of debate, and are quite rigidly enforced.  At the same time mere dulness is often overlooked, as soon as it appears that the speaker has something to say which deserves to be heard.  But there is one species of oratory which is never tolerated for a moment, and that is the sort of declamation which is designed merely or mainly for home-consumption,—­speaking for Buncombe, as we call it.  The instant, therefore, that it was evident that Mr. Coningham was addressing, not the House of Commons, but his constituents at Brighton, he was interrupted by derisive cheers and contemptuous groans.  Again and again did the indignant orator attempt to make his voice heard above the confusion, but in vain; and when, losing all presence of mind, he made the fatal admission,—­“I can tell Honorable Gentlemen that I have just returned from visiting my constituents, and I can assure the House that more intelligent”—­the tumult became so great, that the remainder of the sentence was entirely lost.  Seeing his mistake, Mr. Coningham changed his ground.  “I appeal to the courtesy of Honorable Members; I do not often trespass upon the House; I implore them to give me a patient and candid hearing.”  This appeal to the love of “fair play,” so characteristic of Englishmen, produced immediately the desired effect, and the member concluded without further interruption.

Mr. Edwin James was the next prominent speaker.  He has won a wide reputation as a barrister, chiefly in the management of desperate criminal cases, culminating in his defence of Dr. Barnard, charged with being accessory to the attempted assassination of Louis Napoleon.  The idol of the populace, he was elected by a large majority in May, 1859, as an extreme Liberal or Radical, to represent Marylebone in the present Parliament.  His warmest admirers will hardly contend that since his election he has done anything to distinguish himself, or even to sustain the reputation which his success as an advocate had earned for him.  The expensive vices to which he has long been addicted have left him bankrupt in character and fortune.  His large professional income has been for some years received by trustees, who have made him a liberal allowance for his personal expenses, and have applied the remainder toward the payment of his debts.  His recent disgraceful flight from England, and the prompt action of his legal brethren in view of his conduct, render it highly improbable that he will ever return to the scene of his former triumphs and excesses.  Besides its brevity, which was commendable, his speech this evening presented no point worthy of comment.