“Yes,” said Prince ARTHUR, “but I hope he’s not going to say anything about Irish business.  When he’s in this mood, I prefer he should address himself to my dear friend JOKIM.”

[Illustration:  Right Hon. A. Balfour.  “My dearest Tim, ’for this relief much thanks!’”]

TIM had anticipated Prince ARTHUR’S wishes.  It was about Compensation Bill that he desired to consult SPEAKER.  JOKIM, as last turn in devious course, had proposed to dodge difficulty about Compensation by accumulating proceeds of increased till some indefinite period, when great reform of Licensing should be introduced.  “But,” says TIM, almost begging pardon for interposing, “in Budget Bill it has been specifically decreed that proceeds of tax should be appropriated during present Session.”  Accumulation, TIM urged, with a vague notion that he was dropping into poetry, is not Appropriation.  SPEAKER agreed with him:  consternation on Treasury Bench; Ministers tried to put bold face on affairs; could not discuss question now; would do so by-and-by; confident they could show there was nothing in TIM’S objection.  An hour later, when time came to resume Committee on Compensation Bill, OLD MORALITY announced that it would be postponed to give Ministers opportunity to consider point suggested by TIM.  Shout of exultation went up from Opposition Benches:  prolonged fight had been won at last; the obnoxious Bill was floored, and TIM had done it.

OLD MORALITY, standing at table in attitude where natural nobility of character struggled with accidental depression, said:  “Success, Mr. SPEAKER, is a mark no mortal wit of surest hand can always hit.  For whatsoe’er we perpetrate, we do but row; we are steered by fate, which in success often disinherits, for spurious causes, noblest merits.  Great occasions, Mr. SPEAKER, are not always true sons of great and mighty resolutions, nor, I may add, do the boldest attempts bring forth events still equal to their worth.  That may be the case with us; but at least we shall carry to our homes the consciousness that we have diligently striven to do our duty to our QUEEN and our country.”  General cheering at this little speech, and scarcely dry eye on Treasury Bench.

Business done.—­Compensation Bill in fresh difficulties.

Thursday.—­Sitting remarkable for two speeches from ordinarily silent Members.  Began and ended proceedings.  First was by WHARTON, on presenting petition signed by over half a million persons in favour of Compensation Clauses of Licensing Bill.  Petition brought down in three cases by PICKFORD’S van.  Conveniently disposed on floor of House; occupied the whole space.  Perturbation on Treasury Bench at the report that there was Royal Commission going forward in other House.  Time of the Session when these are frequent.  Black Rod arrives; requests attendance of Members to hear Commission read.  Advances towards table, bowing to chair; retires backward; SPEAKER follows him.  How would it be to-day, with floor blocked with towering cases?  Black Rod an old sailor, might haul himself up hand-over-hand, and skip across tops of cases; but never do for the SPEAKER so to scramble out.  Hasty and anxious inquiry made.  Turned out to be no Royal Commission to-day; so new disaster for Ministers avoided.