The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1884-04-18
TIE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
AN AMERICAN MINISTER'S LOOK AT
THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.
Pen Pictures of The Most Distin-
guiShcd English Politicians Mt a
Session OF the Lower House.

Rev Robert Collyer in a London let
Ter to the Chicago Tribune, says: This
chapcl-loolling room--is most oddly and
inconvenicntly arranged for the purposes
of legislative body. 1t has long rows
of berches running lengthwisc the hall,
and on these the members sit. There
are no convencnces for books. papers or
writing. In instances during the debate
on the vote of censurc and which it is
my intention to describe, Mr.. Gladstone
wrote on "blotting pads" resting on his
knees, as did also Sir Stafford Northcote
and others. During Mr.. Goschen's speech
he constantly stopped down to get his
MS notes from his hat which was on the
floor Just before him.
1t was we'll known that on this night
was to be probably the greatest debate Of
the session, described by the prime min
lister as "historic dcbate,n and every
inch of room. except in the peers gal
lery was filed. The Prince of Wales,
who very seldom goes to the house of
commons, had sent word he would be
present. and seats were provided in the
distinguished visitors gallery" for his
royal highness and his attendants.
Through the active courtesy of a right
honorable member, the speaker sent me
admission for the same gallery. and, on
the other side of a low rail, | sat
next the royal prince and near to
NJ. Clcmenceau. | was much interested
during the entire debate in the apt and
often very witty comments of the prince
upon the speakers and speeches, and in
watching the intelligent, black, fiery ewes
OF the great French radical. One might
have known Clemcmccau was n French
man-certainIy not an Englishman-by
his frequent struggling of his shoulders
and his lavish use of gestures. | did
not go into the House till after the din
ncr hour, and till just as it was filing up.
About o o'clock the binding was packed
full in every part, the ladies in their high
gallery, behind the bars, and to me the
sight was really comical About one
half of the gentlemen in the building
were in evening dress and many of the
young lords were in very full evening
dress-in short, in the dress of 'mashcrs, :"
with very low white waistcoats. The
Prince of Wales was in evening dress of
the most exquisite texture and cut. The
prince has a name for being always most
appropriately attired.
Mr.. Gladstone looks carcworn. His
face had an expires sion OF trouble and
anxiety have never before seen it wear
He oils upon the bench. never sitting
upright. He was restless to degree
all through the debate and. when not
writing or moving about h. was playing
with bits of paper between thumb and
fingers. harrington, who sat next
to the premier, was dressed in a
dark morning suit, and was "sprawled
out upon the bench, with his
hat half over his eyes during all
the evening when not addressing
the house On the ministerial benches
were Mr.. Fawcett, the blind postmaster
general, with his splendid, amiablc, in
tent face, partly hid by his enormous blue
spectac,es; Sir William IIarcourt sat
erect with high and mighty micn. 1t is
quito likely that Sir William has no more
VANITY than other men, but he does man
age to make an impression contrary to
this. lie is one of the most brilliant
speakers | have ever heard in any part of
the world. He has Il powerful physique,
kingly bearing, and would be a most
impressive personality and a strikingly
handsome man were it not for a certain
indefnable peacockish air and expression
Mr.. Chamberlain was in evening dress,
with his accustomed love'y little but
tonholc' boquet in his coat, and locking
for all the world as trim rs brand new
yacht Just rugged for trial trip. Mr.
Chamberlain is as keen and trim of mind
rs he is in appearance. Back of the min
isterial benches sat Mr.. Forster and Mr.
Goschen. The latter is scholarly looking,
and is regarded as one of the most inter
esting and 'meatyn speakers in the house
He prepares what he has to say with great
care and always brings something fresh to
the feast. He is in this sense the most
''original" of the political speakers of the
country. He is listened to with respect
and interest, and his speeches are read
by all classes, as they are sure they
will get that which has been thoroughly
thought out Mr.. Forster sat with his
head in his hands most of the time. and
looked as if he were tired of the discus
sion and wanted to go to sleep. lie is a
great angular, awkward body, who might
be taken in America as just arrived from
Southern Indiana. His tan-coored hair
and beard are unkempt and he gives one
the impression that he is lion and a
lamb, or one of the great Alps and an
Italian flower garden rolled into one. He
is as rugged as a rock bound coast He
walks with unmeasured, unprecise step,
and has somewhat the motion of an Gle.
plant.
On the front opposition the bench the
most remarkable face is that of Mr. Glib
son. Next to Mr.. Chamberlain is the
youngest-lookin man for his years in the
house. He has a clean-shaven face and
snow-white hair, and the delicate com.
plexion Of a youth of 90 He is quick
moving and as spry and alert as lad
And what may | say of Sir Stafford
Northcote? l could not damn even with
faint praise. lie was ordained from all
eternity to be saved. He looks like d
good man, and he is a good man But
the same benefcent power that made him
good certainly never did orduin thai
he should be the leader of great politi
cal party. In this case, therefore. there
has been some breaking away from the
order of nature. He did look and seen