his) care will be taken to have present force
strong enough to resist raid on Scotch office. Proposal unsuspiciously
assented to.

_Business done._--Supply.

[Illustration: Earl Sp-nc-r introduces Incontrovertible Argument.]

_Wednesday._--A nicht wi' BURNS. A good drizzling Scotch mist from noon
till Six o'Clock. Scotch Lunacy, Sheriff of Lanarkshire, Secretary for
Scotland, Scotch Technical Instruction Bill were among subjects dealt
with. Might have been going on now had not one of the Scotch Members,
feeling his brain softening, moved the Closure. Old Morality woke up
from his sleep in condition of righteous indignation. Here was audacity,
indeed! An obscure Scotch Member presuming to poach on his preserves, to
interfere with his sacred privilege of moving Closure! Began in tones of
mingled sorrow and anger to protest. SPEAKER interposed. Reminded him
that Closure motion could not be debated. Must be put forthwith. So
done. Flood of talk stopped. Bill under discussion read Second Time, and
Old Morality led out, pallid and palpitating.

[Illustration: "Obstruction!"]

Lord Advocate coming back from visiting him, finds passage obstructed by
ARTHUR BALFOUR. Shall he jump over, or crawl under? Either difficult on
August day for a stout gentleman. So whispers across barricade that
"SMITH'S much cut up," and sits down on hither side.

_Business done._--All Scotch.

_Thursday._--Very small attendance in Commons. Considerably over forty
remain on Opposition Benches to support Sage of Queen Anne's Gate's
demand for Adjournment, in order to discuss cost and consequences of
DRUMMOND WOLFE'S pic-nic in the East. Soon as gained consent, general
exodus, and Sage cheerfully chats across deserted floor with GOSCHEN,
who takes incessant notes. JOHN DILLON, who, what with intolerable
interposition of Scotland yesterday, has not made speech since Tuesday,
breaks in and shows that, next to Ireland, Egypt is most distressful
country that ever yet was seen. Conversation drags along till after Ten
o'Clock, when it dies of sheer inanition. Then Government Allotment Bill
on. HARCOURT makes discovery that it promises only one acre and no cow
at all. GOSCHEN hauled up again to whipping-post. Taunted with sudden
conversion to principle of compulsion. True, didn't like compulsion. Had
always said so, but "impossible for a single member of a Government to
carry out his views on every point;" whereat Opposition grinned.

_Business done._-