“Not often I occupy time of House,” he said.  “We Whips make Houses, and you empty them.  DUFF—­and he’s not a Whip now—­made all the running with his orations on the herring brand.  Thought I would make a hit this time.”

“I was a little afraid of it too,” said ANSTRUTHER.

“Oh, you were all right,” said MARJORIBANKS; “the New Magazine Rifle will not fire unless, after first shot, you clean it out with an oily rag, and I was going to take precious good care to forget the rag.  You’ve no public spirit, ANSTRUTHER, since you left us to help WOLMER to whip up Dissentients.”

No appeal from SPEAKER’s ruling.  MARJORIBANKS had to make the best of botched business.  Brought to the table a spring snap-extractor, a bolt-head screw, and some other odds and ends; poor substitute for what he had intended.  Still made out admirable case, Government mustering majority of only 34 against Motion.

[Illustration:  Grandolph’s Latest Achievement.]

Just before Midnight, Tithes Bill reached; GEDGE’s Amendment still blocked the way; Chairman called aloud, “Mr. GEDGE!” no answer; place empty.  Whilst Members whispering inquiry, Bill passed through Committee, and Ministers triumphed.  That’s all very well, but where’s GEDGE?  CORB, who is developing quite unsuspected gifts in the Amateur-detective line, intends to take this matter up when he has settled the affair of the Coroner at the BEDFORD inquest.

Business done.—­Tithe Bill through Committee.  Mysterious disappearance of SYDNEY GEDGE.

Thursday Night.—­GRAHDOLPH back again, bringing his sheaves—­I mean his beard—­with him.  Hardly knew him at first.  No such beard been seen in House since MACFARLANE left us.  Not quite the same colour; but GRANDOLPH could give a handful to MACFARLANE, and win.

“Yes,” he said, when I complimented him on so magnificent a result achieved in comparatively short time, “when I do a thing, I like to do it well.  Little awkward at first, you know, specially on a windy day; tendency to get between your knees, or wrap itself round your neck.  But we’re growing used to each other, and shall get on nicely by-and-by.”

More of Tithes Bill.  Drearier than ever, now GEDGE’s place is empty. Business done.—­Report Stage of Tithes Bill.

Friday.—­Conversation as to course of public business.  OLD MORALITY regrets Tithes Bill not through Reporting stage yet.  Down on the paper for to-night, but didn’t think there would be much chance of reaching it.  So put it down for Monday.  If not got through then, must be taken on Thursday, and JOHN MORLEY’s Resolution on Crimes Act shunted along indefinitely.  Much regretted this; duty to Queen and Country, &c.; but no one had yet discovered the secret of inclosing a quart of fluid matter in a glass receptacle not exceeding the capacity of one pint.

Members thus informed that Tithes Bill was taken off agenda for to-night, went off; House emptied; and when, at quarter-past Seven, CONYBEARE rose to discuss Mining Royalties, was Counted Out.