New-York tribune., 1903-05-23

hundred illustrations in the less than six nun
dred pages Several of the portraits are repro
duced on colored plates. Among these is Ho-
garth's sketch of Lord Lovat. made when the
Sootchman his way to stand his trial
for high treason: Hickers familiar painting of
Charles James Fox, seated. with the expansive
buff waistcoat and copously brimmed top hat;
Sir Thomas Lawrence's portrait of Warren
Hastings at the age of eighty-six; the long, sleek
figure of Disraeli by Sir ]. E. NIiais, and G. F.
Watts pantir~ of Gladstone. There are several
caricatures and sketches by Hogarth, John
Wilkes and Lord Melcombe among them. An
amusing cartoon is Gilray's drawing, called
"Uncorking Old Sherry" a slap at Sheridan's
mistrusted impromptu powers There are also
Cruikshanks drawing of a mob attacking
George ITS coach, an engraving after Turner's
painting Of the burning of the Houses of Par
lament in 1884. portraits after Hobein and
Reynolds. and the electioneering card represent
ing the Duke of Newcastle and Lord Holland
SO drawn that they become a jester and the
devil when the card is reversed Added to this
variety of illustration there is a great number
Of photographs of prominent members of our
own day. such as Speaker Gully and the Earl Of
| Rosebery.
Beyond the historical review of the develop
ment of Parliament and the growth Of the con-
stitution. with descriptions Of the noted scenes
and events. the aspects of Parliamentary life
and the business of legislation as it appears
from the surface are set forth topically Thus
coronation ceremonies, famous state trials the
working Of the library wine cellars and kitch-
ems. the clock tower. the press gallery and the
admission Of ladies are treated severally. Cos
tune has played important part in the life
Of Parliament The instinct for ceremonial is
strong among so many historic associations. But
the absurdiues of earlier days have certainly
lost some Of their hold The enormous size Of
the trunk breeches which in Henry Wits time
followed the Plantagenet petticoat robes was
sustained often by artificial distention
So cumbersome were they that special ar
rangements had to be made to relieve the wear
ers of the burden when indoors. In the Har-
leian MS it is stated that "over the seats in the
Parliament house were holes two inches square
in the wall. in which posts were set supporting
a scaffold round the room for the use Of those
who wore great breeches stuffed with hair, like
woOlsacks.'
This structure endured until the reign OF
Elizabeth when the fashion went out. A law
was passed prohibiting the use of baize in
breeches- One prisoner, summoned before the
court for breaking this statute, cleared himself
in a surprising manner
He began to excuse himself of the offence and
endeavoring by little and little to discharge
hlmself or that which he did wear within them
he drew out Of his breeches a pair of sheets
two table cloths. ten napkins, four shirts, a
brush, glass and comb night caps and other
thing of use, saying: Your Highness may un-
derstand that because / have no safer a store
house these pockets do serve me for room to lay
up my goods in and though it be straight
prison. yet il is a storehouse big enough for
them, FOR l have many things of value yet
within it,
In 1910 ladies in the Strangers Gallery were
so uncommon a sight that Speaker Seymour on
one occasion interrupted important debate
with the exclamation. Il am sure / saw petit
coats After satisfying his suspicious he in
quired for what borough the ladies sat, and
with few more jests the House resumed its
business. The lie direct is rarely given and is
bound TO max a great sensation in any deliber-
stive body of dignity In 1923 Brougham so
criticised Canning for trucking for office that
Canning sprang TO his feet with the cry That
is false,'
The direct lie given in any quarter of the
House OF Commons is a startling thing; but
when it comes from one of the highest ministers
Of the crown il is a grave breach of decorum
indeed. deep hush fell upon the House At
length the Speaker, slowly rising said in "A low
tone that he hoped the Right Honorable Secre-
tary would retract the expression he had used
Such language. he said, was complete violation
of the customs and orders OF the House, and
he regretted that even in haste it should have
been used. Canning expressed his sorrow at
having infringed the decencies Of debate. but