Page:Manners and customs of ye Englyshe.djvu/41



O the Houſe of Commons, where an Iriſh Debate on the Rate-in-Aid Bill, which did make me drowſy. The Houſe in Committee; the Iriſh Members moving all Sorts of frivolous Amendments, abuſing the Government, and quarrelling among themſelves. did accuſe of being ready to Vote away other People's Money becauſe he had none of his own, and  did ſay that he never ſaw fuch Miſery as on  Eſtate; whereupon  up in a Rage, and did deny the Fact with vehement Geſtures, flouriſhing his Fiſts gallantly. Then did fall foul of, one that had been a Captain, for queſtioning the Chancellor of the Exchequer concerning young  Place; and did make a Joke upon  Muſtachios: whereat much Laughter. But a ſmall Joke do go a great Way in the Houſe of Commons. Before the Debate, marching up one of the ſide Galleries, and taking the Meaſure of the Houſe through his Eye-Glaſs: a ſharp delicate little Man, with a mild Voice, but do carry himſelf vtately. Methought his Obſervations amuſed him, for he ſmirked a little, and looked as if he knew the Cuſtomers he had to deal with. But to ſee him and the Home Secretary and the Chancellor of the Exchequer trying to perſuade the