The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-09-22

Getting Q new parliament in business
shape is a somewhat complicated pro-
cess. Modern usage and ancient custom
jostle each other continually. and con-
trasts as striking as those between the
gaudy grandeur of the dress of the yeo-
men of the guard and the modern attire
of the new mem bers of the commons are
met with on every hand.
Though the house Of commons did not
meet for its first session the Other day
until o'clock IN the afternoon, many
mem bers appeared hours earlier in order
to secure coveted seats, for the first corners
have the choice of places. There are no
desks in the halls Of parliament. and the
seats resemble comfortably upholstered
church pews. Up to q few years ago the
member used to designate the seats they
chose to occupy during the season by
placing their mats in them, but this re-
suited in such havoc Of headgear-all of
the members wear top" nats-that now
the that trick" is no longer resorted to.
The present custom is for the members
to hang large placards bearing their
names on tho backs Of the desired
benches. Mr.. Gladstone's favorite seat
used to be the only one held sacred and
he might come as late as he pleased and
find it reserved tor him. The first to
arrive this year was Mr.. Ernest Hatch,
the member for Gorton, who appeared
upon the scene at o'clock in the morn
ing and thus broke all records.
By O'Clock the fires were kindlsd in
the cooks quarters down below, and the
walters in the livery of their Office began
to make ready for furnishing breakfast to
the newly fedged M. Prs. little later
the yeomen of the guard, IN ultra-Sulli-
vauesque costumes, marched through the
echoing corridors of the house OF lords,
descended through trap doors to the eel
Iars-to the great annoyance of the
ancient spiders there-and hurried about
for forty minutes probing at suspicious
looking rarrels and tnrhing over dusty
boxes in their search for explosives. For
though Guy Fawkes has been dust and the
gunpowder plot history for upward OF
three centuries. these relocated servi-
tors still continue their fruitless quest
year after year.
The first days business of both houses
was, as usual, of the most formal charac-
ter and followed the same customs which
have prevailed almost since the days of
Crom we'll. In the house OF lords the
queen is represented by five scarlet-robed
com m issioners. who sit on form be-
tween the throne and the woolsack; and
at the outset the lord chancellor. as tn cir
president, commands the usher of the
Black Rod. whose insignia of Office is all
that its name implies. and is surmourted
with q golden lion. to proceed and desire
the immediate attendance Of the commons
IN the upper chamber to hear the COM
mission read.
When the lower house arrives the lord
chancellor, producing his glasses and q
roll of paper simultaneously. informs
| them that the peers have been authorized
| by letters patent under the Great Seal to
do all things necessary IN the queen 9
name. After the letters patent have been
read his lordship intimstes that as soon
as the legislators have been sworn her
majesty will declare why parliament has
necessary that a speaker should BIZ chos-
en-, 1.-THE gentlemen of the house of COM
mons are to proceed at once to the APP
| pointmsnt Of some person, who shall pre-