of a former Chancellor of
the Exchequer, but on the less imposing figure of the disgruntled
Liberal, who is always anxious to strike his party a blow.

Then comes the division. There is some excitement, though we know we
have won. And then we cheer, as we hear that we have won by 27! Clause 9
is now put as a whole. Our majority rises to 29--we cheer even more
loudly.

[Sidenote: Tramp, Tramp, Tramp.]

We go through the lobbies in eight more successive divisions. It is the
dreariest performance. "That Clause so-and-so stand part of the Bill,"
says the Chairman. A shout of "Ayes!" followed by a shout of
"Noes!"--then a cry of "Division!"--then the same thing over again--and
again--and again. We stand at 85 majority in nearly every division. But
we don't cheer, for it is too monotonous; and as for the poor
Tories--where be the wild shouts of "Gag, gag!" with which they rent the
general air--their hoarse cries of "Shame, shame"--their open and foul
taunts in the face of the G.O.M.? Silent--sombre--dogged--we go through
the dreary round. Tout casse--tout passe--tout lasse.

CHAPTER XVII.

THE FIGHT IN THE HOUSE.

[Sidenote: The fatal Thursday.]

By this time everybody has read to his heart's content all the
proceedings of that historic and dreadful Thursday night. I have already
published elsewhere an account of my experiences; and within my limits
here I must somewhat curtail the story. But it is well to correct some
of the many errors which have found their way into the press. In the
slight reaction which has followed the first wild outburst, it is now
seen that there were certain exaggerations in the accounts. For
instance, though there was an exchange of blows, altogether not more
than five people were concerned in this most odious part of the whole
transaction.

[Sidenote: Herod--Judas.]

The row began in a curious kind of way; and, indeed, to properly
understand the events of the night, it is necessary to make a perfectly
complete separation between two distinct periods. The fall of the
guillotine is always certain to be accompanied by a scene of some
excitement and violence. The violence has been diminishing steadily, as
the different compartments have succeeded each other; and though there
were some ugly rumours, the general expectation was that things would
not be so very bad. And, indeed, without any desire to make party or
personal capital, I may state that undoubtedly they would not have been