when
the Leader of the House for the time being announces that it will be
Estimates. Members then know that they need be in no violent hurry to
get back, and that things will go right, even though they should tarry
that additional day, or even two days, longer by the sad sea waves or
amid the tall grass.

[Sidenote: To thy orisons.]

It is one of the peculiarities of the House of Commons that the men who
are most in want of spiritual assistance and providential guidance,
never seek the assistance of prayer. However terrible the crisis,
however crowded every other inch of space in the House of Commons may
be, though the ungodliest member may be in his place listening to the
rich resonance of Archdeacon Farrar's voice, the Treasury Bench is
always empty. To an outsider the explanation may be here revealed; which
is, that if you attend prayers you are entitled to a seat for the
remainder of the evening, whereas if you are absent, you are liable at
any moment to be turned out by your more pious brother. But Ministers
are exempt from this general law, for their places are fixed for them on
the Treasury Bench, whatever may happen, and, accordingly, they
invariably--I had almost said religiously--keep away from prayers. Lest
I should appear to do injustice, I may say that the leaders of the
Opposition are just as ungodly, and for precisely the same reason; their
seats also are secured to them by standing order; and, accordingly, they
also never enter the House until its devotions for the day are over.
There was just one exception to this. For some reason best known to
himself, Sir John Gorst (he is usually at variance with his friends) had
come down early on June 28th, and was in his place with edifying aspect
to listen to the solemn exhortation and the soft responses.

[Sidenote: The shout of battle.]

At twenty minutes past twelve there is a roar in the House; the Old Man
has arrived; and there ascends that bracing cheer with which in our
still barbarous times we welcome our champions on the eve of a big
fight. The Old Man has hurried, for he is out of breath; and the deadly
pallor of his cheek is almost affrighting to see. But he soon recovers
himself, though when he rises to speak the breathlessness is still very
apparent, and he has to gasp almost now and then for more voice.
Fortunately on this occasion we have not long to wait for the big
announcement which everybody is so anxiously expecting. It is usually
the fat