The Arkansas advocate., 1836-05-13


 drone-like humming, having almost the sound of distant hand-organ or bag-pipes, issued from the back benches coughing. sneez!ngg, and ,ngea!oasly extended yawn- ! iag, blended with the other sounds, and pro- duced tout-easem6le, which we have never heard excelled i'll the house. A sinole voice from the Ministerial benches initiated very accurately the yelp of kennelled hound" The most graphic description would fall short Of the scene itself. At the iarhest corner of the house, on the Minis ieTla side, there was constant movement oi the persons as well as the tongues of the honorable members. At one time you would have thought, from .he rapidity with which they rose up and sat down again in their seats, that they had been trying some gymnastic experiments. The best per- formers, in another sense, were also chiefly in that part of the house. One honorable member initiated the growing of cock so admirably, that you could not have distin- gushed 1t from the performance of real chanticleer. Not far from the same spot issued sounds marpellously resembling the bleatlng of sheep-blended occasionally with an admirable imitation of the praying of an ass by an honorable member few yards distant Then there were coughing, yawning, and other vocal performances, in infinite variety. and in most dlscordani ohn- rus. There were yelpings worthy of any canine animal, and excellent limitations of the sounds of sundry instruments not men, toned by the Morning Post. The deafen- ing uproar was completed by the cries of "Chair, Chair!" "Order, ofderH' groans, laughter &c. which proceeded from all parts of the house. A more undeliberative assembly was never seen than that which constituted the House of Commons at this moment. One fact will give as good an idea of the scene as the most heightened description. Mr. Poulter, the member for Shaftesbury. succeeded MT. Hughes, who had been obliged to sit down; and though the former, whose voice is one of the best in the house, exerted himself for at least ten minutes 10 IIlake himself audible, there was not. as far as 1 was able to ascertain, dne member who could make out a com fiete sentence of what he said cry few heard even single word. Mr Hardy mado the attempt after Mir. Poulter, but with no better success. He at once saw it would be hopeless, and accordingly sat down. Other members who wished 10 de- liver their sentiments, shrunk from even an effort tc procure hearing. Tho House had determned on division; and a divi- sion on the question before il accordingly took place immediately, which had the effect of restoring order.
 As was not present when the following scene occurred, quote it from the Morn ing Chronicle Of the day after 1t occurred, which was in june, 1854. line question before the House was the admission of Dissentcrs 10 the Universities.
 "Mr. C. Wood rose to reply fThc laughing, jeering, shouting and coughing were such as we never before witnessed The hon. gentleman said that if had been declared that the Bill in it's present stage, was essentially different from what it was when he had the honor to introduce ito the House. At this moment two hon. mem- bers 'o'er all the ills of life victorious sud- denly entered from the smoking room into the Opposition gallery, and stretching at full length on the seats, se- cure from the observation of the Speaker, commenced row of the most discreditable character.) This he denied q say, cant you crow!' Laughter and upfoar)--the provisions had not been altered (sHear him, how he readsl'J -the enaclments were in every respect unaltered Loud cheering, followed by bursts of laughtef.) The question was (sRead it-read itl' and great uproar) )-the question was (sJust so-read it,)-the question was (Greai cheering and laughter) whether the Universities should be open to all, or be forever under the con- trol of mere monopolists. (sWhere's the man what crows?' Laughter and cries of 'Order!' from the Speaker.) Public opin- ion--( 'Order' and great uproar, during which the Speaker, evidently excited, was loudly calling for crder.) The scene here was indescribable.
 The preceding quotation will give some idea of the scenes occasionally 10 be wit messed in the House of Commons. The ] general scenes have usually their origin in inc impatience ofhonorable members 10 get away from the house for the night, but who dare not venture to leave before the dvi- sion, lest the non-appearance of their names in the lists of the majofity and minority the following morning, should leud 10 some un- pleasant questions from their constituents, ii not to requlsllion to resign their seats.
 shall alfude 10 only one more scene of this kind. It occurred towafds the close of last session. An honorable member, whose name l suppress, rose, amidst the most tremendous uproar, to address the