The Mother of Parliaments

Torrens' "Life of Melbourne," vol. ii. p. 375.

245

Grant's "Recollections of the House of Lords," p. 407. Lord Alvanley was the sporting peer who out hunting met a well-known West End artist in pastry who was having some trouble with his horse. "I can't hold him," said the confectioner, "he's so devilish hot!" "Why don't you ice him, Mr. Gunter?" said Lord Alvanley. – (Maddyn's "Chiefs of States," vol. ii. p. 214.)

246

Harford's "Recollections of Wilberforce," p. 93. An exception to this rule was made on November 4, 1909, when, in accordance with the general wish of the House, the Speaker permitted the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition to speak, although both had already joined in the debate on the previous night.

247

Sir Wilfred Lawson was once sarcastically referred to as "the honourable and amusing baronet" (See "Men and Manners," p. 152.)

248

"Orders, Proceedings, Punishments, and Privileges of the Commons" ("Harleian Miscellany," vol. v. p. 8).

249

"The House has a character of its own. Like all great public collections of men, it possesses a marked love of virtue and an abhorrence of vice. But among vices there is none which the House abhors in the same degree with obstinacy" ("Works and Correspondence," vol. iii. p. 215).

250

The last instance of this occurred on May 6, 1884, when Lord Waveney was addressing the House.

251

"I must say that it (the House of Commons) would be a better machine if men were a little less vain, and would adopt a policy of silence. If they would be anxious to get through the business of the House without so much anxiety for self-exhibition as I have sometimes observed, I think the House of Commons might do a good deal more work, and very much better work than it does at present." – Speech at the Fishmongers' Hall, April 27, 1881.

252

Grant's "Recollections," p. 53. Nowadays no member can make this motion more than once.

253

Molesworth's "History of the Reform Bill," p. 214.

254

See "Influence of Authority in Matters of Opinion," p. 219.

255

With regard to those well-worn expressions, the "sense" of the House and the "feeling" of the House, it has been stated that the House of Commons has more sense and feeling than any one who sits upon its benches: "The collective wisdom of Parliament exceeds the wisdom of any single head therein."

256

Pike's "Constitutional History," p. 267.

257

Peeresses may also claim this as a right.

258

Townsend's "History," vol. i. p. 253.

259

Raikes's "Journal," vol. i. p. 320.

260

"Table Talk," p. 109.

261

Hatsell's "Precedents," vol. ii. p. 241 n.

262

Lord Russell's "Essays and Sketches," p. 346.

263

Oldfield's "History of the House of Commons," vol. i. p. 420.

264

"Diary and Letters of Mme. D'Arblay," vol. iv.

265

D'Ewes' "Journal," p. 341.

266

Ward was expelled for forgery. He is referred to in Pope's "Dunciad" —

"As thick as eggs at Ward in pillory." —

Book iii. line 34.

267

"Lex Parliamentaria," pp. 94, 101.

268