Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-02-03
f~AsLIAakEfARy mAsEEns,
The History Of the EDgiIsh Par.
Hament Ab0unds in Rvi.
dencc Of Rudenens.
London Time.

There was a time when manners
were very bad in the English Parlia-
ment, but this was when Parliament
had not yet established its spprem.
acys and 1t is worth remarking
that manners improved from
the time when Parliament grew
supreme, and when it came to be re-
cognized that this supremacy could
only be maintained it on many great
questions both parties acted in con-
cert. Pepys, writing on the 18th of
December, 1866. describes a queer
scene which he witpessed in the House
Of Lords. MY Lord Buckingham
leaning rudely over my Lord Marquis
Of Dorchester, my Lord Dorchester
removed his elbow. The Duke asked
whether he was uneasy. Dorchester
replied yes, and that the Duke burst
not do this if he we're anywhere else.
Buckingham replied yes he would,
and that he were a better mar than
himself. Dorchester said hat be lied.
With this Buckingham struck off his
hat, took him by his periwigR and
pulled aside and held him" There is
nothing so bad as this in the Parlia.
mentary annals of the Georgian era
Chatham is said to have been more
feared than any orator Of his time, but
his invectiye was carefully measured.
Speaking of Newcastle, then Prime
Minister, he once asked whether Par
lament sat only to register the edicts
of one too powerful subject? Here.
upon Newcastle is reported to have
been frightened almost out of his wits.
But this was fair fighting. There was
no imputation on Chatham's part of
ignOble motive he simply accused his
adversary Of the splendid sin of am
bition.
Our Parliamentary history abounds
with encounters Of this sort, in which
the thrusts delivered, whether in earn.
est or in jest, we're often hard, but
always bestowed according to lair
rules, and with an absence of that
~implacable animus which leaves
combatants enemies when the
fight is over. Everybody knows
we'll the story of Sir Robert
Walpole having a dispute with Pulte
ney about a quotation from Horace
The minister bet a guinea that his
own version was right; a Horace"
was sent for and Sir Robert, proving
to be wrong threw down a guinea,
which Pulteney pocketed with the
remark that it wa the only money
ever paid by a minister which a mem
Der could accept without shame. The
words were not in the best taste per
haps; but how English the whole scene
was, and how suggestive of good
humored spafring with the gloves onl
Mingling with the chronicles of Par.
lismentary jousts, however, are many
stories of downright kindliness and
chivalry in debate, upon which
students of Parliamentary his
tory must always dwell with
a sincere pleasure. Coming
to recent times, nothing could have
been better than Mr.. Disraeli's pane.
gyric on Golden after the latter's
death, or than Mr.. Gladstone's refer>
enee in Parliament to the death Of
Lady Beacons6eld. On this occasion
the Liberal leader quoted the words,
stunt lacrym@ rerum let mentum NOR
Italia tangunt," which Fox had also
quoted in 1905 during Pitts last illness,
refusing at the same time Though not
aware that his great rival was actually
dyiDg) to support an amendment to
the address which was going to be
moved by Lord Henry Petty.
Mr.. Disraeli was not long in repay
ing Mr.. Gladstone's generous tribute
OF respect, for he alluded to him as
the most eminent member of this
House." and the same compliment
was paid on another occasion to the
present Premier by the present Lord
Derby. then Lord Stanley, who said
that ION whatever points they might
differ, every one would recognize the
right honorable gentleman to be one
OF the greatest orators England had
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