New-York tribune., 1880-10-03
"BLACK ROD" ~ THE HOUSE OF
COMMONS
London Letter to The CardiG Ttmes.

London Letter 10 The CardtG Times
While Mr.. Baxter is overhauilng the useless
forms and ceremonies of Parliament, he should not
omit that which clings around the bestowai by
commission of the Royal Assent on Bills that nave
passed both Houses. 1t would be difficult to con-
ceye ANYTHING more ridiculous or grotesque than
this performance, which is always seen at its
fullest bloom at the time of the ProrogatlOn. vi
course. it Is not only then that it takes place.
Toward the end of the session the business OF the
House of Commons is frequently Interrupted Dy
the appearance of Black Rod, with summons to
the Commons to proceed to tho other House to
hear the Commission read. Whatever business
may be in progress it must hereupon instantly
bers may or need not follow him, rs they please
But the Mace and the Sergeant Arms must
go, and till these and the Speaker return no hus.
ness can be transacted. remember one time last
session when Mr.. Gladstone was making an import
ant speech and was just in the midst of an eloquent
passage the three raps heard at the door, the
doorkeeper came forward and IN stentoran voice
announced BLACK Rod!" Mr.. Gladstone amid
a litter from the Conservatives delighted at his
being checked in whatever way, resumed his seat
with sentence yet unfinished.
On Tuesday nothing more important than notice
of motion that Mr. Corst was about to give was lost
to the world by the untimeiy arrival or BLACK
Rod He was due at two o'clock, and as that
hour approached there was feverish anxiety on the
part of members desiring to make the most of this
last opportunity of advertising themselves.
few minutes after there was movement at
the Bar which announced that the end was very
near The Sergeant-at-Arms left the chair and
walked toward the door. Across the lobby the lean
figure OF Black Rod could be seen advancing. AS
ne issued from the corridor the door OF the House OF
Commons shut In his face, whereupon he raped
three solemn raps. little wicket in the gate was
opened by the Sergeant-at-Arms, who asked, w no
is there I" The response quickly came back BLACK
Rod at which the Sergeant-at-Arms exhibited a
due amount of SURPRISE ordered the door 10 Dc un-
boted and Black Rod entered 1t was then that the
oorkeeper walked In with raPld STEP Rnd ana t
torian cry Amid solemn silence Black Rod ad-
vanced toward the table carefully counting his
steps, and bowing low as each third of the distance
was accomplished.
General KnoIys, the present holder of the impor-
tant office, Is a wonderful old man.. lie was born
three years before the century, and with his four
score and three makes Mr.. Gladstone seem quite a
youth and Lord BeacOnsheld no more than middle
aged. He is tall, as straight as the black rod he
carries and very little stonter. Dressed IN sombre
black, the Court being just now In mourning. he
realized with singular fidelity ones notion of Don
Quixite out of armor. He is painfully impressed
with the solemnity Of his office and performs its
duties with a pathetic solicltude that sometimes
makes the House laugh. When, three years ago. he
was appointed to the office the difficulty experienced
by him In making dignltied retreat was matter for
much good-natured merriment. 1t Is no easy thing
for an old gentleman Of eighty to walk backwards the
full length Of tho House of Commons under the
GUS gentlemen. At first General Knollys was SO
nervous that he In great danger Of landing on
the benches or in the chair of the Sergeanta
Arms. When by fearfuliy peepng over his shoulder
he at length piloted himself out. the House always
rewarded him with u hearty cheer.
lie Is more successfulnQ In making this strategic
movement to the rear. Possibly he has spent some
OF his declining days In practising what time the
| House Of Commons was In recess. Just when he
| had cot over this difficulty fresh one beset him.
Sir George Boyyer discovered that the General had
| fallen into the habitude of requiring" the
| presence Of honorable members In the House Of
Lords, instead Of desiring the favor" which that
great light OF the Constitution, who recently repre-
| sented Wexford. held to be the correct formula.
At the close OF last session he brought tho matter
| teforo the notice Of the House. and poor General
Knollys, who Is said to 20 to bed for twenty -four
hours after having performed the duties of Black
| Rod so great Is the strain upon him. was faced by
this fresh difficulty, After consultation with high
| authorities It was decided that he should say
deslre," and thus was averted lonly temporarily
we know from Lord Beaconsfed) that conflict be-
! tween the Upper and Lower House which will some
| day shake the Empire to Its centre.
| Black BOD, having made his three oboisances on