_Thursday._--Desperate dulness of week further relieved by discovery of new game. TOMMY BOWLES, _Inv._ House just got into Committee of Supply; Vote on Account under discussion; this covers multitudinous items; every spending department of State concerned. When Committee of Supply deals with Army Estimates, CAWMELL-BANNERMAN and the WINSOME WOODALL in their places. The rest of Ministers may go away, knowing that everything is well. The same when Navy Estimates are on, or when particular votes in the Civil Service Estimates are to the fore. Ministers of particular departments affected in their place; the rest at liberty. To-night, as no one knew who might be called on next, all agreed to stop away--all but the faithful HIBBERT. Cap'en TOMMY, as usual, aloft in the Crow's Nest, perceived this weak point. Hauling on the bowline, and making all taut, he bore down swiftly on the Treasury Bench, and hailed it for the President of the Board of Trade. Wanted to talk to BRYCE, he said, about lighthouses. No one knew better than TOMMY that BRYCE wasn't aboard. According to regulations, he ought to have been. Search made for him. Presently brought in with hands in pockets, trying to whistle, and otherwise present appearance of indifference. But a poor show. Encouraged by this success, Private HANBURY, observing ROBERTSON was among absentees, addressed question to Civil Lord of Admiralty about Peterhead Harbour. HIBBERT'S agony of mind at this juncture would have softened harder hearts. An elderly hen, that has counted its brood seven times, on each occasion finding one or two missing, not more perturbed. Looked up and down Treasury Bench. ROBERTSON, not within sight; might be below the Gangway. Vain hope. For Members opposite interest in Peterhead Harbour growing keener and more urgent. FRANCIS POWELL, usually mild-mannered man, went so far as to move to report progress. MELLOR declined to put question. "Very well," said the Blameless BARTLEY, with air of martyr. "We must go on talking about Peterhead Harbour till the Minister comes in." So he did, and when he ran dry TOMLINSON (having meanwhile ascertained where Peterhead Harbour is) took up the wondrous tale. Talking when HIBBERT reappeared, his breast now swelling with maternal pride and satisfaction. He had found the lost chick, and clucked low notes of supreme content as he brought him back to the roost. Pretty to see how, Civil Lord in his place, all interest in Peterhead Harbour subsided, Busy B's turning their attention to alleged felonious underrating of Government property. [Illustration: Sir John Leng strongly objects to Lion-taming Exhibitions.] _Business done._--Vote on Account through Committee. Sir JOHN LENG calls ASQUITH'S attention to dangerous occupation of lion-tamers. "All very well," he says, "for doughty knight like me. But these poor fellows with families shouldn't be allowed to run risks."