[Illustration:  “Big with indignation.”]

Business advancing by leaps and bounds; attendance small; Opposition effaced itself; only CLARK and ALPHEUS CLEOPHAS take objection to anything.  Being in Committee of Supply they naturally want to know about things.  The Squire privily approaches them in turn and entreats them to desist, which they regretfully do.  Presently trouble breaks out in fresh quarter.  FERGUSSON takes opportunity on Post Office Vote to ask Candidates at forthcoming Election to ignore appeal made to them by Telegraph Clerks for pledge to vote for Select Committee to inquire into working of Telegraph service.  Says Mr. G. and Squire concur with him in his protest.  This brings up GEORGE HOWELL, big with indignation at what he calls “a conspiracy against the Working Men of the country.”  HARRY LAWSON and STOREY join in.  FERGUSSON sorry he spoke; didn’t mean anything; Opposition mollified; vote agreed to.

Business done.—­Supply closed.

Thursday.—­Mr. G. hurried in just now, a little late.  Been these two hours at Carlton Gardens wrestling with representatives of the British workman on Eight Hours’ Question.  A little out of breath with skipping upstairs and running along corridor to be in time.  Otherwise, as fresh as if his afternoon had been spent lounging on lawn at Dollis Hill, where the other night the Archbishop of CANTERBURY went to dine with him.  Wants to know about the date of Dissolution.  It will be convenient, he says, “at least, for those who have youth and vigour sufficient again to submit themselves to the constituencies.”  Mr. G.’s face wrinkled into smile as he uttered this witticism.  House spontaneously burst into cheer as hearty on the Conservative side as with Opposition.

Rattling on with business.  SPEAKER out of breath with putting the question and declaring “the Ayes have it.”  Irish Education Bill not only passed Committee, but reported and read a Third Time.  SEXTON sits content, having done good stroke of work in amending Bill.  Managed affair with skill, address and indomitable perseverance.  Resisted all temptation to make long speeches; pegged away at his Amendments, and carried the most important in teeth of the Ulstermen.

“All very well,” said DUNBAR BARTON, “JACKSON giving way to those fellows, and Prince ARTHUR saying, as TOOLE does on the House-boat, ‘Oh, it’s nothing!’ It may be nothing to him, but it’s a good deal to us.  MACARTNEY and I have done our duty.  For myself I shall say no more.  I was christened DUNBAR BARTON.  Henceforth let me be known as DUM BARTON.”

Business done.—­More than ever.