on the Table, the same stately figure in the Chair, and the same Sergeants-at-Arms relieving guard at the Cross Benches.  There are not quite the same two Irish Leaders, for BRER FOX has ‘gone away.’  BRER RABBIT I see sitting over there with his kindly face and his friendly smile, perhaps the only Irishman in the House who, if a coat were trailed before him, would turn away from temptation.  It’s only Irishmen, with their inexhaustible fund of humour, who would have put JUSTIN MCCARTHY in his present place.  Doesn’t much matter so long as TIM HEALY’s around.  I’ll bet my gold mine at Mashonaland against the Kennel, Barks, that TIM will make up the average of fighting even when BRER RABBIT in the scale.”

[Illustration:  A GIFT FROM THE GREEKS.

RIGHT HON.  ARTHUR.  “IF I CAN ONLY GET THIS THROUGH, IT OUGHT TO SETTLE
’EM!”]

There’s one thing changed GRANDOLPH did not allude to; perhaps unconscious of it.  ’Tis his own appearance.  In addition to the beard, he has put on ruddy tint that speaks well for Mashonaland as a health resort compared with Westminster.  Amongst the pale-faced legislators his visage shines like the morning sun.  “Quite a Colonial look about him,” says ALGERNON BORTHWICK, fretfully.  “But, after a few dinners at the Amphitryon and a few nights at the House and elsewhere, he’ll get over it.”

Members from all parts crowd round GRANDOLPH to shake the horny hand of the intrepid explorer, the dauntless lion dompter.  A cold air whistles along the row of Ministers as he sits behind.

“What’s he up to?” JOKIM hoarsely whispered, all his native gaiety eclipsed.

“Come down, I suppose,” said Prince ARTHUR, smiling, “to congratulate us on our great victory last night, whereby we escaped defeat in Debate on Address by triumphant majority of 21.”

“Quite a stormy petrel don’t you think?” JOKIM said, nervously rubbing his hands.

“Not exactly,” said Prince ARTHUR; “that usually comes before the storm you know.  If you must be personal and ornithological, I should say GRANDOLPH’s appearance on the scene is more reminiscent of the vulture; a little hasty in his appearance perhaps, but that is none the less significant.”

Business done.—­Practically none, and so home to dinner at twenty minutes to eight.

Thursday Night.—­Prince ARTHUR explained provisions of long-looked-for Local Government scheme.  A remarkable, unexampled, scene.  House crowded on every Bench, with Duke of DEVONSHIRE looking down from Peers’ Gallery, thanking Heaven he is out of it.  Prince ARTHUR’s manner in introducing the measure in keeping with the strange surroundings.  Might reasonably have been expected that he would have been at pains to recommend the Bill to acceptance of House.  Not a bit of it.  If people insisted upon regarding it as the most important business of Session, Prince ARTHUR couldn’t help it.  But he certainly would not foster the delusion.  In its potentiality of beneficent effect, the Bill nothing in comparison with the Coercion Act or the Light Railways Act.