The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-23
"BRACERS" IN PARLIAMENT.
The Mystery of MIR. GIadstone,s
Flask still UnsOIved.
From the London Mail.

AOAiA 1AAE 1%OuuOl Mall.
The House of Commons is a very tenn
perate assembly as far as intoxicating
liquors are concerned. but, nevertheless
there is a very frequent and steady de-
mand for pick-me-ups during every ses-
sion of parliament.
As rule, there are three occasions in
the life OF parliamentary man when he
requires the Dutch courage" which AL
cohohc pick-me-ups are designed to sun
py-the first, when, as new member he
timidIy advances up the floor of Che E5onse
TO take the oath and his seat. the second
Wheh ne rises to make his maiden speech
ana the thlrd when he retires from the
f1ouse INTO the cold shades of oblivion.
Inc pick-me-ups of parliament are NOT
an compounded of intoxicating liquors.
Each member has his own pet pick-me-up
and sometimes it takes the form of an in
nocent lemon squash. Mr. Jesse Ceilings
always fortifies himself with one of these
COOLING drinks when he intends TO make a
speech. strong soda and lemon cools
his brain, settles his stomach. and puts
him into fit and proper mood for par
liamentary warfare.
In fact the House of Commons is so
much impressed with the Importance Of
temperance that it is contrary 10 the
ing speech to drink anything stronger
than water. This rue-teetotalIers will
be sorry to hear-is more honored in the
breach than the observance From the
prime minister downwards it is broken
with unfailing regularity.
When Mr.. Gladstone was in the House
of Commons he was The principal offender
In this respect. Whenever he intended
to make a big speech he would produce
from the recesses of his capacious pock-
cts a small glass bottle with wooden
stopper filed with a mysterious compound
looking like vaseline or bears grease. As
soon as this toilet-looklpg article appeared
everybody knew thal the G. O. NJ was
in fighting form. For in the "pomatum
pot'-as il was aptly called-was a mys-
terious pick-me-up for .renovating the
voice and strengthening the lungs.
What was it? Nobody knows to this
day. Mrs. Gladstone used TO prepare
il with her own hands every time "Wil-
liam" wanted TO make a big speech. It
was believed to be a connection Of sherry
eggs and honey, but whatever the ingre-
dents. they proved q splendid pick-me-up
for Mr. Gladstone. On this lubricant he
could speak for hours al a stretch. Every
front benchman has his own peculiar
pick-ne-up Sir William Harcourt derives
strength and inspiration from little light
claret, Mr.. John Morley finds a tumbler
of dry sherry an excellent stjmulant for
the voice and the Imagination while, Mr.
Asquith contents himself with a sip Of
distilled water.
The late Lord .Peaconsfield used to con-
sumo bottle of '4s port on the occasion
of a great ora torical effort Just before
taking his seat in the House he would
rush off TO the refreshment bar, drink
half a bottle of his faVorite brand, and
then return 70 the bar at the conclusion of
his speech 70 finish the bottle. The late
Lord Randolph Churchill on the other
hand, fortified himself with big glass Of
brandy and soda from which he drank
copiousy during the progress of an i'm
portsnt speech.
The favorite pick-me-up of the Irish and
Scotch members is whisky and water.
on this stimulating fluid they can crate
with wonderful vitality. This beverage
on one occasion cauged a scene IN the
House which has not yet been forgotten
After dining well and wisely the late