Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-09-01
THE uoItsE OF COMMONS.


The following sketch of the British House Of
Commons is from the last Of series of letters
written by HoRAcE GREELEY for the New York
Tribune, entitled Europe Revisited
gave Monday evening 10 the House Of Com
mons, where listened 10 the adjourned Tor ra-
ther, renewed) debate the joint guaranty by
France and England Of the new Turkish Loan
Of $4,000 900, on which the ministry so mar
rowly. escaped defeat on its introduction las,
week. The principal debaiers on this occasion
were Messrs. John Bright and r. II. Gladstone
in opposition, and Mr.. Sergeant Shee in favor
of the measure. Mr. Brigh, is not Huen, speak
er but is a man Of meriIed personal weight
earnest, sensible and practical. He dealt the
join, guaranty hard blows, which were eleverly
parried rather than stopped or returned by Mr..
Shee. Gladstone spoke admirably, 50 far as
manner and expression are regarded, and he is
undoubtedly the most forcble and fanliless ora
tor now in Parliament. IIo showed by citations
OF undeuiable point and coeency that the Wings
out Of power had always claimed and exercised
the right Of opposing just such measures as this,
though they now treat such opposition as vir-
itPhoiaAlpA anu 40 lNihcHS cHSio1eh7
men, on the prerogIiives of the Crown. He
foreibly urged that M single member of Parlia-
ment outside Of the Ministry had ventured TO
defend the policy of this joint guaranty, though
so many had declared that, since the bargain
was made, il must be fulfilled. Several minor
members on either side of the House made
speeches for and against the measure, which,
however. threw little or no additional light up
on il. Ayerments that the Ministry had con-
tracled this joint euaranty-that Turkey must
have the money-that TO reject the guaranty
would be TO break faith with Louis Napoleon
aud incur his resantment-these and man like
them formed the staple of the argument for rat
flying, which the other side answered as well
as they could but under the embarrassment Of
not being able to say what they really meant
ave loalhe alike the War and Palmerston,
''and would gladly be rid of them both."-
Hence their aguments seemed like spent arrows,
sersng to prove that the joint guaranty was
most irnproyidenl and unwise, but not that it
could now be set aside in consistency with the
requirements of good faith and sound policy
II early became evident that the motley opposi-
tion did not venture to turn ont the Ministry on
this question, and that the House would not a.
gain be divided upon it. The debaters were
addressing the British public-noI trying to gain
voters in the House.
Dsraali sat on the front bench of the Tory
side, dark-leaiured and hawk-eyed, watching
the course of debate intently, but saying moth
ing Lords Palmcrsion and John Russell were
visible on the Ministerial benches, but likewise
silent through the evening. Nineveh Layard
spoke in favor of the guaranty, windily and moi
cool. This man has more reputation than he
can mainiaiu. On lhe~s hole judged that the
better order Of speaking in the House of Com
mons surpasses than which may be heard in oul
House Of Representalives-is more direct, sub
slanlial and TO the point; while the average a
bilily eyinced in the speaking here is quite be-
low that manifested in Congress. had beer
misled into the notion that decided bores are
regularly coughed down when they undertake
to enlighten the House but saw and heard
half dozen of them try il, and the remedy wa'
never once applied. Yet | cannot realise tina
the provocaiion could well be greater.
The hall of the House Of Commons is hardl,
! so large as that of our House at Washington
> though the members are nearly thrice as nu
} merous-65s against 234. 1t is nowise circu
lar in form, as our hall is, bui an oblong square
Q with the ridculouslly wieged Speaker on
raised chair at one end and the equally carica
0 tured Clerk at desk before him. The Min
y isterial Members sit generally on the Speaker