‘The specimens we have had of ribaldry and vituperation are, unhappily, too familiar with the Assembly, and even these hardly represent what is heard within the precincts of the Houses. We say, and with much regret, that there are members pretending to political leadership whose language would be a disgrace to a stable; who, when excited by drink or passion, pour out a stream of invective which is not merely blasphemous, but filthy. They have no hesitation to couple the names of persons with whom they have had more or less friendly intercourse, according as the changes of private interest or political sentiment may permit.... We believe that such language is rarely heard in British society of the present day. That it lingers in some parts of New South Wales is to be traced to causes which we shall not describe more specially, but which will, we hope, some day disappear. It is unfortunate when men who have been taught from their early youth to express themselves in a strain which becomes too natural by indulgence are in a position to propagate their example.... We can produce proofs to establish every syllable we say, namely, that the conspicuous men in the House, with one or two exceptions, have been for the last seven years accustomed to speak of each other in such terms as gentlemen never apply, and excepting under the power of that mighty principle which conquers resentment, which gentlemen never forgive.’ Here is an extract from a debate in the Sydney Legislative Assembly:—[13] ‘_Mr. M._ said that he only knew of one minister who ever attempted to make political capital out of religious differences. ‘_An Hon. Member._—Who? ‘_Mr. M._—The Colonial Secretary. ‘_An Hon. Member._—“Shut up!” ‘_Voices._—“Boots,” “laughing jackass,” and other remarks, the application of which could only be seen by persons actually present, and the import of which it is hardly worth while to explain. ‘_An Hon. Member._—“How’s your nose?” ‘_Mr. M._—Sir, I am sober; I hope you are. ‘_An Hon. Member._—“Who?” ‘_Mr. M._—Is the hon. member addressing me or addressing the chair? ‘_Mr. F._—The hon. member is addressing the “jackass.” ‘_An Hon. Member._—Is that the “jackass?” ‘_Mr. M._—I have been told that there are liars and blackguards in this House, and I believe there are one or two. ‘_Mr. P._—I can see one now. ‘_Mr. F._—I move that the words be taken down. ‘The words having been taken down by the clerk, and handed to the Chairman, ‘_Mr. G._ read—“I see one now.” (Great laughter.) ‘_Mr. F._.—I have no hesitation in saying that the hon. member meant to say, and I do not think the hon. member is coward enough to deny— ‘_Mr. P._.—Does the hon. member accuse me of cowardice? Let him come outside and do it. ‘_Mr. L._—The hon. member does not accuse you of cowardice. ‘_Mr. P._—I know what he means. Let him come outside and say it.