Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1857-09-11
q DIV IN IxK sxErcn OF PAR1IA1EST.-TEe

"A PEN AND Xxx SKETCH OF PABLIANENI'--1Le
CRristian Intelligeaeer shas a letter from an
American in London, giving pen and ink sketch
Of Parliament, as follows:
AT 4 o'clock last evening went to visit the
House of Parliament, with Mr. kInnalrd, mem
her from Perth The new buildings are per-
feet wilderness Of Gothic towers groined cell
incs. superb halls, lined with marble statues oil
departed statesmen and warriors. Millions oil
money-enought to endow school IN every par
ish--hayc been lavished on this gorgeous edl-
kffee. As gve reached the door of the House OF
GommoDs, the elegantly dressed doqTkeepef
called out 'tsFhe speaker is in the chair was
shown to a seat in the small Speaker gallery
The hall is superb inornaulent; lot oblong shape,
with rows of green cushioned benches on each
side, and no desks in front of members The
Speaker wears huge wig and gown. The mems
bers, most outlandishly, wear their hats, except
while speaking. The effect is exceedingly bad
| was also surprised at the youthful appearance
of many Of the House; at least n score ofTtiien
seemed likemembcrs of a senior class in college.
A considerably cOud Conversation was carried
on during the debates, and members were walk
ing aboutteontinually.
The speaker of the evening most listened to
was Mr.. Gladstone, of Oxford He is an easy,
nonchalent converser, with NJ elaborate har-
angue, but his style was very attractive. While
he was speaking there was constant cry of
"Hear, hear" which sounded like ''Heh-yeh
-vcF" After him came the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, a graceful, fluent statement maker.
Lord Palmerston pulled off his hat and spoke
in slow. careless tone for half an hour. lie
does not look so old as expected. Sir James
Graham, huge, easy country gentleman, who
sat like a man of leisure in a coffee room. The
only outre and shabby member, in face, figure
and dress, is the Radical Roebuck, of Sheffield.
He has waspiSh petnence IN his tone, and Is
y,
The old heroes, Sir Charles Napier and General
Williams, of Kars attracted much attention.
As a body of men, the House of Commons is
not ms imposing in appearance as our American
Senate. Lord John Russell sat smiling and 81
lent D'Israeli looked sarcastic and sulen. He
is the sharpest debater of them all.
From the House of Commons VIC go by
splendid hall to the House of Lords. Therroom
is the most superb in the Kingdom tits a-blaze
with crimson and gold. As We enter we see
the noble Lord Shaftesbury on the red cushion
by the door. Beside him, that handsome youth
Jul face, under the thick golden hair, belongs to
the Duke of Argyle, the rising hope of Scotch
Presbyterians Old Lord Aberdeen sits next,
in deep reverie. Across the floor, in front of
the "woolSack, walks feebly an old man in
green coat, buff vest, and check trousers, with
short white hair, and that unmistakable turn-up.
nose. As we look at the bent, dccrepid veteran,
it is hard to recognize the once gallant "Harry
Brougham," of the House of Commons. He
sits down by Aberdeen-two antiquities togeth.
er. We hear speeches from Lord Camden, Lord
Granville, and the dashy Duke of Newcastle.
Those magnificent women in yonder gallery
are the wives and daughters of the Peers. do
not know enough of millinery to describe their
"rig" for your lady readers; but it may be some
qualification to American ladies to knowi that
the lace and pearled bonnets on the heads of
the duchesscs and countesses were fully as large
as saucer! Their faccs were generally fair and
brilliant in beauty.
came away from the House of Lords (Which
contains many able and noble charactcrs,) in
nowise converted to belief in hereditary hous-
es of legislation.