“What’s the matter.  HORSLEY?” I asked, coming across our able and indefatigable Superintendent striding about the Corridor, as NAPOLEON visited the outposts on the eve of Austerlitz.

“It’s them Women, Sir,” he said.  “Perhaps you’ve heard of them at St. James’s Hall last night?  Platform stormed; Chairman driven off at point of bodkin; Reporters’ table crumpled up; party of the name of BURROWS seized by the throat and laid on the flat of his back.”

“A position, I should say, not peculiarly convenient for oratorical effort.  But you seem to have got new men at the various posts?”

“Yes, Sir,” said Field-Marshal HORSLEY. lowering his voice to whisper; “we’ve picked em out.  Gone through the Force; mustered all the bald-headed men.  They say that at conclusion of argument on Woman’s Suffrage in St. James’s Hall last night, floor nearly ankle-deep in loose hair.  They don’t get much off my men,” said HORSLEY, proudly.

[Illustration:  “So young and so iniquitous!”]

Very well, I suppose, to take those precautions.  Probably they had something to do with the almost disappointing result.  Everything passed off as quietly as if subject-matter of Debate had been India, or Vote in Committee of Supply of odd Million or two.  Ladies locked up in Cage over SPEAKER’s Chair, with lime-lights playing on placards hung on walls enforcing “Silence!” Cunningly arranged that SAM SMITH should come on early with speech.  This lasted full hour, and had marvellously sedative effect.  Some stir in Gallery when, later, ASQUITH demolished Bill with merciless logic.  Through the iron bars, that in this case make a Cage, there came, as he spoke, a shrill whisper, “So young and so iniquitous!” Prince ARTHUR, dexterously intervening, soothed the angry breast by his chivalrous advocacy of Woman’s Rights.  As he resumed his seat there floated over the charmed House, coming “So young and so as it were from heavenly spheres above the iniquitous!” SPEAKER’s Chair, a cooing whisper, “What a love of a man!”

Business done.—­Woman’s Suffrage Bill rejected by 175 Votes against 152.

Friday Night.—­Little sparring match between Front Benches.  Mr. G. and all his merry men anxious, above all things, to know when Dissolution will dawn?  SQUIRE OF MALWOOD starts inquiry.  Prince ARTHUR interested, but ignorant.  Can’t understand why people should always be talking about Dissolution.  Here we have best of all Ministries, a sufficient majority, an excellent programme, and barely reached the month of May.  Why can’t we get on with our work, and cease indulgence in these wild imaginings?  Next week, on BLANE’s Motion, there will be opportunity for Mr. G. to explain his Home Rule scheme.  Let him contentedly look forward to pasturing on that joy, and not trouble his head about indefinite details like Dissolutions.

This speech the best thing Prince ARTHUR has done since he became Leader.