This would have been speech of the evening only for HENRY FOWLER’s.  That admirable in every way; a distinct and far advance on a Parliamentary position won by sheer hard work and ability; an epoch in a Parliamentary career already notable for its steady progress.  Pity Mr. G. wasn’t present to witness the triumph of the most promising of his recruits of the ’80 Parliament.

Business done.—­HENRY FOWLER’s Instruction to Education Bill negatived by 267 against 166.

Tuesday.—­“My studies as you know, dear TOBY, have not specially lain in the domain of history,” said Professor STOKES, in the course of a brief address delivered to me in a corner of the Library.  “The pure dry light of mathematics has had an irresistible attraction for me.  Possibly, therefore, I am wrong in some more or less immaterial points when I say that, since the time of WARWICK, we have had no one prominently in English public affairs with quite the same influence as is possessed by my Right Hon. friend JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN.  The time is gone by when kings were made and unmade.  But my Right Hon. friend has done more than anyone to make the present Ministry possible, and, having made them, he claims the right to direct, and, in some respects, even to mould their policy.  A very curious phenomenon, very curious indeed.  If you were not so evidently in a hurry, I should like to dilate upon it.”

[Illustration:  “The pure dry light of Mathematics.”]

A good deal in what the Professor says; CHAMBERLAIN, as a rule, most considerate in his attitude.  At much pains to preserve an appearance suitable to a Gentleman who sits on the Opposition Benches, and is supposed to know no more of the secret councils and intentions of the Ministry than anyone else in same quarter of House.  Made a slip in earlier stages of Education Bill; talked about “Our Bill,” and disclosed familiarity with its details remarkable since, at the time he spoke, it was not printed.  Doesn’t blunder twice along same road.  Pretty to see him yesterday inviting LORD-ADVOCATE across the table to explain details of measure, he asked leave to introduce, dealing with state of things in Highlands and Islands of Scotland.  CHAMBERLAIN being much interested in question, having marked it for his own, might be supposed to have been consulted by LORD-ADVOCATE before Bill was drafted.  All a mistake.  JOSEPH knew no more about it than an ordinary Member of Opposition, and would be much obliged if LORD-ADVOCATE would briefly sketch his Bill.

To-night, on Committee on Education Bill, MUNDELLA moved Amendment extending beyond fourteen years limit of age at which fee grants would be made.  DYKE obdurate.  JOKIM wrung his hands, and protested thing couldn’t be done.  Hour after hour Debate went forward, Ministers refusing to budge; JOSEPH chanced to look in after dinner; thinks it would be well to accept Amendment; says so in brief incisive speech, a very model of debate; and OLD MORALITY straightway capitulates.  Remarkable state of things; as a study more interesting even than mathematics.