The Irish standard., 1903-08-29
race and military renown.

race and military renown. Lord
Methuen has been defeated by the
Beers and lies a prisoner and wound
ed in their hands," continued the min
lister of war. This was catastrophe,
indeed. The British members, with Il
chivalrous instinct of pity for their
general in misfortune, if not in dis
grace, took off their hats. Many Of
them groaned aloud in their SORROW.
At the same moment Il cheer OF eXult;l-
ton rose from the Irish benches. Only
q few of the Nationalist took part in
the shout, and it lasted not more than
q second. But it was a horribly Earring
note. 1t made the British members
vince as if they had been struck across
the face with a whip. Yet they re-
ceived it with amazing self-control A
cry of rage rose to the lips of some, but
it was Instantly smothered, and they
turned to listen in silence to the re-
mainder of the humiliating story the
minister for war had to tell. In any
other assembly in the world such an
incident would have provoked Il tumu-
tuous scene. bringing to the surface all
the most violent passions of man.
Happily the Irish party has the saw
ing quality of humor and everywhere
that always covers multitude of sins.
If the Nationalists. at times, rub the
wrong way the British members, they
more often amuse them. Human ma
ture is disposed to forgive much that
Is objectionable in those who make it
laugh. The Irish party is never dull.
The Irish party is always interesting.
CATER all'-such is the comment of the
average British representltive-'wlla
q dreary place the British House of
Commons would he without the Irish"
1t is "am Irish night in the House
of Commons. Mark the crowded APP
pearlnce of the chamber. Every seat
on the floor is occupied. The galleries
and passages are also filled with men,
bers. Am Irish night-especially when
a burning subject is under debates
always pregnant with the most in
teresting and unexpected of possibfli-
ties. No one can tell what it may
bring forth. 1t is certain to be marked
by the most eloquent or the most dar-
ing of speeches. There may he
startling defiance of the speakers au-
thority; or a fierce collision between
members Everyone is ON the tip-toe
of expectation. Now prominent men,
Der of the Irish party arises to speak.
Listen to that fierce shout OF welcome
that comes from the Threats Of the
men on the benches around him! For
volume. for intensity, for fierceness. for
prolongaton, no shout like the Irish
shout is heard in the House of Com
monS:-
Have you hearkened the eagle scream
over the sea?
Have YOU hearkened tile breaker beat
under your lea?
A something between the wild waves
III Lllell pay,
And the kingly birds scream is the
Irish Hurrah!
The debate throughout is rich in all
the elements of interest and excite
ment. Discussions on general subjects
in the House Of Commons. too often are
academic and remote. But there are
always in an Irish debate earlHstncss.
reality, life, and the closest and most
dramatic touch with the very hour.
Yet over it all llovcrs the spirit of hui
NOR. which, anonymously enough,
sometimes, relieves it's strrnuOuSness
with light touches of comedy. y dull
place. indeed. would be the House of
Commons were ii not for the Irish
representatives.