Morning journal and courier., 1881-02-26

u
lows Mr.. Gladstone's speech in the House of
Commons after the removal of the Home
Rule members on Feb. 3: "The Premier's
effort was worthy of his best days. His
speech, perfectly balanced in all its parts,
| was made impressive by all the art of the
| accomplished orator. Barely has the musical
voice of this old man eloquent been more
exquisitely modulated, his persuasive power
exerted to better effect, or his impassioned
outbursts more powerful to replace criticism
| by admiration. The house listened in pro-
found silence and with strained regard, save
when, from both sides, stentorian cheers
rang out, giving the practiced speaker time
| to arrange another tour de force.
| 1t seemed as though there were but
one mind in the crowded assembly
| as Mr.. Gladstone enlarged upon the precious
boon of true liberty of speech, and the un-
equalled responsibilities that rest upon the
British House of Commons as he insisted
upon the consequent value of the Houses
time and the power for mischief of those
who would obstruct its action as he point
ed out that sixth of the session had gone
with scarcely anything to show for it, and
argued that, though the quality of speech
must not be questioned, an absolute need ex-
lists under present circumstances to limit its
quantity. Members were agreed, too, when
the orator paid a warm tribute to the oppo-
sition for their patriotic conduct, while
as he expressed his gratitude to the
Speaker loud and long continued cheers burst
forth. How the House followed Mr.. Glad
stone in his remarks upon the nature of re-
cent obstruction and its origin in minority
of purely Irish members is easily imagined.
but hardly can the sensation be estimated
which arose when the Premier asked, What
man of spirit is there SO low as to come here
and sit as the simulacrum of legislator p or
when he protested that the House stood on
the verge of Just ridicule, disgrace and con-
IL, <Nf E,,ac
was worthy of all that had gone before the
art especially which suggested that, as the
speakers lease of life almost run, he had
little prospective interest in Parliamentary
efficiency being in its way consummate."
ATerribly Strict General.
From the ST. James Gazette
General Clinchant, the present military
governor of Paris, was terribly strict in the
Franco German war. Having the command
of raw levies, inclined to be insubordlnate,
he resolved to show them promptly that he
was their master. Once he issued stringent
order against robbing fruit and vegetables
from the fields and gardens of the peasants in
the Loire valley. A few days afterward
couple of Zouaves stole out of camp by night
and gathered basketful of potatoes. These
two soldiers happened to be veterans who
had served in the Italian war, and they were
brave fellows much liked by their colonel;
OUT Gul5 Ou4y ultsu0 bACA OhOASO "OA0S AAA VIZ
generals eyes for - said he, 'if old sol
diers set the example of disobedience, how
can we expect the young ones to obey 7" so
the two Zouaves were shot. On another oc-
casion three young soldiers took it into their
heads to go out of camp without leave on a
Sunday, in order to dine with some friends
who lived in the neighborhood. They re-
turned in time for tattoo, thinking probably
they had committed only yenal offence;
they were shot the next morning.
General Clinchant had issued orders that
on the march no soldier was to climb into
the ambulance vans or store-wagons unless
certified lame or i'll by the army surgeons.
The reason of this order was that a number
of lazy soldiers used always to swarm on to
the wagons in order to get lift instead of
marching. One day youngster who was IN
perfect health clambered inside van, and
was discovered there by a sergeant who Or
dered him to get out. The soldier al1ghted,
but, determined to have his drive, he slit
open his boot and inflicted slight cut on his
foot, to make believe that he had gone lame.
A corporal saw him. and by and by the lad
was reported for the double offence of DISC
bedience and malingering. When he had
been court-martialled, the general gave him
chance of his life by calling upon him to con-
fess that the injury to his foot was self in
ficted but the foolish fellow, thinking to
save himself by lie, maintained stoutly
that he had gone lame by stepping on a
flint He was accordingly handed over to
the provost marshal and shot.