PLUNKET looks anxiously at clock.  If CAMPBELL would put his question and sit down he might be answered, and report stage got through.  But CAMPBELL goes on till hand of clock points to ten minutes to seven.

“Order, order!” cries SPEAKER.  Time limit reached; no more debate; CAMPBELL not finished yet; attempts to proceed; angry shouts of “Order!  Order!” before which he subsides.  Then, watching opportunity, suddenly bolts up again and wants to explain that he was not opposing the passage of report stage of Supply.  “No, but you talked it out,” said PLUNKET, with something less than his customary suavity.

[Illustration:  Napoleon B. Bolton.]

This happened more than two hours ago.  There has been the suspension of the Sitting, the resumption at nine o’clock, the Second Reading of the Rating of Machinery Bill; and now all is over, the guests are fled, the garlands dead, and all but NAPOLEON B. BOLTON departed.  He, in fact, has only just arrived, and wishes he had not been in such a hurry to quit the circle where of late he was the object of awed admiration.

Business done.—­Trenormous!

Thursday.—­House filled up to-night; flowing tide evidently with us, including Mr. G., back after his holidays.  Also Prince ARTHUR; been in training for some weeks in anticipation of long spurt in Committee on Irish Land Bill.  Irish Members also returned in considerable force.  Expected to find TIM HEALY arrive in fragments; but he’s all there, much as usual.

“How’s Brer FOX?” I asked him, wishing to hear latest news from Ireland.

“Oh,” said he, “PARNELL’s looking up.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, astonished at this testimony.

“I mean, he’s on his back, and, being in that position, must of course be looking up, if he’s looking anywhere at all.”

Light-hearted TIM!  Time does not wither, or DALTON O’BRIEN stale, his infinite variety.

Scotch Members on before Ireland was approached.  Something about the Scotch Private Bill Procedure Bill.  Formidable List of Amendments to LORD-ADVOCATE’s proposal to nominate Committee.  All the Clans muster.  NOVAR moves Amendment; CAMPBELL-BANNER-MAN objected that thirteen Scotch Members, including LENG and LYON PLAYFAIR, “would not make an adequate Committee.”  ROBERT-SON brought against the LORD-ADVOCATE the grave charge that he was “interpolating an extraneous and alien body into this business.”  Lord KINGSBURY, ex-Lord-Advocate, happened to be under Gallery on chance visit to House.  Heard this remark with huge delight.  Reminded him of the times when he used to sit through long nights with back fairly set against the Gangway post of Treasury Bench, invoking blessings on head of Duke of ARGYLL, and driving the Liberal Scotch Members wild with his perpetual smile of content.

[Illustration:  “Interpolating an extraneous and alien body.”]

Business done.—­Committee on Irish Land Bill started.