Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-07-23

ably with the Parliamentary dignity of the House
OF Commons. This impression soon give way
to one less fattering The great American
question being disposed Of, the House went into
Committee upon the Pension bi and instantly
a scene Of confusion ensued that beggars the
power of description. 1t was confusion worse
confounded. The Speaker crying out at the top
of his voice, "orter," ''order, the members
rushing to and fro through the Hall. and appa-
rently from the loud buzzing sound to be all
talking at the same time, and amidst this scene
of anarchy the shrill voice of Mr.. Crogan the
member from Dublin, could occasionally be
heard appealing to the House to make some pro-
vision for the widows and orphans of the heroes
who fell in the Crimean war. 1t is a large, un-
wieldy body, and in point of talent l do not
think it can claim any superiority over the A
merican House ofRepresentatives. In the House
OF Lords, there is less confusion, butwhilst their
proceedings are characterized by high degree
OF Parliamentary decoruni. yet the American is
not impressed with that feeling of yeneration
which the American Senate inspired inthe days
| of White, Clay, Calhoun, and Webster. | lis
tened to o number of noble Lords the same
monotonous style, and strict conformity to u
sage distinguishes their manner of speaking, as
! it does everything else peculiar to the aristocra-
cy Of this country. Fashion has passed judg-
ment upon oratorical display, and in obedience
to its edct, reason must be appealed to, aud not
the heart-labor, and not genius, must give the
matter for aspeech-facts must be clothed in no
beauty of expresson-ar must be embel-
lished with none OF the graces Of eloquence, from
an apprehension of destroying their influence
They have adopted an insipid manner OF detail
ing statistics, without blending with them any of
the charm of rounded periods. Through the
courtesy of one of the members, had an oppor-
tunity of going through Westminster Palace or
the new House of Parliament. This immense
and magnificent structure, is the pride of all
Englishmen. 1t fronts on the Thames near q
thousand feet, and covers an area of about nine
acres. 1t is the most colossal pile that has ever
been erected in London. 1t contains, including
committee rooms and state chambers, between
five and six hundred apartments. 1t is in the
Gothic style, and though Englishmen claim it as
the finest specimen of architecture since the e.
rection of Henry tho 7til's Chapel, yet there is
minutcncss of detail in its ornaments, which I
do not think harmonize well with the massive
proportions of the building. The House ofLords
Is 80 feet by 45, and is 40 feet in height. 1t is
ornamented with rich carving. brilliant col
oring and handsome guiding. The light is ad-
mitted to the Hall by twelve lofty windows, fill.
ed with stained glass, representing the Crown
heads of England and Scotland. The body of
the House is of capacity sufficient to accommo-
date upwards of four hundred Lords, spiritual
and temporal. In the centre of the room is the
table and woolsack, and on each side, are five
rows Of benches covered with red leather, plac-
ed on an ascending platforms, appropriated ex-
clusvely for the use of the members. l con-
ceive it Inferior in point of architectural beauty
and elegance of design, to the Senate Chamber
at Washington. In point Of convenience to the
members, there is O decided advantage in favor
of the Senate Chamber. At the south end Of
the Hall stands the Throne-its profuse guiding
and ornate carving, give it, for short time,pe-
culiar attractions, particularly to the tourist of
the Western World who knows but little Of the
splendor of Royalty. The House of Commons,
in point of constructions similar to the House of
Lords, except the absence of the Throne and is of
larger capacity. Near the House of Peers, is
the Painted House, the walls of which are hand
somely frescoed, except two pannels, on which
| it is intended to paint the victories of Waterloo
and Trafalgar. The ceiling is blaze of mag
nifcence, being handsomely and richly guided.
This apartment is designed as reception room
for Her Majesty on visiting the House of Lords.
There are many other apartments of spendor,
among which are the official residences of the
| Speaker, Lord Great Chamberlain, the Usher of
the Black Rod and Librarian. Here, in front Of
Westminster Palace, may be seen the population
of London, in all its varied phases. Here roll
the luxuriant and antique carriages Of the ven
cradle aristocracy and there dash the cabro-
lets Of the young bloods, and yonder the prince
| ly merchant, and at your elbow, and following
you, number of idlers, who are very anxious
to conduct you to see some object of great at
traction, expecting, although you have been
humbugged, to receive few pennies; and hard
by is the poor mendicant, begging every for
eigner for a penny to relieve his sufferings.
Ashort walk brings you to Westminster Abbey.
No person, perhaps, for the first time can enter
Westminster Abbey, without experiencing feel
ings that no previous scene or spot ever inspir-
ed. AS you gaze on this venerable and gor-
geous relic of antiquity, you realize that its SOM
bre grandeur speaks of the past. In its hand
some old chapels, the tourist may linger with
interest among the tombs of England's ancient
kings, whose deeds and history the guide will
take pleasure in narrating Many are buried
here for their heroic deeds, many for their
works of genius, and large number who have
no other pretentions to fame than distinction of
birth, and, it is equally true, that but few sleep
here on account Of their moral worth and vir-
tues. In the Poets corner found the names Of
Gray, Milton, Shakespeare Southey, Goldsmith,
"Rare Ben Jonson," Campbell, and many otl:-
glory around the past history of England; but
the remains of Byron repose not here. Both
st. Paul and Westminster Abbey refused rest
ing place to one of the brightest, though erring,
geniuses that England ever produced. w.
THE LIBERTY OF SPEECH AND TIE PREss.-
The following paragraph is taken from the
speech of Senator Butler, in answer to Mr. Sum-
ner. There is great deal of political philosophy
| in it,
! The liberty of speech and Of the press it
the great conservative element of a republic; is
is to the political what fire is to the material
world--a subservient and atfiuent minister,
when under the control of prudence and intelli-
gence; but when unchecked and unregulated, q
consuming fire. withering and blasting every
thing along its pathway Of ruin. Render free
dom of speech tributary to the proprieties, de-
cences and restraints of social life, and you may
crown it with all the ministries and suprema-
ces OF intellect and liberty; but release it from
them, and it becomes blind and maddened g-
ant of evil, tearing down the bulwarks of social
order, and desecrating the very sanctuary of re-
publican liberty. What would you think of
reckless man who should set fire to his own
house. or should 60 about claiming the privilege
of throwing his fire wherever he could among
the most combustible materials, and say he had
a right to do SO on the ground that he was q
freeman, and could do as he pleased2 Away
with such liberty Liberty that is worth any
thing must be in the harness of the law.
Liberty of speech and the press must have
two restraints. The first is the hqest, which
will always govern class of men who cannot
violate title obligations OF honor decency and
justice. Another restraint upon licentousness
is, that man may speak and publish what he
pleases with a knowledge that he is amenable