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House of Commons, Monday, 14th of June.— With ordinary course of legislation blocked this Session there has been so little work to do that House has met only three days a week. Arrangement highly popular with country Members, who, with Monday thrown into usual week-end recess, are enabled to see something of their families at home. Variation arranged for this week. Second Reading of Budget Bill put down for to-day. This one of the events of a Session. On such occasions Chancellor of Exchequer is accustomed to deliver important speech leading to extended debate. To-day Members with one accord put aside private engagements; hurried down to House in anticipation of important discussion.

Occasion chanced to find that eminent traveller, Columbus Vasco da Gama Magellan Joseph Walton, Bt. in Scotland. Had prepared elaborate and convincing speech upon Chancellor of Exchequer's financial proposals. Situation embarrassed by reason of restricted train service north of the Tweed on the Sabbath-day. Chinese Walton, as he is called for short, not the man to be beaten by trivial obstacle like that. By organisation of motor-cars making connection with train bound South arrived in town early this morning.

Got down to House in good time to secure corner-seat immediately behind Treasury Bench, a favourable position for delivery of epoch-making speech. As soon as Questions were over, Chancellor of Exchequer, with characteristic modesty seated low down on Bench, picked up his despatch-box and passed on to seat opposite brassbound box usually occupied by Minister in charge of current debate.

Orders of day called on, Speaker recited first on list.

"Finance (No. 2) Bill; Second Reading."

Then a strange thing happened. Reminiscent of historic fight between the Earl of Chatham and Sir Richard Strahan. McKenna, having been privily informed of intention of Member for Barnsley to make a speech, sat waiting for Chinese Walton. Chinese Walton, longing to be at him, sat waiting for Chancellor of Exchequer. Meanwhile the Speaker, above all things a man of business, observing that no one rose to open debate, put the Question, declared it carried in the affirmative, and the Budget Bill for 1915, involving unparalleled expenditure, passed its critical stage without a word spoken.

Business done.—Budget Bill read a second time. House adjourned after an hour's sitting.

Tuesday.—House crowded in every part in expectation of speech from Prime Minister on moving new (the fifth) Vote of Credit. Anticipation more than realised on highest level. Expecting one speech Members charmed with two. Remarkable by contrast in conception and style. The first evidently carefully prepared. When greeted by hearty cheer that testified to enjoyment of full sympathy of the House, later acknowledged—"to me a source of strength and a stimulus to more efficient performance of arduous duties"—Premier laid on box a sheaf of notes. Frequently referred to them during speech that did not occupy more than half-an-hour. In no degree embarrassed by the tie. A blind man listening would not have known that he had provided himself with assistance of notes.

The second speech, in its way quite distinct, was necessarily delivered on spur of moment. It arose upon brief debate following harangue by Dalziel, who in absence of organised Opposition is making close study of the Candid Friend. Premier adroitly seized opportunity, not designedly provided, to make two happy hits. A little difficulty about appointment to Irish Lord Chancellorship at one time threatened rupture with Irish Nationalists. This afternoon, John Dillon, whilst reserving to his Party the right to criticise the new Ministry on its merits, declared they would always be controlled by honest and sincere desire to aid it in carrying the War to a triumphant issue. With grateful acknowledgment the Premier tactfully sealed this pledge, part in expectation of speech "given on behalf of the Irish Party by one who has for many years been one of its most distinguished leaders and spokesmen."

Another difficulty arose upon appointment of ex-General Carson to the Attorney-Generalship. Naturally resented by Home Rulers, of whom he was the most dangerous opponent. Premier now disclosed the fact that when the post was first offered Carson declined it, tardily yielding to strong pressure put upon him.

General impression that these two speeches have effectually dispelled cloud of dislike, displayed chiefly on Liberal benches, that gathered round Coalition Government. Its position in the House and the country distinctly strengthened.

The M'Neill (not Swift, but Ronald) still on the war-path, hunting after German princes and barons who have during times of peace and amity possessed themselves of residential estates in this country. Here, for example, is Prince Münster, late of Maresfield Park, Sussex, Aide-de-Camp to the Kaiser, now at the Front assisting in