Quiet night, with further talk round Parish Councils Bill. Mr. G. present, seated between SQUIRE OF MALWOOD and JOHN MORLEY. Singularly subdued in manner; takes no part in discussion; goes off to dinner in good time, and House sees him no more. "And to think," said the SQUIRE, glancing sideways at the placid figure beside him, "that this is the man painted in red and blue by Unionist pavement-artists. Their stories of Mr. G. always remind me of a passage in a theme produced by a young gentleman invited to state what he knew of Cardinal WOLSEY. "'In the siege of Quebec,' he wrote, 'he ascended the mountains at dead of night, when his enemies were at rest, and took the town at daybreak. His home policy was conducted in a similar manner.' "There is about that a picturesque air of circumstantiality, combined with a fanciful inaccuracy, equalled only by things one reads or hears with reference to my right hon. friend, and revered leader." [Illustration: Ireland takes a back seat. Sir William on the Premier's right again.] _Business done._--Some papers on Parish Councils read. * * * * * Double Entente. The TZAR, on peace and friendship all intent, To France his Admiral AVELLAN has sent. 'Twere pity if this Russian olive-branch Portended merely General AVALANCHE. * * * * * Mrs. R. is astonished to hear that "Count TAAFFE, the Austrian Premier, is an Irishman and a Member of the British House of Lords." She says she is sure she has heard that "TAAFFE was a Welshman, TAAFFE was a ----," but she must have been misinformed!!! * * * * * A STRIKE-ING SUGGESTION.--The PITT-coalition was a brilliant idea in its day. A coalition between masters and miners--a Pit-coal-ition, in fact--would solve the strike difficulty. * * * * * THE FRENCH FLAG. AN AMICABLE APPEAL. The Arab dhow to the chase is gone, Chock-full of slaves you'll discover it; And the British cruiser is artfully done By the French Flag flying over it! "Flag of France!" cries the British Tar, "The Arab hound betrays thee. Give him his due, at Zanzibar, And all the world shall praise thee!" The captain and crew by the Franks were tried, And _escaped_--to the wide world's wonder! Oh glorious Flag! Is it then its pride That the slavers hide thereunder? Let France disdain to sully thee, With the curst kidnapper's knavery! Thy folds should float o'er the brave and free, And _never_ protect foul Slavery! * * * * * Misnomer. "FEDERATION" seems aggravation, Conciliation's dead! While fights the "Miners' Federation," The Miners are _un_fed! * * * * *