Page:Punch Vol 148.djvu/220

"You can be ole Tirpz in a submarine, an' I'll be Hadmiral Jericho on my man-o'-war. You've got to try an' git 'old o' my foot afore I oops you one over the 'ed—see?"

feeling of irritation throughout the Dominion?

Under-Secretary for War quietly answered that the nomination had been made by Sir John French, upon whose staff Seely has served for six months. As for alleged Canadian dissatisfaction, the only Canadian officer with whom he had conversed on the subject informed him that the arrangement was highly popular not only with the troops but throughout the Dominion.

'Ogge, with pertinacity reminiscent of late King of Bashan and testifying afresh to influence of heredity, wanted to know whether Lord Salisbury has also been made a Brigadier-General, and what are his military qualifications?

House, indisposed further to consider matter, got into Committee of Supply and talked learnedly on aniline dyes.

Business done.—£36,853,000 voted for Civil Service Estimates.

House of Lords, Tuesday.—In casual lull of work undertaken on behalf of Empire noble lords to-day turned for five minutes to think about themselves. One of the odd things that go to building up of British constitution is that House of Lords practically have no commissariat department. Commons, as is well known, have elaborate establishment under direction of Committee annually elected.

Less well known that in these dire circumstances remote end of Terrace, corresponding with that at t'other end where in due season wife of the Speaker privily entertains her friends to tea, is reserved for the peerage. Sark retains vivid recollection of one summer afternoon when he saw Halsbury, while still Lord Chancellor, seated at a Table set in this remote quarter and pouring tea out of a large brown pot for refreshment of two ladies.

Sacred reserve little frequented. Fact is, eight times out of ten, at the hour commonly appointed for taking tea—five o'clock, to wit—noble lords, their daily task accomplished, have shut up shop and are wending their way homeward or clubward.

This practice makes more remarkable a movement formally approved at today's sitting. If noble lords approaching public business at half-past four habitually conclude it at five o'clock, what do they want with dinner prepared on the premises at eight or half-past? On the rare occasions in the Session when debate is prolonged their custom is to adjourn at eight o'clock, resuming the sitting at half-past nine, having in the meantime been home to dinner. Now resolved, by acceptance of report of Select Committee presided over by Donoughmore, to have Refreshment Department under management of Kitchen Committee, on same lines as that which looks after comfort of the Commons. Of course this includes engagement of chef, staffs of cooks and Writers, with daily provision of wherewithal to cook dinners for indefinite number of guests.

Seems a sound business arrangement. Its working will be watched with interest.

Business done.—Lord Chancellor seated on Woolsack at 4.15. Prayers. Batch of Private Bills read second time. At 4.30 public business brought on. Resolved to have Refreshment Department, so that dinners may be served as in House of Commons. At 4.35 House adjourned.

House of Commons, Thursday.—Board of Trade and Board of Works had bad quarter of an hour in respect of the contract for purchase of timber.

Hope of Sheffield, rapidly working out a sum, showed the minimum com-