Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 107, August 11, 1894Various
General
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 107, August 11, 1894
Various
English wit and humor -- Periodicals
Appearance of Parliamentary BALAAM on scene dramatically effective.
Crowded House worked up to highest pitch of excitement by swift
encounter, in which JOHN MORLEY had followed PRINCE ARTHUR, and JOSEPH,
springing in from behind, had clouted the CHIEF SECRETARY on the head.
The SQUIRE had moved time-closure on Evicted Tenants Bill in speech the
studied tameness and provoking brevity of which had riled Opposition
much more than if he had belaboured them with Harcourtian phrase. SAGE
OF QUEEN ANNE'S GATE said a few words, preparatory to packing up for
holiday; then COURTNEY rose from JOSEPH'S side to continue debate.
Members, taking it for granted that he, possibly with some reservations
in favour of Eviction Bill whose second reading he had supported, was
about to say ditto to JOSEPH on question of Closure, began to move
towards door. Arrested by COURTNEY'S solemn tone, and his expression of
regret, evidently unfeigned, at deplorable condition in which the House
found itself. "Woe to those through whom offences come!" cried COURTNEY
in voice which, as he said, was of one crying in the wilderness, and
seemed for its perfect effect to lack only hirsute garb, stave and
honeypot. "Through whom did the offence come? Surely," continued the
Prophet, bending shaggy eyebrows upon the bench where the Busy B's hive,
"the offence lies with those Members who, disregarding the true uses,
functions, duties, and high mission of the House, abuse their powers,
intent to destroy possibility of the right conduct of public business."
Not Ministers, then, with the SQUIRE at their head, responsible for the
deadlock, as PRINCE ARTHUR had painted the scene, and as JOSEPH had
touched it up with stronger colour. It was the Busy Bees. They and "a
junta of irresponsible landlords enforcing their will upon those who
ought to resist them."
O BALAAM! BALAAM! M.P. for Bodmin. Was it for this JOSEPH led thee into
the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah? For this did PRINCE ARTHUR
build seven altars, and offer up the SQUIRE OF MALWOOD on every one of
them? Long time since such a scene was wrought in the House. SAUNDERSON
pished and pshawed, and looked anxiously round for LOGAN. BARTLEY
blushed; HANBURY was hushed; and a tear trickled down the pale cheek of
TOMMY BOWLES--Cap'en no longer, disrated and denounced.
_Business done._--Time-Closure resolution carried.
_Thursday._--Such larks! Yesterday time-closure came into operation in
connection with Evicted Tenants Bill. Arranged that if debate on Clause
I not finished by eleven o'clock to-night, all Amendments remaining on
paper shall be submitted to vote without further debate. Obstruction
scotched; wriggles helplessly, like eel in muddy depths of river,
smitten by the spear.
"Shan't play," whimper PRINCE ARTHUR and JOSEPH, mingling their tears at
this fresh evidence of tyranny, this last illustration of man's
inhumanity to man.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account