“Not at all, TOBY,” said the MARKISS who, indeed, looked quite fit.  “There was nothing particular on the paper to-night, so I didn’t go down.  It’s necessary for Nephew ARTHUR to be regular in his attendance on the Commons.  But in the Lords it’s different.  A happy fortune places the Leader there in a position that relieves him from strain of unbroken attendance.  With STRATHEDEN AND CAMPBELL looking after foreign policy, and DENMAN taking charge of home affairs, my post is really a sinecure.  They talk about ending or mending of the House of Lords; but as long as we are blessed with this remarkable combination of legislative and administrative capacity we can laugh at the idle threats.”

It was DENMAN who took the floor to-night; moved Second Reading of a Bill, the simple and comprehensive object of which was to repeal Local Government Acts of England and Scotland.  These passed only a Session or two ago by continuous united effort of both Houses of Parliament.  DENMAN been closely watching them in operation.  Finds them disappointing, and so would have them repealed.  House fully constituted, with LORD CHANCELLOR on Woolsack, Mace on Table, and quorum present; gravely listens, whilst tall, white-haired, sad-faced man rambles on in plaintive voice, urging proposition which, if carried out, would arrest machinery of Local Government throughout the Kingdom, leaving all to be gone over again.  No one smiles, much less winks or wags the head.  It is just as solemn and as orderly as if it were the MARKISS himself submitting a Resolution or making a statement.  Only, when the plaintive voice ceases and the tall figure is reseated on the Bench, nobody proposes to continue the conversation.  LORD CHANCELLOR rapidly gabbles shibboleth in which “content” stumbles over “not content.”

“Notcontentshaveit,” says LORD CHANCELLOR, by way of last word; leaves Woolsack; the few Peers slowly pass out.  It seems the House has adjourned, DENMAN’s Motion being negatived without Division, and Local Government in England and Scotland will proceed to-morrow as it has gone on to-day.

Business done.—­House of Commons, having agreed to meet at two o’clock to-morrow instead of twelve, makes up for it by getting itself Counted Out at eight o’clock.

Wednesday.—­Came across LOCKWOOD this afternoon in remote part of corridor, gesticulating whilst he recited some lines.  Fancy he’s getting up that lecture on the “Lawyers in Pickwick,” announced for delivery in York on the 15th.  Most interesting undertaking.  As CHARLES RUSSELL says, “Coke-upon-Lyttleton will have to take a back shelf in the Law libraries when Lockwood-upon-Dickens is in circulation.”

Wonder how he finds time for these excursions into the bye-paths of literature?  Hands full at the Bar; frequent attendant here; and yet he has time to discover Pickwick!  He tells me great secret of capability for this kind of work is plain living and regular habits.