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After my dinner, with my "clay," stringed round the stem, that gums, now toothless, May grip it firmer, here I sit and muse; and memory's sometimes ruthless In bringing up a blundering past. We own up frank, me and my fellows, Where we've gone wrong, and, in regrets employ our wheezy, worn old bellows.
If some who prate of paupers' ways, their tantrums, or their love of snuffing, Their fretting at cold, hard-fast rules, their fancy for sly bacca-puffing, Could only scan the paupers' past a little closer than their mode is, They'd learn that still some sparks of soul burn in those broken-down old bodies.
The very old and very young are much alike in many a matter; Comfort and cheeriness we want, play or a pipe, romps or a chatter. The Nazareth Sisterhood know this, and what is more, they work according. 'Tis love and comfort make a Home, without 'em 'tis bare roof and boarding!
And so laid up, like some old hulk that can no more hope for commission, I sit, and muse, and puff; and wait that last great change in man's condition That shifts us to that Great High House to which the Sisters point us daily; Awaiting which in homely ease, Old Age dwells calmly if not gaily.
INTELLIGENCE ? L'AMERICAINE.
ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.
EXTRACTED FROM THE DIARY OF TOBY, M.P.
"The fact is, TOBY," said Mr. G., when I remarked upon the pleasurable surprise of finding him in his place, "I really did think of making a little holiday, staying away till Wednesday. But when I got up this morning, looked round at green fields and lofty trees, they irresistibly reminded me of benches in House of Commons, and the pillars that support the gallery. Then the sunlit sky is very nice in its way; but do you know anything softer, more translucent or attractive than the light that floods the House of Commons from the glass roof? The more I thought of these things the more restless I grew amid tame attractions of rural life. This morning it might have been said of me, in the words of the poet,
to Westminster. The country is there all through the year and every day: Parliamentary Session lasts only seven, or at best eight months. This year, if we've luck, we may run it into ten. But then House doesn't meet every day. One is expected to go off to seaside, or somewhere else, from Saturday to Monday. Thinking of these things, couldn't resist temptation. So suddenly packed up, drove off, and here I am. Needn't stop all night, you know, if you fellows grudge me a little enjoyment; but shall at least begin evening pleasantly. Shall vote in division on Betterment question, and make statement on arrangements for Indian Currency."
That he should take part in debate on Army Estimates not only natural, but, in national interests, imperatively desirable. HANBURY'S case quite otherwise. He never set a squadron a field, nor the division of a battle knows more than ALPHEUS CLEOPHAS. Yet ALPHEUS CLEOPHAS is not more glib, authoritative, or, on the whole, more entertaining when Army Estimates are to the fore.
"Didn't think," he said, with a feeble smile, "that on occasion of my proud entrance upon Parliamentary life I should forthwith be made into an all-night NUSSEY. All very well to grow gradually into that state of life. Begin, say, with suspending twelve-o'clock rule, and getting off at one or two in the morning. But to plunge straight in like this is, if I may say so, a little hard on newcomer fresh from country. I suppose, from look of it, that it is only beginning of things. An all-night NUSSEY to-day; a weekly NUSSEY before parched July has wet its lips; and so on, till I become a monthly NUSSEY. Very kind of you to come and see me, but if you don't mind, I'll just drop off to sleep. Put the Amendments to the Home Rule Bill on the chimbley, and I'll take a look at them when I feel dispoged."
A nice night we've all had; moreover than which, at a quarter to three, lemon squashes gave out, and as one of waiters in hoarse voice assured me, there wasn't "a hounce of hice" left on premises. Yesterday afternoon Mr. G. moved his time-table Closure scheme in speech cogency of which testifies to miraculous advantage of limitation of delivery within space of half-hour. PRINCE ARTHUR followed in best debating speech he has delivered since he became Leader. Most adroit in argument, excellent in manner, felicitous in phrasing. He, too, brief, and therefore necessarily to the point. After this flood-tide of talk opened, and flowed, shallow but persistent, for next four hours. NAPOLEON BOLTONPARTY, getting on board the Raft of Tilsit-cum-North-St.-Pancras, drifted up and down on washy flood. Erect, arms folded, and imperial hat cocked defiantly at Mr. G. Liberals howled at him; shouts of "Moscow! Moscow!" mingled with cries of "Waterloo!" and "St. Helena!" N. B. shook his golden lilies in their teeth, and punted his Raft into the Tory harbour.
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