ong, and he made a speech full of currency and
constitution. Baron Deprivey Seal seconded him with great effect--brief,
but bitter, satirical, and sore. The Earl of Quarterday answered these,
full of confidence in the nation and in himself. When the debate was
getting heavy, Lord Snap jumped up to give them something light. The
Lords do not encourage wit, and so are obliged to put up with pertness.
But Viscount Memoir was very statesmanlike, and spouted a sort of
universal history. Then there was Lord Ego, who vindicated his character
when nobody knew he had one, and explained his motives because his
auditors could not understand his acts. Then there was a maiden speech,
so inaudible that it was doubted after all whether the young orator
really did lose his virginity. In the end, up started the Premier, who,
having nothing to say, was manly, and candid, and liberal; gave credit to
his adversaries and took credit to himself, and then the motion was
withdrawn. While all this was going on, some made a note, some made a
bet, some consulted a book, some their ease, some yawned, a few slept.
Yet, on the whole, there was an air about the assembly which can be
witnessed in no other in Europe. Even the most indifferent looked as if
he would come forward if the occasion should demand him, and the most
imbecile as if he could serve his country if it required him."

But let us look around us. We, the strangers, are up in a comfortable
gallery at one end of a long, narrow, and rather dark chamber, along the
sides of which are narrow windows of painted glass, and bronze statues of
the barons of the olden time. In a smaller gallery, just beneath us, sit
the parliamentary reporters. Exactly opposite us is the THRONE; its
splendour we but faintly perceive, for it is veiled from vulgar eyes; but
there it is--the very spot where Majesty sits, while around her are
principalities and powers,--there the royal assent is given to laws which
affect the weal or woe of an empire--there, with silvery voice, and
faultless delivery, and perfect pronunciation, are spoken royal speeches,
greedily bought up in second editions of the morning papers, and flashed
along the electric wires to all the great cities of our own and the
capitals of other lands. At present a few peers are leaning against the
rails and chatting--that is all. A little below the throne is the purple
velvet cushion--the object of so many a struggle--of so many a year of