FOWLER'S strategy deprived him of this accustomed round of luxury. But if President of Local Government Board thought he had circumvented THE MAN FROM SHROPSHIRE he was as mistaken as the Chancellor in another court who used to stare at the ruined chancery suitor and blandly protest that, legally, he was unaware of his existence. Charm of speeches by Member for Oswestry division of Shropshire is their illimitable adaptability. Will suit any purpose, any opportunity. If not delivered at opening of sitting upon his own Amendment, will come in admirably on somebody else's Amendment to another line of Clause dealt with at later hour by another member. Thus, when GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN delivered prodigious oration in presenting Amendment standing in the name of HULSE, THE MAN FROM SHROPSHIRE, bounding to his feet, waved his arms, and in them caught the Chairman's eye. A priceless opportunity this. To deliver your own speech prepared for your own Amendment a commonplace performance. To deliver it either for or against (doesn't matter which) an Amendment moved by another man, on behalf of a third man, is a luxury to be appreciated only by a _gourmet_. THE MAN FROM SHROPSHIRE audibly smacks his lips over it. The other noise you hear is baffled HENRY FOWLER grinding his teeth. _Business done._--Reached Clause VII. Parish Councils Bill. [Illustration: The Shropshire Windmill.] _Thursday._--Some people inclined to regard as sufficient an arrangement that keeps them sitting day after day from three o'clock in afternoon to midnight listening to talk about Parish Councils. Others want a little more. CHANNING suggests House shall sit on Saturdays, and, on four days a week, shall commence business at noon, putting in a twelve hour day. BARROW assents to that, but thinks twelve o'clock Rule should be suspended, so that, for fuller luxury, House meeting at noon may, an' it please, sit all night. No one yet proposed to sit on Sunday and Christmas Day; that will follow as natural consequence. THE MAN FROM SHROPSHIRE, breaking out in fresh place, joins in conversation. Asks Mr. G. if he is aware that scores of Members are ill through overwork, and whether, instead of lengthening sittings, he will not rather shorten them. Expected when Mr. G. rose he would make obvious retort that since Bill has been in Committee there is not single sitting that might not have been shortened by at least an hour if THE MAN FROM SHROPSHIRE had restrained his tendency to irrelevant babble. Mr. G. leaves that unsaid; is very firm about sitting till all necessary business is done; conditionally promises Saturday sitting; announces meeting of Cabinet to consider measures for expediting Bill. After this go into Committee, and succeed in not expediting progress. Night unspeakably dull.