The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-11-10
MISCELLANEOUS.

MISCELLANEOUS.
From The Second Series Of " Random Reeoiisetions of
the Lords and Commons"
LAUGHABLE SCENE IN THE HOUSE
OF COMMONS.
In my first series Of this work, gave an
amusing anecdote respecting Mr.. Martin. A
still better remains to be told My only re-
greet is, that no words can convey any idea of
the thing itself. He had been speaking Of the
bad feelings, frequently ending in duels, which
were often engendered in the minds of homo
rable members in consequence of miscon-
ception, not merely Of what was meant, but
often of what was said, by other honorable
gentlemen. "And, Mr.. Spaker," said Mr..
Martin, with that rich Irish brogue which he
retained to the last in as great perfection as if
he had, never heard an Englishman open his
mouth" And, Mr.. SPEAKER, with your per-
mission, will give yourself and the House
a case in point. That case, Mr.. SPEAKER,
occurred to meself. You know, sir, and the
House knows, that was opposed at the last
election for Galway by Dennis O'Sweeny.
Now, Mr.. SPEAKER, said something on the
hustings about Dennis, and by my faith, Den
mis- said something about me. Loud laughter
Well Mr.. SPEAKER, bate Dennis-as the fact
ofmy having the honor Of addressing you, sir,
and honorable gentlemen around me proves
at the poll, and was sure enough, declared
duly elected for Galway Well, sir, after the
election was over, we met in a hotel, and Den
mis- comes up to me, and says, says he, Dick
Martin, (roars Of langhter,) you was after
saying something in your spaach on the hust-
ings about me, which was inconsistent with
the character of gintlemin'
IS Faith, and it's yourself, Dennis, my boy,
Is quite mistaken in that same
80 Pm no such thing said he.
indeed. Dennis, you were though; you
was never more mistaken in all your blessed
lile,' said l.
So Don't you think to humbug me out of
my belief, by any of your nonsense, Dick =
renewed laughter, in which the Speaker
could not refrain from joinng)
Then what was it did say said [.
"' You know that as well as do, said he.
"'By don't,'" said Martin, in his
own unspeakably ludicrous manner.
"Order, order, Mr.. Martini" shouted the
Speaker, as the other Numbered out an OATH
amidst roars of laughter from all parts of the
house.
81 beg pardon, Mr.. SPEAKER, and the pardon
of this honorable House, if | said any thing
improper.
by - you do, though, Dick" said
Dennis.
"Order, order, Mr.. Martin, order, order,"
again sung out the Speaker, his voice being
almost drowned amidst the peals of laughter
which resounded throughout the house.
"Mr. Spaker," said MIR. Martin, with great
simplicity, mingled with wonderful shrewd-
,c. -
self that gave that oath, it was Dennis o.
Sweeny !"
Again was the house convulsed with laugh
ter, and to such an extent were the risible ia
culties of the Speaker affected, that he was
obliged to cover his mouth with the folds of
his gown, while the sides of his ample wig
literally danced about his neck and shoulders,
in the agitation of his head caused by his ex
cessive laughter.
Mr.. Martin resumed-"'U my honor
as a gintlemin, don't know what you NAME
said |.
"sWell them says he, didn't you say
was - need not tell you, Mr.. SPEAKER,
what said he was" observed Mr.. Martin,
suddenly checking himself Here again the
House was convulsed with laughter.
"'Dick !" says he, you must retract.'
"sTll be - if do says |, Mr. Speak
err
Another burst of laughter pealed through
the house, and to such an extent was the
Speaker infected with the universal visibility,
that he was actually unable to call Mr.. Mar
tin to order. The folds of his gown were
again in requisition, with the view, if possible,
of suppressing, by their application to his
mouth, what is called loud laugh. No man
was ever more ready, at all times and in all
circumstances, to uphold the dignity Of the
house by enforcing a uniform decorousness
in the proceedings, than Mr. Manners Sutton,
now Lord Canterbury; but the drollery OF
Mr.. Martins manner, in conjunction with the
oddly OF his matter, would have been too
much for the gravest and most dignified OF
men. The thing was altogether irresistible.
Mr.. Martin, rs soon as order was in some
measure restored, resumed-"'An you won,
retract, Dick says Dennis.
"No, by -"
"Order, order, Mr.. Martini" cried the
Speaker, before Mr.. Martin had uttered what
the right honorable gentleman conceived to be
another oath, and which he therefore wished
to strangle in the berth.