“More like a barrel-organ,” he responded, gruffly.  “HALL has the oratorical manner of a street-preacher, and the emptiness of a tankard that a thirsty porter has held to his lips for sixty seconds.  Like a skilfully-drawn glass of his own four-half, he’s mostly froth; only, after all, there’s something under the froth in the glass of ’HALL’s Hextra,’ and there’s nothing beneath the sound of HALL’s ambitious common-places.”

[Illustration:  Hirsute Hints for Lord Randolph; or, the Art of Political Make-up.]

SARK often says nasty things; seems in particularly disagreeable mood to-day.  Even fell foul of the inoffensive Member for Crewe.  WALTER MCLAREN, whilst declaring himself strongly in favour of Bill, wanted to throw it out because it didn’t provide opportunity for women to marry their deceased husband’s brother.

“McLAREN,” snarled SARK, “is one of those typical Radicals who have no toleration.  He’s the sort of man who would bite off his nose to spite his face.  Quiet, gentle, almost feminine, in his manner, he would think nothing of boiling you and me in molten lead if we didn’t cross our t’s exactly at the height he is accustomed to do, or dotted our i’s at an angle which did not conform with his views.  Scratch a Radical, TOBY my boy, and you’ll find the Tyrant.”

I’ll take care to do no such thing.

Business done.—­Deceased Wife’s Sister Bill read Second Time by 202 Votes against 155.

Thursday.—­After long period of anxiety, House to-night reassured.  GEDGE, who hasn’t been seen since he disappeared after obstructing passage through Committee of Tithes Bill, turned up again.  Curiously regarded by House; looked for signs of privation, but no falling off visible, whether in physical contour or volume of voice.  Tithes Bill during his absence has gone through Committee and Report stage.  Now awaiting Third Reading.  GEDGE proposed to continue his speech interrupted by stroke of Midnight, when House in Committee.  Fixed himself obligingly behind GOSCHEN and HICKS-BEACH, so that they should miss nothing of his counsel, and started off.  Instantly arose stormy cries for Division.  GEDGE, wherever he has been, seems to have been well-fed, and kept generally in good fettle.  Cheerfully accepted challenge to vocal contest.  Every time he commenced sentence the boisterous chorus, “’vide! ’vide! ’vide!” rang though House.  Opposition, who didn’t want Bill, started it; Ministerialists, anxious to see Bill pass, took it up; a roaring, excited crowd; amid them GEDGE, grey-faced, imperturbable, with mouth wide open, shouting in the ear of the pleased CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER. Business done.—­Tithes Bill read Third Time by 250 Votes against 161.

[Illustration:  “In rising to respond.”]

Friday.—­The United Services come nobly to the front to-day, all about Nelson’s Pillar in Sackville Street, Dublin.  However it may be at Westminster, Irish Members can’t abear obstruction at home; brought in Bill to remove Monument lower down street; long debate; towards close Admiral FIELD suddenly hove in sight; bore down on enemy.