nt, a sort of unapproachable Padishah. In his bosom are
looked all the secrets of State, all the purposes of the Ministry. He
takes no one into his confidence, but broods over the destinies of the
Empire in the haughty solitude of the watch-tower at Walmer. When he
goes away for short holiday, public business entirely dislocated. No
one can say or do anything except hoarsely whisper his name. JOKIM
lives in a state of terror, and even the martial spirit of GEORGE
HAMILTON cowers in recollecting his presence. Only shows how prone
humanity is to error. We and the Public generally have created for
ourselves an OLD MORALITY, a genial, beaming, modest, unobtrusive
personality, always ready to oblige, desirous of meeting the views
of Members in all parts of the House, anxious only to do his duty to
his QUEEN and Country. Whereas it is clear he is a martinet of the
severest type, a ruthless tyrant, a man who rules with a rod of iron,
and keeps his followers in a condition of abject personal terror."

_Business done._--Vote on Account taken. Incidentally, OLD MORALITY's
character brought out in its true light.

_Tuesday._--AMURATH to AMURATH succeeds. We had a Lord ELCHO, and,
thank Heaven! we have one still--not exactly the same, but curiously
reminiscent in voice and gesture. This succession of son to sire is
one of the happiest arrangements of the British Constitution, one most
promising for its maintenance and prosperity. If the House of Lords,
peremptorily and selfishly, appropriated our ELCHOS and our GATHORNE
HARDYS, turning them into Earl of WEMYSS, and Viscount CRANBROOK,
leaving us no substitute or compensation, that long-threatened
institution would be finally doomed. But, by beneficent arrangement,
when ELCHO and GATHORNE HARDY fared forth, the one to become Earl of
WEMYSS, and the other Lord CRANBROOK, behold! there step into their
places other, and younger men, bearing the old name.

[Illustration: After the Adjournment.]

Thus is the wind tempered to the shorn lamb. The system works
beneficently in two ways. Like the quality of mercy, it is not
strained. It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes. The House of
Lords is strengthened by the new recruits, and we still have our ELCHO
to make jokes, and our HARDY to preach sermons.

Listening to ELCHO, jauntily moving adjournment over Derby Day, I
say all this to the SAGE of QUEEN ANNE'S GATE, who shortly replies,
"Fudge!" Remark does not seem consequential;