]
Insipidity, weariness, and dulness marked the commencement of the
concluding week of the Home Rule Bill in the House. There was no private
business on the Monday, and accordingly for nearly a quarter of an
hour--it seemed infinitely longer to the little group of members
present--the House sat in sedate and solemn silence. Then commenced
questions, and in a moment half-a-dozen members were buzzing with
gnat-like pertinacity about the impassive figure of the
Postmaster-General. Mr. Arnold Morley was continually on his legs. For
instance, Mr. Bousfield wanted to know what rule there was which forbade
Post Office employes to approach the House of Commons directly, or to
sign a petition to the House with reference to any grievance, after
having unsuccessfully petitioned the Postmaster-General. Mr. Morley
replied laconically, "There is no such rule." Then several of the Tory
members attempted to corner Sir U.K. Shuttleworth about the quantity of
coals consumed in the "Majestic" while going at full speed. Sir Edward
Harland was cautious, and Mr. Gibson Bowles, whose rising was the signal
for derisive cheers, was pertinacious. The Secretary to the Admiralty,
always dignified, was grave and serious.
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