Page:The life and letters of Sir John Henniker Heaton bt. (IA lifelettersofsi00port).pdf/48

 in the building, and what pride he felt in its glorious traditions. He was never tired of showing his friends over the beautiful old hall and the little chapel in the crypt, where his grandson, Peter Joseph Henniker Heaton, was christened.

The great stretch of water seen from the Terrace, with the old Palace of Lambeth across the way, held for him a never failing charm. In brief, he enjoyed every moment he spent in the House, and when he left he carried away recollections of a lifetime's happiness.

H. H. was a very regular attendant at the debates and could be relied on to be in his place when wanted for a snap division—a condition that requires more self-sacrifice than is usually credited to members.

There was one summer when the whips of both parties were on the alert to prevent any accidents happening, and on one occasion men were stationed outside the church where Sir Charles Cayzer's daughter was being married to Captain Madden—now Admiral Madden—to catch the members as they came out of church and send them back post haste to the Commons.

Mr Birreirs plaintive voice found an echo in the breast of many honourable Members when he spoke to his Bath audience:

"I may inadvertently have gone home for dinner occasionally; but, gentlemen, when you have to choose between an angry whip and an angry wife——?"

During his parliamentary career H. H. made several attempts to get the Whips to give members credit for attendance to their duties when paired, but he could never convince them that a pair is as effective as a vote.

A pair does not produce the impressive effect on