[Illustration:  The British Constitution.]

This is merely an incident in the struggle, illustrating one of the embarrassments it has evolved.  Only man thoroughly happy is HARCOURT.  He invented the line of attack on ground of breach of constitutional usages; put up Mr. G. to make his speech; supplied him with authorities, and in supplementary speech amazed House with his erudition.  Made stupendous speech last night; literally gorged the House; to-night picks up fragments and provides another feast:  six baskets wouldn’t hold it.

“Wish, TOBY, dear boy,” he said, sinking back in his seat after delivering his second speech, cunningly grafted on an Amendment, “we could carry this over next week.  I could easily make a speech a day.  Remember when I was once in Ireland, asked a tenant how he liked the new agent, who was reputed to be very able business man.  ‘Well,’ said my acquaintance, ’I don’t know about his business daylings, but for blasphaymious language, he’s au revoir.’  On constitutional questions, TOBY, I may, with all modesty, say I’m au revoir.”

Business done.—­Anglo-German Treaty agreed to.

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MR. PUNCH’S DICTIONARY OF PHRASES.

FRIENDLY COMMENTS ON CHARACTER AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

“She is never at a loss for a clever answer;” i.e., “A cat whose claws are always out.”

“A little stand-offish to strangers, but wonderfully winning when one really knows him;” i.e., “Which one need never do, thank goodness!”

LEGAL.

“As your Lordship pleases;” i.e., “As a Judge, you are a stupid, self-sufficient dolt; but so long as my client, the solicitor, gets his costs, it doesn’t matter a jot to me or him what you decide!”

“With your Lordship’s permission, my Junior will settle the minutes;” i.e., “And so save us both the trouble of apportioning, in the customary perfunctory fashion, the oyster to the solicitors, and the shells to the clients.”

IN THE SMOKING-ROOM.

“You don’t mind my telling you exactly where I think you’re wrong?” i.e., “You obviously want setting down, and I may as well do it.”

“Do you mind just stating that over again?” i.e., “While I think of something to say in reply.”

“Of course you know more about the subject than I do;” i.e., “I am pretty sure you never gave it a thought till this minute.”

“If you care for my candid opinion;” i.e., “I am now about to be annoying, and perhaps rude.”

“All right, I’m not deaf!” i.e., “Keep your confounded temper.”

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