! Would that we were discussing divine
philosophy with a friend amidst a genial cloud of tobacco smoke! Would
that we were anywhere--anywhere out of this! Sleep comes not when you
want him. If you read, the gallery keeper is down on you in an instant;
and as to talking, that is quite out of the question. Hark! whose is
that name the speaker announces? It is that of one of the leaders. What
a change has come over the House! No more chatting and laughing of
members on empty benches--no more idling of reporters--no more
indifference in the strangers' gallery. Even the divine voices of the
women are hushed, and they stop to pay the homage beauty should ever love
to pay to intellect and strength. What a grand sound is that cheer
bursting from five hundred throats--for the house is hearty in its
approval of a good speech, on whatever side it be delivered; and how
telling is the reply, and how vehemently cheered--on one side at least;
and how chaotic the confusion, and how discordant the sounds, when one of
the smaller fry attempts to continue the debate which the House evidently
considers has been sufficiently discussed, and respecting which it is now
anxious to come to a vote! The helpless orator's voice is lost in the
clamour. After a few minutes' purgatory he has sense enough to sit down,
the Speaker reads the question, and puts it--the ayes have it, the noes
demand a division--the bell rings--peers and diplomatists and
distinguished strangers under the gallery are turned out. Thanks to our
insignificance we are suffered (though but recently has this been the
case) to remain and see the ayes move in to the right and noes to the
left. The House is emptied with the exception of the Speaker, the
clerks, and the tellers. Immediately it begins to fill. After a little
while all have come back. The tellers go to the bar, and thence in a row
march up to the table, at which they are met by the clerk, to whom they
give the result of the division. Already the House knows which side has
won from the way in which the tellers are placed, the tellers of the
victorious party being on the right side. And now the division is
announced from the chair, the triumphant party cheer, and the House, if
it be late, almost immediately adjourns. Out bound honourable M.P.'s as
schoolboys out of school. Glad enough are they the thing is over; and,
lighting their cigars--it is astonishing what smokers honourable
gentlemen are--not unr