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[Illustration:  YOUNGER THAN EVER!

THE G. O. M.  “NOW THEN, HARCOURT!—­TUCK IN YOUR TUPPENNY!—­OVER!!”]

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every English yeoman went to morning service with a stout yew bow on his back, his quiver full of arrows; shot a buck on his way back (by permission of the landlord), and sat down to his midday meal flanked by a tankard of chill October—­at this stage, it is true, there were signs of impatience amongst town-bred Radicals, who wanted to know about the Bill.

[Illustration:  Mr. G. dreams a Dream.]

But it was very beautiful, and those who, from natural taste, inborn prejudice, or lamentable ignorance, did not care for it themselves, could not fail to enjoy the supreme delight the occasion brought to the Minister of Agriculture.

Business done.—­Small Holdings Bill introduced.

Tuesday.—­Two Right Rev. Bishops, Lord Bishop of ST. ASAPH and he of SALISBURY, in Peers’ Gallery for two or three hours tonight; attracted by debate on Welsh Disestablishment.  Bishop of SALISBURY couldn’t restrain his astonishment at scene.

“One of the profoundest and most important questions of the day,” he whispered in his right reverend brother’s ear.  “It is the attack upon the outworks.  Wales carried by the Liberation Society, we shall have them leaping over the palings into our preserves.  Should have thought, now, the House of Commons would have been seething with excitement; benches crowded; all the Princes of Debate to the fore; cheers and counter-cheers filling the place.  Whereas there are not, I should say, more than eighteen Members present whilst the stout Gentleman down there is demonstrating how much happier Wales is under the benediction of the Church than she would be without.  The whole thing reminds me, dear ST. ASAPH, of—­er—­well, of an eight o’clock morning service in inclement weather.”

“You’re young, brother SARUM,” said ST. ASAPH, “young, of course I mean, in contradistinction to Old Sarum.  When you’ve been a little longer in Parliamentary life, you’ll understand things better.  These empty benches, and the general appearance of being horribly bored presented by the small congregation—­which I may say finds eloquent expression on the face of our friend JOHN G. TALBOT—­simply mean that they have heard all these speeches before, and have made up their minds on the subject.  They are ready to vote, but they will not remain to hear the speeches.  As you say, in such circumstances it would appear more businesslike to take the vote at once, and get along with other work.  But that is unparliamentary.  This will be kept going till there is just time left before the adjournment to divide. Then you’ll see how dear is this question to the hearts of our friends, and how virulent is the persistence of the adversary.”

Turned out exactly as the Lord Bishop had said.  After half-past ten, Members trooped down in scores.  When Prince ARTHUR rose to continue the debate he was hailed with ringing cheer from embattled host.  Pretty to see how gentlemen to right of SPEAKER, mustered for defence of the Church, were careful to contribute to fitness of things by wearing the clerical white tie.