_Friday._--Bi-metallism the matter to-night. SAM SMITH brings on attractive subject in one of those terse, polished, pregnant orations for which he is famous. Nevertheless, the few Members present yawn. OLD MORALITY--"nothing if not man of business"--finds topic irresistible. Whilst subject _caviare_ to the General (GOLDSWORTHY and others), seems matter of life and death to a select half-dozen; these glare at each other across House, as if arguments advanced _pro_ and _con_. affected their private character. Prince ARTHUR plunges in; declares in favour of Bi-metallism; Irish Members share common ignorance on subject; but this settles them; go out in body to vote for Mono-metallism; SAM SMITH'S Motion for Conference negatived by 183 votes against 87. * * * * * --> NOTICE.--Rejected Communications or Contributions, whether MS., Printed Matter, Drawings, or Pictures of any description, will in no case be returned, not even when accompanied by a Stamped and Addressed Envelope, Cover, or Wrapper. To this rule there will be no exception. * * * * * Transcriber's Note: This book contains some dialect. Page 196: Both 'wingéd' and 'wingèd' were used in this book, and both have been retained: "What does that wingéd portent in mid-air," "Must watch his wingèd rival. Who may tell"