of the thirty-three, he who luckily drew this prize of the SEVENTEENTH MAN, was sure to have SIX good men and true on the committee against the other's FIVE. And thus of course it was, in the case of a greater or less proportion of favorable or adverse persons answering to their names. So keenly was all this felt and appreciated by the whole House on these interesting--these _solemn_, these _deliberative_, and JUDICIAL occasions--that on every name being called, there were sounds heard, and symptoms witnessed, indicative of eager delight or intense vexation. Now, on the present occasion, it would at first have appeared as if some unfair advantage had been secured by the opposition; since five of _their_ names were called, to two of those of their opponents; but then only one of the five _answered_, (it so happening that the other four were absent, disqualified as being petitioned against, or exempt,) while both of the _two_ answered!--You should have seen the chagrined faces, and heard the loud acclamations of "Ts!--ts!--ts!" on either side of the House, when their own men's names were thus abortively called over!--the delight visible on the other side!--The issue long hung in suspense; and at length the scales were evenly poised, and the House was in a state of exquisite anxiety; for the next eligible name answered to, would really determine which side was to gain or lose a seat. "_Sir Ezekiel Tuddington_"--cried the Speaker, amid profound and agitated silence. He was one of the opposition--but answered not; he was absent. "Ts! ts! ts!" cried the opposition. "_Gabriel Grubb_"--This was a ministerial man, who rose, and said he was serving on another committee. "Ts! ts! ts!" cried the ministerial side. "_Bennet Barleycorn_"--(opposition)--petitioned against. "Ts! ts! ts!" vehemently cried out the opposition. "PHELIM O'DOODLE"---- "Here!" exclaimed that honorable member, spreading triumph over the ministerial, and dismay over the opposition side of the House; and the thirty-three names having been thus called and answered to, a loud buzz arose on all sides--of congratulation or despondency. The fate of the petition, it was said, was already as good as decided.--The parties having retired to "strike"[3] the committee, returned in about an hour's time, and the following members were then sworn in, and ordered to meet the next morning at eleven o'clock:-- _Ministerial._ _Opposition._ (1.) Sir Simper Silly. (1.) Castleton Plume. (2.) Noah No-land. (2.) Charles D'Eresby. (3.) Phelim O'Doodle. (3.) Merton Mortimer. (4.) Micah M'Squash. (4.) Sir Simon Alkmond, Bart. (5.) Sir Caleb Calf. (5.) Lord Frederick Brackenbury. (6.) Och Hubbaboo. And the six, of course, on their meeting, chose the _chairman_, who was a sure card--to wit, SIR CALEB CALF, Bart.[4]