Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 109, August 24, 1895Various
General
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 109, August 24, 1895
Various
English wit and humor -- Periodicals
House so surprised at this performance it almost forgot to shout. What
usually happens on like occasions is for one Leader of Party to take
his seat amid loud cheers from his friends, taken up with strident
voice from other side when their man comes in. Now cheers, if indulged
in, would mingle, and might be misunderstood. A welcome meant for
PRINCE ARTHUR might seem to be bestowed upon SQUIRE, and _vice versâ_,
as Mr. ANSTEY once said. Whilst perturbed House looked on, HEMPRER
JOE, having watched his men, fairly started, reach their goal,
followed with swinging step and the inevitable orchid.
To see him seat himself on Treasury Bench, the right-hand man of a
Tory Government, too much for the feelings of TIM HEALY, usually held
in stern reserve. During interval of General Election TIM been holding
sweet converse with his colleagues in general, BLAKE and TAY PAY
in particular. By odd chance he, taking his place in new Parliament
to-day, found himself seated between his two friends, to whom
presently entered the "dear JUSTIN" of a voluminous missive. Soothed
by such companionship TIM in melting mood. But sight of HEMPRER JOE
finally crossing the gangway, formally completing marvellous journey
from Birmingham to Hatfield, too much for trained equanimity. TIM
groaned aloud. SWIFT MACNEILL roared as if in anguish. Dr. TANNER
(figuratively of course) cut himself with knives, emitting sounds that
nearly frightened to death two new members seated on either side
of him. L'HEMPRER smiled benignly. Clerk at Table, dexterously
interposing, pointed spectral forefinger at JOHN MOWBRAY, who rose
to "move that the Right Hon. WILLIAM COURT GULLY do take the Chair as
Speaker."
A delicate task, seeing that a few short months back he had run WHITE
RIDLEY for the Chair against the man whose price to-day he fixed far
above rubies. Admirably performed; made easier by fact that meanwhile
GULLY had filled the Chair, acquitting himself in manner that
justified choice of friends and extorted admiration on other side.
"All very well," says SARK, "to talk about preserving cherished
traditions and best precedents of House. But suppose GULLY had been--I
won't say a failure, but--anything short of perfect manner in the
Chair, where would he have been to-day?"
Certainly not in the Chair, whither MOWBRAY led him, escorted by JOHN
ELLIS, and where PRINCE ARTHUR welcomed him in terms which indicated
that now was the dearest desire of his heart fulfilled. As for SQUIRE
OF MALWOOD, he was so affected that he fell into his most funereal
manner.
"One would think," said CHAPLIN, himself in the highest spirits, "that
he had come to bury GULLY, not to praise him."
_Business done._--SPEAKER re-elected.
_Tuesday._--"Our army may have sworn terribly in Flanders," said Mr.
MILMAN, tossing back the wig from his throbbing brow and rearranging
his crumpled gown; "it was nothing to what the House of Commons can do
when called upon."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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