The native American., 1837-09-30
ENGLISH HOUSE OF COMMONS.
BY COOPER.


] went down TO ST. Stephens about six o'clock, and
passing through divers intricate ways, finally reached
place where man stood In sort of box, like The
boxoffce keeper in theatre, with the difference that
the retailer Of places in the gallery of the House OF
Commons carried on his business in open and manly
manner there being necessity for peeping through
a hole to get sight of his face. am not quite cell
tain that this is not the only thing connected with par
Lament, that is not or less mysiihed.
Having paid my half crown, was permitted TO GO
at large to small room with high ceiling. Out of
this room assembled some flights of narrow steps,
mounting which, reached narrow lobby, that COM
mnnicated by doors in front with the gallery OF
the House, and by two doors at its ends with little
pent-ip rooms, which afterwards found answered as
sort of reporters guard rooms. There was also
little door in front, between the two principal entrances
by which the reporters alone went in and out OF the
gallery.
found the chapel badly lighted at least so it seem
ed from above. There might have been fifty or sixty
members present, more than half Of whom belonged TO
the ministerial side Of the house, and not few of
whom were coming and going pretty assiduousy be-
tween BeIlamy's and their seats. Belamy's is the
of the legislative cofee-house, and is in the
building.
The speaker sat buried in a high chair, sort Of
open public, under canopy, with an enormous wig
covering his head and shoulders. He looked, by the
dim light, like feeble attenuaed old man, old
woman, for really it not easy to say which; but
his " order! ORDERn 20 was uttered in potent bass
voice, and in sort of octave manner, that have at
mode Of calling order peculiar to the office,
to the maa, cannot tell you, but quite likely the
former, for there is hereditary Difference for such
thing here, as well as for wig.
The members sat with their hats on, but the speaker
uncovered, if be said to be uncovered
who buried in tow They sit on benches with backs
Of the ordinary height, and ! counted six members
with foot the backs Of the benches before them
and three with both feet. The latter very inter-
esting attitudes, good deal resembling those which
your country buck is apt to take in an American bar
room, and which have in church. do not
mention these trhes to draw any great moral politi
cal consequences from them but simply because SINH
lar things have been commented on in connection with
Congress, and ascrbed to democracy. am Of opinion
political systems have little to do with these tours de
forces but that there is rather tendency in the Anglo
Saxon race to put the heels higher than the head.
Behind the speakers chair two members were
stretched at full LENGTH asleep. presume the bench
es they occupied softer than common for two
three others seemed anxiously watching the bssful
moment OF their waking, with evident intention to
succeed them. One did arise, and successor was in
his place in less than minute. That may dispose
of this part OF the subject for ALL will add that
during the evening, three young men came into the
side gallery. within fifteen feet of me, and stretched
themselves the benches, where they were not visi-
BILE to those in the body of the house. Two were dis
posed to Sleep nationally, but of them kept pulling
their coats and legs in way render it easy mat
ter, when all three retired together laughing, as if 1t
were bad job. should think neither of the three
was FIVE and twenty.
have now given you exact account of the an
tics Of the House of Commons my first visit, and
as made note OF them the spot, rather in the
lobby, to which driven once, in the of
the evenings and shall merely add that, far my
experience goes, and it extends great many subse-
quent visits they rather characterize its meetings l
leave you to say whether they render the Legislature Of
England any worse or any better better, though, for
my own part, think it matter of perfect moonshine.
The only times when have seen this body in more
regulated attitudes, have been occasions when the
house crowded, to compel the members to
keep their legs to themselves.
AS respects the cries, so much spoken of, some of
them are droll enough. Ofthe " Hear hear! hear!''
shall say nothing, unless it be to tell you that they
are modulated as to express different emotions,
There is membersor two, just now, that rather
expert in Growing like cock, and have known
attempt to bleat like lamb, but think it fail
ure. quite unprepared for species of inter-
rupon, which is invention, and seems likely to
carry all before it. for time. Something that was
said excited most pronounced dissatisfaction among
the wings, and they set up noise that was aughabe,
like the qua-a-cking of flock of ducks. For some
time did not know what to make Of ii--hen thought
the CRY was Bal bar! bari" and fanced that they
wished delinquent to be put at their bar; but believe
after all, it more than the introduction Of the
common French interjection I" bah!' which signifies
dissent. The word is SO sonorous, that twenty or
thirty men can make very pretty uproar, by dill
gent use Oft
You will ask Whit the speaker says to these inter-
ruptions! He says g order! RDER!'-and there the
matter ends. shall say nothing against these prac-
tees, for do not believe they essentially effect the
interests Of the country, and Fnse used to tell his
wife, when she got in pet-'' Sch,cear, my dear-do
schDear little, it will do you good.' it may be
lief to to break out occasionally in these vocal
expressions Of feeling especially to those who cannot
very conveniently to themselves, say any thing else.
No business of importance was done the night paid
my first visit, although discussion took place on
one or two financial points. Lord Althorpe spoke for
few minutes and in manner so hesitang and pain
full that surprised at the respectful attention of
the House. But was told he has its ear, fiom the
circumstance of its having faith in his into nlions and
from conviction that, although he has hard work to
get at it, he has really fund of useful and precise in-
formation. He is Of the most laboured and per-
picked speakers have heard attempt to address
deberative body. Mr.. Peel said few words in re-
ply, sufficient to give idea Of his manner; though
! have since frequently heard him more important
occasions.
The voice Of Mr.. Peel is pleasant and we'll modulat-
ed; he speaks with facility, though in slightly formal
manner. and with measured accentuation that some.
times betrays him into false prosody, fault that is
very common with all but the gifted few in elocution