The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-08-15 00:00:00

Cur 'gonbon Correspodutt
[Wo deem it right to state that we do not at all thusf
identify outset-vas with our Correspondent's opinions.]

The last days of an expiring Parliament
afford a wonderful contrast to the animsted
scenes which characterise the beginning of its
existence. In May, 1880, the general election
had returned a large number of new members
to the House of Comons, and these were
naturally filled with curiosity, as well as actuated
by a desire to perform their legislative duties.
But they could not find seats. All the ordinary
benches were crowded, and the new representa-
tives of the people, charged with important
commissions from the constituencies, sat upon
the steps of the gangways and overflowed into
the galleries, from one of which one night Mr.
Mitchell Henry, contrary to all rule and pre-
cedent, addressed the Speaker, pointing out the
absence of room. Mr. Gladstone, on being
appealed to, good-humouredly suggested that as
time went on ample room would be found. Con-
sidering that this was the twelfth Parliament in
which he had sat, the right hon. gentleman
might be supposed to have had some experience;
but he was sternly rebuked by a London evening
paper, which expressed surprise that the Prime
Minister of England could suggest the idea that
the zeal of this Parliament in its work could ever
be relaxed.

Could the writer of this misplaced lecture to a
public man have looked in upon the House
during its dying days he would have witnessed a
different scene from that so often enacted
in its early existence. A wearied Speaker, worn-
out officials, a few members, half asleep, sparsely
scattered on the benches, the chair of the
Serjeant-at-Arms filled by his deputy, a general
air of listlessness and fatigue—such have been
the features of an assembly which every day
brought so perceptibly nearer to its doem. It
has been said that the world's glory passeth
away; but a great deal of it still remains to us,
notwithstanding. But if any of the former ani-
mation remained of the Rouse of Commons, it
was as a flash in the pan, a flame which after-
wards left the dark-ness all the more felt.

Mr. Gladstone, after attending the christening
of his grandson at St. George's, Hanover-square,
on Saturday morning, left in the afternoon in
Sir Thomas Brassey's famous yacht the. Sunbeam
for a trip to Norway. The right hon. gentle-
man's voice has of late failed him in a manner
which has given much anxiety. The truth is
he drew too largely upon its resources. Where
Mr. Disraeli, in answering a question or making
a speech, would use one word, Mr. Gladstone
would use six, and it is not to be wondered at
that, after half a century of public speaking, the
organ upon which so much work has been cast
has given way. Of course every one hopes that
the veteran statesman may recover his voice, but
it must be remembered that Mr. Gladstone is
within a few months of completing his seventy-
sixth year, an age at which the physical power is
slow at recruiting in any direction whatever.
Sir Henry Wolff's mission to Egypt will not
form the cause of questions in Parliament for
some time. The right hon. gentleman left only
on Saturday' so what he has accomplished cannot
be inquired into until the new House of
Commons meets. People must be getting a.
little tired of missions to Egypt. We all re-
member that of Sir Stephen Cave some years
ago; the mission of Lord Northbrook is the
latest in the recollection and nothing came of it.
Egypt has indeed for years been a terror to the
House of Commons. Sometimes in the multi-
plicity of the speeches which its affairs have
produced, it has seemed as though its ten plagues
were rolled into one. _ _ _

Another link in the political records of the
present and the past was snapped on Saturday
morning, when Viscount Halifax, better known
as Sir Charles Wood, passed quietly to his rest.
Mr. Charles Wood, as he was then, took a very
active part in the Reform Bill agitation of 1832,
and marrying a daughter of the Prime Minister,
Earl Grey, started in political life under highly
favourable circumstances. He seems to have
been a good all-round man, for lie served suc-
cessively in the Cabinets of Earl Russell, the
Earl of Aberdeen, Viscount Palmerston, and Mr.
Gladstone. A man who has retired from public
life many years, and dies at the advanced age of
85, has passed from the field of living and moving
politics; and those who remember him in the
prime of his powers a generation ago can now
only regret that a man who played so many
parts is now no more.
There are many who recollect the platform
speeches—at that time more grandly designated
orations—of Mr. John B. Gough. Twenty-five
or thirty years ago Mr. Gough was accustomed
to address large audiences on the evils of intem-
perance, and there is little doubt did a great
deal of good. Mr. Gough has now collected for
publication the best portions of his speeches
delivered during a period extending over forty
years, and a very interesting volume. it is. A
glance at its contents sufficiently indicates the
influence exercised by the orator over immense
gatherings of his fellow men.
The batting of Mr. W. W. Read for Surrey
against Notts and Derbyshire, respectively,
has been much spoken of in cricketing circles.
It is greatly to be regretted that the first-
mentioned match was drawn, and if it
had been possible to play it out, the
Southeners would certainly have won. The
first encounter, played earlier in the season, was
also left unfinished. It must be very annoying
for the home team, as it has long been their
ambition to beat the lace county, and, if possible,
to place themselves at the head of the cricket
world this season. The above-named gentleman
compiled 126 against the first-named county, and
109 against the latter. It is very curious to note
that when Mr. Read does not carry his bat
he is generally caught and very rarely bowled.
Visitoranotice at the Oval when an interval takes
place for luncheon, or when play ceases for the
day, how a tall gentleman is mobbed when he
leaves the wickets, this is the famous Surrey
batsman of whom his team is so justly proud,
and who may be briefly described as the best bat
and most dangerous run-getter of this or any
other time. Kent who have been playing at
Canterbury nearly succeeded in beating Yorkshiro,
the Tykes wanting 75 runs with six wickets to
fall to escape a single innings defeat. The hop
county also played a strong M.C.C. team over
whom they were victorious by an innings and 48
runs. G. R.