So GRANDOLPH prodded MATTHEWS in the back, buffetted him about the head, and made him begin to wish that he'd resigned long ago. Motion for adjournment of House carried to a Division, and Government defeated by Majority of Five! "A bad Cass--a very bad Cass!" repeated Old Morality, as he picked up his papers, and went off in unexpectedly good time for dinner. _Business done._--The HOME SECRETARY'S. _Wednesday._--HENRY MATTHEWS spent pleasant quarter of an hour this afternoon. SMITH came down, and surrendered unconditionally in the CASS case. Promised to make the inquiry which MATTHEWS had refused. JOHN DILLON suggested that, in order to save time, Ministers should in future make up their minds what to do before the Division was taken. MATTHEWS said nothing. Rather sorry for him. Thought I'd cheer him up a bit. "Don't take this too much to heart," I said. "Good deal of talk about it just now, but soon be forgotten." "Take what to heart?" he asked, with pretty air of surprise. "SMITH is only confirming what I said when I promised an inquiry." "But then you refused it afterwards." "Exactly. So, if SMITH had come down and refused the inquiry, I would still have been all right. Don't you see?" I didn't, quite. Perhaps it will come on further reflection. _Business done._--Supply. _Thursday._--Came upon curious scene in Lobby this afternoon, just after prayers. F. W. MACLEAN, Member for Woodstock Division of Oxfordshire, standing at full length near the Post-Office. To him enter GRANDOLPH, making for House, anxious to see how MATTHEWS is looking to-day. MACLEAN, drawing himself up another inch, looked down on GRANDOLPH. GRANDOLPH, seizing the situation, half turned round, and looked up at his successor in the re-adjusted representation of Woodstock. Neither spoke; but it was a pretty scene, not needing words. [Illustration: Past and Present Members for Woodstock.] GRANDOLPH found MATTHEWS on Treasury Bench, looking as if nothing had happened, and as if nothing was going to happen. House curiously crowded, considering. The old story over again, with just a difference in enumeration of the chapter. Hitherto been on Coercion Bill, First Reading, Second Reading, Committee Stage, and Report Stage. Now Third Reading moved. GLADSTONE begins it all over again, as if nothing had yet been said. Benches filled to hear him, and no one moved till speech ended in glowing peroration. Then Members, simultaneously struck with conviction that they'd heard this before, streamed out. Rest of Sitting dull talk and empty benches. _Business done._--Third Reading of Coercion Bill moved.