House did so with pleasure. Only a small gathering. Mr. G. absent, which was a pity. On the 7th of December, 1837, Mr. G., sitting on back bench on Conservative side, lifted up "a fine head of jet-black hair, always carefully parted from the crown downward to his brow," to listen to an earlier maiden speech delivered by an elderly young man, "ringed and curled like an Assyrian bull," his violet velvet waistcoat garlanded with gold chains. Across the bridge of fifty-six years a marvellous memory might have recalled this figure had the ex-Member for Newark to-day been in his place to look across the House at the dapper young man, with quiet self-possessed manner, who, having considered this Government Bill, had come to the conclusion that it is "a measure born in deceit, nurtured in concealment, swaddled in the gag, and thrust upon the country without the sanction of the people." The old Disraelian ring about that phrase. House sees again D'ISRAELI the Younger; only Younger than ever. But that is a reproach CONINGSBY may outlive. _Business done._--Third Reading of Home-Rule Bill moved. _Saturday_, 1.30 A.M.--Eighty-second day of debate on Home-Rule Bill. After being "gagged" through all those days and nights of ruthless talk, a House crowded on every Bench, filling galleries and thronging Bar, opens wide its mouth and cheers announcement that Third Reading been carried by 301 votes against 267. When House is unanimous, its unanimity wonderful. Everybody agreed to shout for joy--Ministerialists because majority was 34, Opposition because it isn't 38. "Thank you, TOBY," said Mr. G., when I congratulated him on the end of the long job; "I expect we're all glad it's over. Excuse me, but I just want to drop the Bill in the post for the Lords." [Illustration: Finished at Last!] Crowd waiting outside Palace Yard caught sight of him as he tripped along. A ringing cheer woke echoes of the stilly night; Mr. G. escorted home in triumph to Downing Street. "Dear me!" said the Member for SARK. "Now I wonder how many of those who are now cheering Mr. G. helped fifteen years ago to break his windows?" The Member for Sark always thinks of cheerful things. _Business done._--Home-Rule Bill read Third Time. * * * * * GOING TO THE COUNTRY. (_By another Sporting M.P._) We have talked and divided and sat till we're ill, At the mercy of every pestiferous bore. It's a WILDE kind of thing to be saying, but still Now like _Oliver Twist_ we keep "asking for moor." There are some who think politics naught but a game 'Twixt the Ins and the Outs that is played in the House, But the game that we sigh for (and are we to blame?) Is the covey of partridge or moor-loving grouse. Now we're well in September, and work nearly finished, I'm off, whilst the Commons get lost in the bogs Of Supply and stay on with their zeal undiminished, For the Country may go--like myself--to the dogs!