WHARTON succeeds somehow when presenting Petition in casting sort of Cathedral Close air over proceedings.  Life-long association with cathedrals and their precincts have invested him with placid charm of manner:  would have made an excellent Dean; gone off capitally as a Canon; now, as he waves his hand towards the space lately crowded by the Petition, wears subtle, indescribable, but unmistakable air, as if he were taking part in a Confirmation Service.

[Illustration:  A Maiden Speech.]

The other orator, GRIMSTON, considerably less ecclesiastical in his manner.  Appeared suddenly on scene at midnight:  maiden speech; very effective.  “Mr. COURTNEY, Sir,” he said, diffidently hiding his hands in his trousers’ pockets, “I claim the indulgence the House always extends to young Members, in rising to address it for the first time.  I beg to move that the question be now put,” Question put accordingly; debate Closured, and so home.

Business done.—­Quite a lot.  Licensing Clauses finally dropped; Allotments Bill read Third Time; Barracks Bill through Committee.

Friday.—­Police in possession of House to-night.  MATTHEWS moved Second Reading of Bill dealing with Force.  Quite unusual consensus of approval, considering it is a Government Bill.  Only for GEORGE CAMPBELL, chorus would have been unanimous.  But GEORGE, looking in from Zanzibar, where he had called after a brief trip through Jerusalem and Madagascar, denounced the measure as “thoroughly bad.”  House thereupon passed Second Reading without division.

Business done.—­Police Bill read Second Time.

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[Illustration:  From Report of Debate on Hares Preservation Bill, June 26.—­“They (the other Members of Parliament) could not go out and kill 300 Dodos,”—­but evidently he (Sir W.V.  HARCOURT) could, and here he is—­caught in the act!]

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“The Oof Bird” is the Auk, as Cornhill Mag. says its eggs cost L170 apiece,—­of course when fresh.  What a big lark!—­Yours, ’ARRY.

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