The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-05-28
SIDE SHOWS IN PARLIAMENT.
Ceremonies in the House of Lords that
Make Irreverent Spectators Grin.
c.,,-soT - Al. Date, Held

Ceremonies in the House of Lords that
Make Irreverent Spectators Grin.
Special TO the Boston Herald
LONDON, May PA diverting farce was
enacted in the House of Lords the other
night. 1t was not a new affair; it was an
old comedy adapted to the occasion. When
a new peer is introduced to the Upper House
the comedy is performed, and the new lord
becomes the chief actor in it. He is the
leading figure in a function quite
as amusing as the "Ceremonie
Turuue" in "Le Bourgeoise Gentilhomme,"
as they give, it at the Coincide Fran
case. Puzzled by the novel and rather IN
comfortable position in which he finds him
self. confused by the gesticulations, which
ore almost as elaborate as a code of army
signals. and which are arranged and timed
with mathematical accuracy; conscious
that he looks ridiculous in his new robes,
and vainly trying to remember his cues in
the elaborate exercise, the new nobleman
cuts a figure more comical than impressive,
and the spectators of the scene are not
likely to be seized with sense of the dig
nity of the ancient and hereditary house,
and one of its venerable rites.
The newly made peer is introduced to the
carved and gilded chamber by two of his
brother peers, escorted by functionary
as a master of ceremonies and prompter. 1t
is a curious sight, indeed, this first parlia-
mentary entrance of a new peer. 1t is
like nothing in the world so much as O scene
from a Gilbert and Sullivan opera The
new lord enters the House escorted by
couple of old lords. The three men are
arrayed in their gorgeous robes of ermine
and scarlet, which are worn only on occa-
sions of ceremonies, and they march and
countermarch, and bow. and lift their hats
like the lords in 'Iolanthe." The Garter
king-at-arms strutting in an heraldic dress,
has charge of the proceedings. and he puts
the three lords through their PAGES with all
the energy and solemnity of drill sergeant.
You see the trio backing and filing, scraping
and gesticulating; you hear them mumbllng
some unintelligible liturgy, and by and by,
after backing away from the serene pres
ence of the bewigged lord chancellor, they
retire from the chamber, and, in an djoin-
ing apart ment divest themselves Of their
finery, return to the House, and take their
seats in everyday garb.
As the spectacle thus afforded is at any
time amusing, but when-as it happened the
other day-the new peer is as deaf as post,
and the Garter king-at-arms cannot prompt
him soto voce, but is compelled to shout
his directions in loud voice, the affair
becomes ludicrous, and it is difficult for the
spectators to restrain their laughter. 1t was
the deafness of the latest acquisition to the
roll of British peers that caused the usual
comedy to be turned into roaring farce
the other day. Sir William Ventris Field.
who has been for many years judge of the
high court, was recently elevated to the
peerage. His deafness drove him from the
bench. His deafness and his utter lack of
Sduoire fdtre caused the ceremony attend
ing his admission to the House of Lords to
be as funny as a LeCer de ridedu at the Cri-
e. -.
The lord chancellor, robed and wigged,
sat solemnly on the wool sack andsblinked
and bowed at the queer procession that a1-
vanced toward him. The lord chief Justice
of England and Baron Bramwell were the
spoons rs of the new peer, Lord Field. Lord
Coleridge is a dignified, aristocratic looking
man. with fine manners and cultured
voice. Lord Bramwell is bluff, burly
Briton, whose oratorical efforts are as mu-
steal as the barking of bulldog, and whose
appearance is that of the typical Lond IN
tradesman. He is an obstinate old gentle
man, and he has not the slightest notion of
attempting to conceal his opinions on any
subject. When he marched up the
House with Lord Coleridge and Lord
cession and tucked his scarlet-and-
ermine robe under his arm, to the
dismay of the master of ceremonies in the
embroidered tabard. Lord Field did not
know what to do, and, although Lord
Bramwell knew well enough, he did not ap-
pear inclined to do it. There is nothing
about Baron Bramwell that suggests an APP
probation of the picturesque. Lord Cole
ridge, an old hand at these ceremonies,
went through the affair IN his style, but his
two companions were continually prodded
by the Garter king arms, and they had
continually to be prompted by that official,
who, owing to the deafness of the new
conner, had to shout his commands.
Turn here" cried the Garter king-at-
arms. mo, not that way; the other way
Stop. Bow to the lord chancellor. Advance.
Step backward. Sit down. Take off your
hats. Put on your hats Rise and bow,
lifting your hats three times Now sit
down.
Thus the word of command was cried
aloud, while the usually grave and reverend
seigniors of the upper House smiled blandly
and the spectators grinned and Uttered.
1t was perfectly clear that Lord Field
had not studied his part, for when the
ceremonies were concluded and he retired
to remove his robes the Garter king-at-
arms had to start hun away by main force.
Returning to the House in the ordinary
costume of the English gentleman. the new
conner wandered over to the lord chancellor
and sat down beside him on the wool sack,
while the lord chancellor shouted into his
ear that the right side of the House was the
government side and the left the opposition.
Then the new peer, uncertain what to do
next, and evidently uncertain of his politi-
cal opinions, saunSered down the floor,
looking first at one side and then at
the other, and finally. to the amusement of
everybody, he selected comfortable seat
on the front opposition bench, position
always reserved for the leaders of the
outs" as the front bench on the other side
is always reserved for cabinet ministers.
From this position Lord Field had to be
tugged by his sponsor, Lord Bramwell, who
conducted him to a less conspicuous seat.
Then the droll show was over, and the spec
tators retired, wondering why men who are
to be made peers do not take the trouble to
inform themselves of the simplest customs
OF the House in which they are, for one day
at least, to be very conspicuous.
English Reserve.
Dumas the elder often laughed at En-
glish stiffness and reserve, says the New