive.

  “If seven maids with seven mops
    Swept it for half a year,
  Do you suppose,” the Walrus said,
    “That they could get it clear?”

[Illustration:  MR. MONTAGU S’EXCUSE.]

And we know what the Carpenter replied.

If an unnecessary amount of heat was engendered by the debate on General DYER’S case the fault must be partly attributed to the INDIAN SECRETARY’S opening speech.  “Come, Montagu, for thou art early up” is a line from one of the most poignant scenes in SHAKSPEARE; but early rising, at Westminster as elsewhere, is not always conducive to good temper.