Litchfield enquirer., 1867-05-23
WHOLE NO. s24a.
PLEASANT EXTRACTS.
THE ENGLISH HOUSE OF COMMONS.

l THE ENGLISH HOUSE OF COMMONS.
 The House of Commons is composed of 6o5 members. By Q strange oversight the hall will not hold more than half of them i They draw seats for one night, and that af- ter prayers. The drawing consists of the members putting their cards in little groove on the back of the bench Those who cannot get seats below have to go into the gallery, and those who cannot sit have l to stand. The House has literal bar, be- i low which is the Peers seat, and DO Peer 1 of tho realm IS allowed on the floor of the House of Commons. While the House of Lords has gallery for ladies, and its de- bates are attended by ladies of quality as well as others, the House of Commons will not allow a lady within it's walls Above the reporters seat and behind the Speaker, ln caged closet, capable of holding six teen persons, with an iron grating, not un- like nunnery, Is found the gallant accom- modation for ladies connected with the House. Within this den and behind the grating, having obtained written permis- sion from the Speaker, which is regarded as great privilege, ladies sit and hear the de- bates although they are invisible to the de- baters. The reason given for this custom is omnipotent in this country-it is an old custom. The great hall of William Rufus, known as Westminster Hall, in which the mightiest events of the nation have trans pired, is now only a vestibule to the House of Commons.
 The Speaker embodies the dignity of the House, He Is chosen for life. He usually serves for about six years, then takes pen sion and goes into the House of Lords. He 1 has a salary of $35. 900 per annum. He oc- cupies sumptuous house. most magnif- gently furnished at the expense of the na- 1 tion. The plate belonging to the house with which he gives ceremonial dinners cost the nation s;950000 Every night, on the opening of the House. crowds assemble to witness the procession from his house to the chair. The Speaker wears his wig and robes. The huge mace, gold gilt, as much as 8 man can lift, is borne before him. The state sword, double handed, after the fash ion of Richard of lion heart, over six feet long, gilt scabbard and jeweled hilt, is car ried by the sword bearer. A man behind holding his train, and chaplain in full rig completes the procession. 4 bedizened in- dividual precedes the party, crying out 70 yez o veg make way for the honorable Speaker P All fall back and uncover while he enters and takes his seat. Few are pres ent at prayers. There is an understanding that no business shall be done for the first half hour. This gives time for prayers in- side and talk out Members sit with their hats on unless they address the chair or move from their seats. An outsider has no chance to speak The ministerial leader on one side and the leader of the opposition on the other, send list to the Speaker each evening. No other member will be seen.
 The division of the House is very curious. It operates frequently like snap judgment. 4 call is made for division. A three-min- ute glass in front of the Speaker is immedi- ately turned When the sands run out the doors are closed, and no one is admitted un til the vote is taken. Members are in all sorts of places-in the library, in the smok rooms To reach these absent ones, and get them in the House within three min utes, is often a difficult task There are thirty-six bells leading from the House of Commons to all parts of the great house, Immediately on the call for division these bells are rung. Whippers in are busy and men scramble from all imaginary places to get inside the House before the three min utes expire. The rule is memorable. The doors are closed promptly on the second.- The Queen herself could not get in. Men file out from different ends of the room, go through different passages, have their names written twice, and come back by diff. ferent doors.
 The speaking in the House is as bad as can be imagined. The utterances indis- tinct, the hesitation is painful, and such a thing as oratory is unknown. Gladstone IS the best speaker in the House. He tall slim, pleasant looking man, with ringing voice. But he stands close to the table, grasps 1t with both hands and teeters on his toes while he speaks. Disraei has good voice, but is slow and prosy on ordinary oc- casions. He is a small, dark complexioned Jewish looking man, seldoms looks anybody in the face, and glides rather than walks in- to his seat, as if he did not wish you to know he had come. John Bright is short, thick set, chubby-looIing Englishman, who leads the democracy, and with the people is the most popular orator in England. He always sits on the Liberal side, but below the gangway, which indicates that he is at liberty to vote with or against the Liberals as he pleases. The reporters seat is behind the Speaker The men occupy the gallery end they are relieved every ten minutes by new reporters No man beside them is al- lowed to make pencil note, even in the House. Vigilant eyes are upon every conner. If a man takes pencil out to make mark or write in book, he is instantly warned to desist or he will be removed from the House.-Cor. Boston Jou7nal.~
 l How TO CLEAN RTRRONs Ns-Wet the ribbon