Truth of Admiral’s remark about living in flabby times proved through rest of Sitting.  “Don’t,” said GEORGE TREVELYAN, yesterday, speaking about RUSSELL’s Amendment on Plurality of Vote Bill—­“don’t drag this ghost of a dead red-herring across the path.”  Only the imagination of genius could conjure up this terrible vision.  Realised it to-night when Irish Local Government Bill took the floor, and asked to be read a Second Time.  Thought it was as dead as a herring, red or otherwise; but here’s its ghost filling House with gloom.  Promise of several days’ cheerful conversation.  SEXTON promptly turned on flood of everlasting talk, hopelessly swamping place to begin with.  Here’s a Bill no one believes Government seriously intend to proceed with; still feel bound, having introduced it, to take Second Reading.  Must show it’s not quite so ridiculous as it seemed when, three months ago, Prince ARTHUR introduced it, and House laughed it off premises.  Sensible course suggested at close of Sitting by WILFRID LAWSOW.  “Scandalous waste of time,” he said; “the sooner we finish Debate the better.”

SEXTON full of scorn for the hapless measure.  Looked it all over, and behold! there is no good thing in it.  Might have said this in ten minutes, or at most, quarter of an hour.  But temptation to straddle irresistible; discoursed for full hour and half; talked clean out of Peers’ Gallery FIFE and Earl SPENCER, who had innocently looked in.  MADDEN, not to be outdone, talked for another hour and half; out of a possible seven hours’ debate three appropriated by two speakers.  Quite Maddening.  Afterwards, RATHBONE, JOHNSTON (of Ballykilbeg), WEBB, COGHILL, BLANE, and AMBROSE.

A weary world, my masters!

Business done.—­None.

Friday.—­Morning Sitting for further discussion of Local Government Bill.  Only four Members spoke, each Member at terrible length.  At this rate quite clear, if every Member is to have his say—­and why shouldn’t he?—­House must sit into August before even Second Reading stage of Bill is disposed of.  Should have been Evening Sitting, but things rapidly approaching collapse.  Members in state of coma.  Couldn’t get forty together; and as soon as SPEAKER took chair Counted Out.

Business done.—­None.

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