Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-04-22
From the New Moathy Magazine for March.
PARLIAMENTARY ANECDOTES.

renortinr- in full and satisfactory manner. Mr..
Woodfai did not take note. He relied entire
" upon memory, the retentive power of which,
as eynced by the fidelity of his reports, obtained
for him the character Of very extraordinary man.
So Jealous was the House at that time of prac-
flee now not merely tolerated but encouraged,
Mr.. Woodfall. when he visited the gallery, was
Obliged to study concealment, under the appre-
hension of being turned Quit seen by the Speaker
or any member particularly adverse to his pur-
pose. and Jealous to maintain the rules of the
House.t 1t was his practice, upon such occa-
sions, to smuggle himself into the gallery, under
cover of one or two friends, and to take his sta
ton on the front row, Immediately behind the
clock, where he remained out of the sight Of the
BODY of the House. The newspaper reports OF
Parliamentary debate since Mr.. Woodfall's time
afford a tolerably fair account of what has been
spoken in Parliament; indeed, at the present
time; that portion of daily Journal is executed
with surprising fidelity, but the representation is
imperfect in very important point: the great va
riety of matter taken in at the eye is wanting;
the tlrapery, the establishment, the action OF the
scene, so interesting feature in oratory, are abb
sent from the report. We hear the thunder but
see not the lightning, whether it plays in lam
bent, harmless flame, or, flashing furiously, marks
its fiery course with destruction. This detclen-
cy will be explained i'll the scenes hereinafter
described, in which few of the light and comic
parts are represented with the respective perfor-
mers, but rejecting all grave and serious matter.
Of all the orators in the iiouse OF Commons
within the interval mentioned, MIR. Sheridan
most excelled in exciting meriment, and thus re-
lieving the sOmbre character ofgrave and serious
debate. He sought to amuse with as much avid
ity as to convince; he never rose In the House
without producing laughter by some troke OF wit
before he sat down; and the audience would have
been disappointed in his speech, however elo-
uuent, had he concluded without making the at.
tempt.
On the secession Of Mr.. Fox and his friends
from regular Parliamentary attendance, new p-
position, or, more properly, the shadow OF an op-.
position, appeared in its place in the House OF
Commons, like fungus in the forrest growing
from the seat of fallen tree. This little opposi-
ton consisted of Messrs Robson, i. Jones, and
few other gentlemen. Although small in num-
Der, it was complete in organization. MIR. Jones
applied himself chiefly to the conduct of the war,
and Mr.. Robson to our domestic economy. Un-
der their auspices. and supported by their talents
the House of Commons abOunded with comic
scenes more than at any other period oflts histo-
ry; and the old adage, "when the cats away the
mice will play" was thus completely VERIFIED
The paper money, introduced by the bill sus-
pending cash payments by the bank, was at that
time subject offrequent and repeated complaint.
1t was condemned by its adversaries as hollow,
deceptive expedient. ltsfriends extolledit with
extravagant praise, as "a solid system Of finance
Among the former was Mr.. Jones Having wit
messed the effect produced by Mr. Burke's dag
ger-scene,t when denouncing French Jacobins q
the French Revolution, MIR. Jones armed himself
with one pound bank of England note, and, hav-
ing INDUCED himself in furious attack upon the
new system, witha view to give it more effect he
duttered the note in the face of Mr.. Pitt, ex-
claiming with great vehemence, 'sThere, there is
your solid system Of finance!" while he pointed
with an air of triumph to the Aimsy rag, which,
purposely all worn and torn, hung in tatters from
his hand. MIR. Jones was stout robust bgure,
with gruff stentOrian voice, which he generally
exerted at its hi. hest pitch. The energy of his
manner, the roughness of his tones, and the indg.
nant expression of his eye, gave fine effect to
this scene; but at the moment when the house ex.
pected to see him in paroxy of rage ,suiting the
action Of the word. fling the despised bit of paper
in the face Of Mr.. Pitt, or certainly at his feet,
the orator; suddenly pausing, folded it up very
uSioSioeCtyt pOoitSu III "S ooeeoW Va hio
right hand breeches pocket, which he buttoned
with extraordinary care. thus confirming the views
Of his adversary, and afording practical refuta-
ton of his own. The House amused with this
extraordinary denouement, was convulsed with
laughter, while the orator, unconscious of the
cause, stared with antonisLment at an effect so
little corresponding with the impression which he
meant to produce.
Upon another occasion, Mr.. Jones gave notice
Of a motion for papers on which to found CEN
sure upon the Minister for ignorance or incapaci-
ty displayed in the conduct Of the war. The day
appointed was now arrived. The honorable
member and his friends. anticipating strong re-
sistance and hard fought battle, were early in
the field, and drawn up in hostile array upon the
Opposition bench. AT five o'clock, the Minister
and chosen band of his friends entered the
House, and marching up with stately step, ranged
themselves upon the Treasury rows, presenting
an adverse front to the enemy. Mr.. Jones rose,
and after having spoken for some time with his
usual vehemence, concluded by moving for the
papers. The Minister, contrary to the expecta-
ton of the party nodded assent, and the motion
was carried withouta debate. An amateur of the
puglistic science, who has been iolted fifty miles