That is all, Ladies and Gentlemen, for the present. _Mr. Punch_, in conclusion, wishes you all a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! * * * * * [Illustration] On 22nd of February Session opened; date unusually late, but then remember our Autumn Session of previous year brought us up to Christmas Eve. CHARLES LAMB, arriving at office late in the morning, pleaded that he made up for it by going away early. House, going away late, returns little later. Very modest Ministerial Programme to commence with. How it has been carried out has been told from day to day with graphic minuteness and uncompromising fidelity by _Mr. Punch's_ humble, but respected companion. "The Diary of TOBY, M.P.," follows the British flag. It is read everywhere--by the pathless ice-floes of Canada, through the length of North and South America, in the cities of Australia, by the watch-fires of the Squatters, on Greenland's icy mountains, and eke on India's coral strand; where _Punch_ appears weekly on the bookstalls, price threepence. It will, therefore, not be necessary to go much into detail, a brief summary sufficing. At the outset GEORGIE HAMILTON promises Bill to strengthen Navy; LORD ADVOCATE mentions Scotch Universities Bill, with Scotch Local Government Bill to follow. PARNELL puts in early appearance, challenging BALFOUR, amid wild cheers from Irish Members, to explain why CAREW, M.P., at present in prison, had been deprived not only of his flannel shirt, but of his hair and moustache? Debate on Address turns largely on Irish affairs. Suddenly, in full tide of attack, comes news of flight of PIGOTT. For awhile PIGOTT'S presence fills the place; his name thrown at BALFOUR whenever he rises; cries of "PIGOTT!" punctuate Ministerial replies. Nevertheless, JOHN MORLEY'S Amendment to Address negatived by 339 votes against 260; Address being finally carried without a division. GEORGIE HAMILTON got on early with his scheme for strengthening the Navy. Twenty-one-and-a-half millions asked for, adding seventy ships to British Navy. Not all to be built at once; whole scheme to be accomplished by April, 1894. Bill, debated three several nights, finally passed. In accordance with pledge given last Session, Supply put in fore-front of business. House sat night after night, sometimes voting money, always talking. All kinds of questions came up in Supply; treatment of Irish prisoners; Ministers' alleged connivance with _Times_; above all, PIGOTT, by this time, huddled up in suicide's grave at Madrid. Special attack made on ATTORNEY-GENERAL for his professional connection with the _Times_ case. HARCOURT led attack, CHARLES RUSSELL taking notable part in it. But his friends stuck to him through thick and thin, and Vote of Censure defeated by large majority.