_Thursday._--Quite lively to-night. Merriest evening since Home-Rule Bill left us. Began with SQUIRE OF MALWOOD. GORST, who is thinking of leaving his property to found almshouses for pious ex-Solicitor-Generals, is alarmed at probable operation of this Bill. His prophetic eye sees time when Parish Council of the future will step in, snap its fingers at him (the Pious Founder); will probably introduce Conscience Clause in matutinal exercises of aged ex-Solicitor-Generals. GORST draws up case on back of Orders; presents it in form of conundrum. SQUIRE OF MALWOOD hugely contemptuous. Nothing easier than to draw up trust deed in form that should obviate catastrophe foreseen by GORST'S fervid fancy. "Just as easy," he says, "as a boy drawing an animal writes over it 'This is a lion.' You draw your trust; write 'This is an Ecclesiastical Charity,' and there you are. It will be out of purview of the Act." This would have been all very well if JESSE COLLINGS had not chanced to be among audience. Members evidently carried away by SQUIRE OF MALWOOD'S sophistry. JESSE pulled them up. "Supposing," he said, looking unutterably wise, "the boy draws an animal; writes over it, 'This is a lion,' and it turns out to be an elephant. Where are you then?" House really didn't know; positively staggered. "Just like one of those questions the _Carpenter_ in 'Through the Looking Glass' used to ask _Alice_," said GEORGE CURZON. "Floors everybody." Instead of sitting down and bravely facing difficulty suggested by JESSE'S active mind, Members, catching sight of SOLICITOR-GENERAL contemplating nature from Treasury Bench, with one accord turned upon him. Cries of "RIGBY! RIGBY!" filled Chamber. Everything forgotten in excitement of this new chase. The lion lay down with the elephant, and the SQUIRE OF MALWOOD led them. PRINCE ARTHUR, back after a bout of influenza, joined in chase with boyish energy. HENRY JAMES and JOSEPH answered from opposite camp. J. G. TALBOT delivered what, judging from his manner, was a funeral sermon over departed but anonymous friend; only a sentence heard here and there amid the uproar. SOLICITOR-GENERAL sat silent, with no other sign of consciousness than an occasional benevolent shaking of the head when the cry of "RIGBY! RIGBY!" rose to stormier heights. At length PRINCE ARTHUR moved to report progress. With this pistol at his head, RIGBY rose, and proceeded in his inimitable manner to deliver an opinion on the case. When lo! the strangest thing of all happened. Members on Opposition benches, who had made themselves hoarse in clamouring for RIGBY, now when he coyly yielded to their flattering insistence on his stating his views, hurriedly left the House. But they'd had their joke, a joke two hours long. Were not going to have it spoiled by an anti-climax. [Illustration: Baiting the Solicitor-General.] _Business done._--None; but a merry night withal.