Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-04-22

ment when the combatants have entered and are
preparing to set.to, has all his prospects blasted
by the sudden and unIucky appearance OF magis-
trate with his posse, who peremptoriy ioroids the
fipht-may possibly form some faint idea OF the
c6ayrin and disappointment excited IN the breasts
of Mr.. Jones and his friends by this unexpected
issue of his motion. Mr.. Robson rose IN anger;
elevatinr his voice to its highest pitch, ana sum
moning Ip all his energies, he exclaimed, =" Is 1t
to be borne. that gentlemen shall come here to 90
their dutv and that they shall hear nothing but
silence,'' Loud laughter shook the House through
All its benches. and amidst its peals might be
heard the voice of Mr. Jones, ashe sat at the side
of his friend, hoarsely grumbling in aiilrmauon'
ssOh, II is too bad, it is too bad )"
Since MIR. Jones's time his line of acting has
never been adequately filled. Mr.. Martin, OF
Galway, excited some expectation, and two or
three NIGHTS of his performance appeared 10 Jdsu,
fy it but he ultimately trained on, ana evihceu
n predilection for parts of a sentimental charac-
ter. as NAV have been observed In his speeches.
upon cruelty to animals, though not distinguish
ed by much pathos. The late Sir Frederlck
Flood also tried his strength in the same cast OF
parts. but upon one night alone did he effect any
thing approaching a M.* All his other attempts
were decided failures. This department IN the
House of Commons is now without representa-
tive There is not one member possessing the
happy knack ofenlivening the dizziness OF debate,
ofreeieving the dark masses Of political argument
by the sparkling corusCations OF wit, or even the
glimmering of pun, or disposed to make the at
tempt, and who would not feel hurt at the merri-
ment produced by being betrayed into olunder.
And here we trace further likeness between
the composition Of the House OF Commons and
the establishment Of theatre. In the theatre,
as in the House, there never Is lack OF candid
ates for grave and serious characters, but the
comic performer, who can set the audience IN
roar, is not often met with. Every season pro-
duces aspirants to even the tlrst.rate parts IN
tragedy, but how very seldom do we hear of any
one venturing to rival Matthews or Llston!
Some affected critic may denounce this COM
parison ola scene exclusively devoted to the
representation of fiction with the House OF Com
mons as derogatory to that national assembly,
and inconsistent with the respect due to Its dig
nifty. An obvious answer to every such captous
caviller here presents ITSELF 4 simllitude IN
some points between two things cannot by, any
fair mode of reasoning, be made to imply SINH
lit,lde in all. The most celebrated of the an
cient poets did not hesitate to compare their gods
and goddesses with mortals; and their success
ors Of the present day, when they would extol
the charms of modern nymphs and bellies, do not
consider them affronted by imputing similitude
in certain points to inferior works of nature
One has the eye Of the gazele, another the state
illness of the stag, another the innocence OF the
lamb, another the breath of a COW, or of new
mown hay, another the colour and the GOODNESS
Of snow; if the poet be lover, he sees all these
qualities combined In his mistress, and the lady
never regards the comparison as disparagement
of her virtue or of her beauty.
The Irish House of Commons being similar in
its organization to that of England, it naturally
Of operation. The late Sir. Robert Boyle Roche
was the member on whom, towards its close, de-
volved the task of supporting the light and CON-
ic parts in the nightly performances of the ses-
sion. 1t was he who was destined to relieve
the dull and sombre character Of political discus
SION, and convert the house into a scene of mer.
riment,-if by legitimate means, so much the
better, if not BY any substitute calculated to pro-
duce the desired effect. Sir Boyle was staunch
courtier, who voted uniformly on the Ministerial
side, and it was universally allowed he did it
more essential service by his address, than many
others of equal zeal, and perhaps greater ability.
" WISH" said he, one day, when opposing an
anti-ministerial motion, IS wish, Mr.. Speaker,
this motion at the bottom of the bottomless pit"
at another time. in relation to English connection,
he observed-'' England, it must be allowed, is
the mother-country, and, therefore | would adj
wise them England and Ireland to live in filial
affection togetherl like sisters they and ought
to be-" A question Of smuggling practices in
the Shannon being under consideration 81 would"
said Sir Boyle, g have two frigates stationed on
the opposite points at the mouth of the river and
there they should remain fixed with strict orders
not to str and so, by cruising and cruising about,
they would be able to intercept every thing that
should attempt to pass between" These effu-
sions never failed to excite laughter; but though
that national figure of speech, vulgarly called
bill. was that in which he most delighted to in
dulge, and which flowed most naturally from his
tongue. he sometimes displayed, if not genuine
wit, yet something akin to pointed satire and rep
artee. This was exempli6ed in his remark upon
a speech of Mr.. Curran, containing the fol-
lowing passage:--s' The honorable and learn
ed gentleman boasts that he is the guardian
of his own honor; wish him JOY on his sinecure,"
1t vas an opinion that much of his laundering
was effected, and resorted to as substitute for